In a year already marked by seismic shifts in the NBC news universe, the Today show—and the broader NBC family—is now facing another emotional farewell. Just weeks after longtime anchor Hoda Kotb stepped away from Today following nearly two decades on air, the network is once again grappling with the loss of a pillar of its journalism legacy. Lester Holt, the steady, trusted voice of NBC Nightly News, announced his departure from the broadcast after more than ten years at its helm. And although he won’t be leaving NBC entirely, the news has sent ripples through the halls of Studio 1A and beyond.

Holt delivered the announcement in a heartfelt message to NBC Nightly News staff on February 24, calling his years in the anchor chair “the honor of a lifetime.” His words—gracious, humble, and quietly emotional—reflected what colleagues have long described as the trademark Holt demeanor: calm, steady, and unshakably focused on the mission of journalism. But his next revelation surprised even industry insiders. While stepping away from Nightly News, Holt revealed he is not retiring from the screen. Instead, he’s returning full-time to Dateline NBC, where he has anchored since 2011, but now with an expanded role that will allow him to shape deeper, more personal reporting.

“I’m excited… to craft Dateline hours on subjects I care deeply about,” Holt wrote. It was a signal that this next chapter may be his most ambitious yet.

The announcement immediately drew emotional reactions from across the NBC family, particularly from those who know him best—his former Today colleagues. As the network processes change after change, their tributes underscore just how deeply Holt’s presence has shaped the culture and camaraderie of the newsroom.

Savannah Guthrie, who has stepped in for Holt many times at the Nightly News desk, shared a personal note on Instagram, recalling historic moments they weathered together. “Congrats… on an amazing decade and the new chapter about to unfold!” she wrote. “Always the class act.” Her words served as both celebration and a reminder of the profound trust audiences have long placed in Holt’s measured reporting.

Dylan Dreyer echoed that sentiment in her own tribute. The Today meteorologist reflected on Holt’s role during one of the most intimidating times in her career—her first appearance on Weekend Today. Rather than amplify the pressure, Holt defused it. “He made me feel so comfortable from day one,” she wrote. For Dreyer, he wasn’t just a news legend—he was a mentor, a calming force during hurricanes, breaking-news chaos, and even the lighthearted scientific segments they filmed for Nightly Kids. Her message captured what so many viewers see but rarely understand: behind the authority and gravitas is a colleague whose kindness has shaped careers.

Even Hoda Kotb, navigating her own major life transition after exiting Today, took time to honor Holt with a playful but affectionate message. She joked that the only thing left for him now is to “move to the burbs and get a minivan,” before sending him love.

But Holt’s exit is not the only major shake-up at NBC this month. In an unexpected twist, Joy Reid, longtime host of MSNBC’s The ReidOut, was also let go from the network on the very same day. In a memo to staff, MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler thanked Reid for her decade of contributions and praised her award-winning work. Reid responded with grace, thanking fans and colleagues for their support. The timing of the two departures—one voluntary, one not—has sparked industry chatter about broader changes coming to the NBC and MSNBC lineups.

To longtime viewers, the sudden series of exits may feel unsettling—Hoda Kotb leaving Today, Joy Reid exiting MSNBC, and now Holt saying farewell to Nightly News. Yet insiders note that Holt’s shift to Dateline reflects a deepening commitment rather than a retreat. As streaming platforms reshape how audiences consume journalism, Dateline continues to thrive, attracting new viewers and growing beyond traditional broadcast boundaries. Holt’s expanded role signals that NBC sees its future not just in its iconic morning and evening shows, but in long-form reporting that resonates across generations.

Within the Today family, however, the emotional impact is undeniable. Lester Holt was more than a familiar face—he was a symbol of stability. A co-anchor on Weekend Today for over a decade, he forged close bonds with many of the show’s biggest names, including Guthrie, Dreyer, Kotb, Craig Melvin, and Al Roker. The warmth of their messages speaks volumes about the void he leaves behind in the day-to-day newsroom dynamic.

Still, there is comfort—and even excitement—in knowing that Holt won’t be disappearing from screens. Instead, he is stepping into a role that seems tailor-made for this stage of his career: deep dives, investigative storytelling, and the chance to spend more time on subjects that matter most to him.

As the network navigates this next chapter, one thing is certain: the departures may mark the end of several eras, but they also open the door for new voices, new leadership, and new possibilities. For viewers who have grown up waking to Today and ending the night with Holt’s familiar voice, the shift may be bittersweet, but Holt’s next phase promises to carry the same integrity, heart, and steadiness that have defined his career.

And for NBC’s evolving future, that may be exactly what the moment calls for.