Lester Holt, a familiar face on American television screens for decades, is embarking on a new chapter in his distinguished career. After a decade at the helm of NBC Nightly News, Holt is transitioning to a full-time role at Dateline, the network’s long-running and highly successful newsmagazine program. In a recent interview with Variety, Holt candidly discussed his decision to step down from the anchor chair, his aspirations for the future, and his perspective on the evolving landscape of broadcast journalism.
Holt’s departure from Nightly News marks the end of an era. He took over the anchor role in 2015, during a tumultuous period for the network following the suspension of his predecessor, Brian Williams. Williams had been embroiled in controversy after it was revealed that he had embellished his experiences covering various news events, including falsely claiming to have been in a helicopter that was hit by enemy fire during the Iraq War.
Reflecting on the circumstances surrounding his ascent to the anchor position, Holt acknowledged the unusual nature of the situation. "I don’t want to say it was a scary time, but it was an unsettling time," he said. "No one wants to necessarily get a job on the back of a crisis, if you want to call it that. But it was what it was. And some of the best advice that I ever got was to be ready for doors to open at times you don’t expect."
Despite the challenging circumstances, Holt quickly established himself as a steady and reliable presence on Nightly News. He guided the broadcast through numerous significant news events, including presidential elections, natural disasters, and social unrest. His calm demeanor and commitment to objective reporting earned him the respect of viewers and colleagues alike.
However, Holt revealed that he never envisioned himself remaining in the anchor chair indefinitely. "It wasn’t like one moment of epiphany," he explained. "I never saw myself doing this job forever. I decided that I needed to come off the Nightly gig, but I still had gas in the tank."
At 65, Holt is far from ready to retire. He expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to dedicate his full attention to Dateline, a program he has been involved with for many years. "People say it’s been a great run, it’s like, well, I’m still running," he quipped.
Holt is eager to explore new avenues of storytelling at Dateline. He emphasized the program’s capacity for in-depth reporting and long-form narratives. "We’re still doing journalism, but these are hour and two-hour shows we’re doing," he said. "Some of the stories you’ll see me doing will be months in the making." He explained that he will have more time to delve into complex issues and provide viewers with a more comprehensive understanding of the events shaping the world. Holt looks forward to flexing some different news muscles, as Dateline allows for more comprehensive storytelling.
In March, NBC announced that Tom Llamas would succeed Holt as the anchor of Nightly News. Llamas brings a wealth of experience to the role, having spent over 25 years in broadcast journalism. He has served as a fill-in anchor for Holt on Nightly News since 2021 and also anchors the streaming newscast Top Story with Tom Llamas, which he will continue on weeknights. Llamas previously worked at ABC, where he anchored World News Tonight on weekends and served as a fill-in anchor for David Muir.
As Holt prepares for his new role at Dateline, he is keenly aware of the challenges facing the media industry. He recognizes the need to adapt to changing viewing habits and to reach audiences on new platforms. "The biggest challenge about joining Dateline is being where viewers are going to be — not where they are today — where they’re going to be in two weeks, in a month from now," he said. "I think that’s what all of us in this industry right now are focused on."
Despite the challenges, Holt remains optimistic about the future of journalism. He believes that there will always be a demand for credible, fact-based reporting. "We firmly believe there’s always going to be an audience for a fact-based, tell-it-like-it-is, smart-analysis kind of a broadcast," he said.
Holt also expressed his continued support for Nightly News and the traditional format of the evening newscast. "I always smile when people, even today, predict the death of the format," he said. "I do think that there is value in this tradition. And what is it, 15 to 18 million people kind of validate that, watching the three major newscasts every night."
Lester Holt’s transition to Dateline marks a significant moment in his career and in the history of NBC News. His departure from Nightly News leaves a void that Tom Llamas will undoubtedly work to fill. As Holt embarks on this new chapter, he brings with him a wealth of experience, a commitment to journalistic integrity, and a passion for storytelling that will undoubtedly serve him well in his new role. His focus on long-form narratives and in-depth investigations promises to enrich Dateline’s already impressive legacy. Holt’s move reflects a broader trend in the media industry, as news organizations seek to adapt to changing audience preferences and embrace new platforms for delivering information. He remains a firm believer in the importance of traditional journalism and the enduring appeal of fact-based reporting.
