Tom Llamas Takes Over as Anchor of NBC Nightly News

New York, NY — Tom Llamas is set to become the new anchor of “NBC Nightly News” starting Friday, May 30, at 6:30 p.m. Eastern. He replaces Lester Holt, who has anchored the program for over a decade. Llamas, 45, will also continue to host his streaming news program during this transition.

In a statement, Llamas expressed excitement about his new role, saying, “I look forward to working with the world-class journalists at ‘Nightly News’ and ‘Top Story’ to bring viewers the most important stories every night.”

Financial considerations played a significant role in the decision for Llamas to step in as anchor. Holt, who earned around $10 million annually, is being succeeded by Llamas, whose expected salary is about $2.5 million. This difference in pay made Llamas an attractive choice as NBC aims to manage its budget while keeping strong leadership in its newsroom.

Llamas has an extensive background in journalism, starting as an intern at a Telemundo-affiliated station in Miami. He later worked as a production assistant at NBC before moving up the ladder through local reporting in New York. He eventually became chief national affairs correspondent and weekend anchor at ABC News, where he garnered considerable experience.

As a senior national correspondent, Llamas frequently filled in on “Nightly News” and contributed to numerous NBC platforms. NBC executives have praised him for his “journalistic excellence, passionate storytelling, and unyielding integrity.” He played a key role in growing NBC News NOW, the network’s leading streaming news service.

Lester Holt announced that his departure from the evening news format is motivated by a desire to focus on more in-depth reporting. He emphasized that moving away from the daily demands of the anchor role would allow him more flexibility for longform storytelling.

At 65, Holt has served as anchor since 2015, covering significant events like the political rise of various leaders, major international crises, and numerous pivotal stories over the years. While Holt is stepping back from the evening anchor chair, he will continue in his role as the primary anchor for NBC News.