Craig Melvin will replace Hoda Kotb as co-anchor on ‘Today’

Craig Melvin has been named as Hoda Kotb’s replacement on Today.

The much anticipated announcement was made during the morning show’s Thursday broadcast. Craig Melvin, a news anchor for Today and co-host of the 3rd hour of Today, shared the news with his coworkers and viewers.

“I am beyond excited and grateful,” Melvin said. “I’ve enjoyed just a lifetime of blessings and this is the latest in a long line of blessings.”

Melvin, who joined the morning show in 2018, will begin his co-hosting duties alongside Savannah Guthrie on January 13.

In September, Kotb, 60, shocked everyone with her decision to depart Today after 26 years with NBC News. Since then there has been much speculation about who will replace the longtime co-anchor of Today.

Thursday morning that answer was finally revealed.

As Melvin shared the news, Kotb said he was “literally made for this job.”

“You have all the things this job needs,” she said. “You are the right person for it.”

In a statement, Libby Leist, senior vice president of Today, said Melvin has “been an integral and beloved part of our family. From breaking news coverage in the field, to presidential interviews, to multiple Olympics and Super Bowls, Craig’s shown he has the talent and the range to cover all that we do here at TODAY. And he does it without ever losing that Southern charm.”

Come January Melvin will have a full plate. Melvin will host the 7am and 8am hours of Today alongside Guthrie as well as continue to co-anchor 3rd Hour of Today with Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer and Sheinelle Jones.

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