After a distinguished 14-year tenure, Lester Holt signed off as the anchor of NBC Nightly News on Friday, May 30, 2025, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the network's flagship evening broadcast. Holt, known for his class, objectivity, and credibility, brought comfort and empathy to viewers during some of the country’s darkest moments, including the pandemic, mass shootings, and natural disasters. "I'm so grateful for your trust around here," Holt told his audience during his final broadcast. "Facts matter, words matter, journalism matters, and you matter. Over the last decade, we have shared some dark and harrowing days and nights of our country... That’s why I often like to leave you with something to smile about, moments that reassure and connect us."
Although stepping down from the anchor desk, Holt will continue to contribute to NBC News as the host of "Dateline," ensuring his presence remains a steady one within the network.
Taking the reins is Tom Llamas, an NBC News veteran and the son of Cuban immigrants, who officially began as the new anchor on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Llamas’ appointment is historic as he becomes the first Latino to anchor a daily English-language network evening newscast, a milestone he regards with pride but also with a focus on merit. "I don’t think I got this job because I’m Hispanic; I think I got this job because I’m the best person for the job," Llamas told The Los Angeles Times. "To become the anchor of ‘Nightly News’ tells me that the American dream is still very alive."
Llamas’ journey into journalism began early. Raised in Florida, he started working in newsrooms at the age of 15 through an internship at Telemundo in Miami. His parents, who immigrated to the United States with little and barely spoke English, instilled in him a passion for current events and a relentless work ethic. "My parents were always into current events, and they gave that to me. They taught me about hard work and diligence," Llamas shared. His career has spanned major global and domestic stories, from covering the early days of the war in Gaza and the orphan crisis in Ukraine to reporting on the death of Pope Francis and the ascension of the first U.S.-born pope. Domestically, he has been on the ground after a deadly New Year's mass killing in New Orleans, at the Super Bowl in Los Angeles, and during hurricanes in Florida.
As he steps into his new role, Llamas is eager to make his mark while respecting the legacy of his predecessor. In an appearance on TODAY before his debut, he emphasized continuity: "It's a beautiful show, viewers know what to expect, it's why millions tune in, they've been tuning in for decades. Lester has built a beautiful broadcast." He plans to gradually put his own stamp on the program, launching investigative initiatives such as a franchise focused on the insurance industry, which has been a challenge for many homeowners, especially in Central Florida. "Folks here in Central Florida know it's hard to get housing insurance, and when you do get housing insurance and a hurricane hits, sometimes you're not covered," he explained.
Alongside hard-hitting journalism, Llamas wants to highlight uplifting stories through a segment titled "There's Good News Tonight," aiming to bring Americans together around shared positive experiences. "We're going to have all the breaking news. We're going to have all the great international coverage. Everything that you expect from Nightly News is still going to be there," he assured viewers.
Llamas is also continuing his role as anchor of "Top Story," a live, hourlong newscast on NBC News Now, the network’s free streaming platform. This show has already earned an Emmy nomination, a testament to its quality and impact. "Right now, in this country, you’ve got to be everywhere," Llamas said. "I didn’t want to lose what we’ve established for three and a half years. We just got nominated for an Emmy up against amazing legacy shows like ‘Nightly News,’ ‘ABC World News Tonight’ and the ‘CBS Evening News.’ To be in that circle with a streaming show that is three years old, that’s been one of the greatest achievements of my career."
Taking on the anchor role comes with significant demands, as Holt warned Llamas in private conversations. "Your life is going to change," Holt told him. "Everyone’s going to want a piece of you and there’s going to be a lot of demands, even more than you’ve ever experienced." Llamas echoed this reality, describing the balancing act between family and work, especially when breaking news calls him away from his children’s school events and little league games. "My wife and my kids have known that sometimes I’ll be at a little league game or I’ll be at a school play, and I have to run and jump on a plane because there’s breaking news. And they understand that their dad does that. But we always have conversations about it. And it’s tough," he said.
In terms of his on-air persona, Llamas is still considering what his signature sign-off might be, following Holt’s memorable "Take care of yourselves and each other." "I think if something happens organically I will," Llamas said, adding that his father jokingly suggested, "Why don't you say at the end of the newscast, I'll see you at home mom.' And I'm like, 'Dad … that's not going to work.'"
Despite the changing landscape of network evening news, with audiences smaller than in the 1970s and 1980s, the three major networks still combine for around 17 million viewers nightly. NBC Nightly News typically ranks second in the ratings behind ABC’s World News Tonight but ahead of CBS Evening News. This enduring viewership underscores the continued importance of trusted, fact-based journalism in an era often dominated by opinion-driven cable news.
Llamas expressed a deep commitment to the viewers, emphasizing trust and service. "I want viewers never to forget that we’re out there working for them. I truly believe that even though I work for NBC, I work for the viewer. I really want that to come through, because at the end of the day, viewers have to trust you," he told Variety.
As NBC Nightly News transitions to new leadership, the network and its viewers can look forward to a continuation of the rigorous journalism and heartfelt storytelling that Lester Holt exemplified, now infused with Tom Llamas’ fresh perspective and dedication. The American dream, as reflected in Llamas’ rise and his commitment to truth and service, remains alive and well on the airwaves.
