As a long-time fan of “TODAY,” I must say that the upcoming changes have me both excited and a little nostalgic. Hoda Kotb has been a staple of the morning show for over a decade, and her departure will certainly leave a void. However, the new format with Jenna Bush Hager and friends sounds intriguing.
The third hour of NBC’s TODAY show, which is set to debut among other TV premieres in 2025, will undergo changes following Hoda Kotb’s announced departure. Speculation about her replacement has begun, and NBC News has officially announced who will be taking over her seat at the desk. This gives viewers a clearer picture of what lies ahead.
A Name Change Is Coming
Starting from January 13, 2025, the established morning program’s third hour is set to adopt a new name. The fresh moniker will be “TODAY with Jenna & Friends“.
Despite speculations suggesting Jenna Hager Bush was planning an early departure following Kotb’s announcement, she intends to stay for an extended period, at least in the near future. While she won’t be inviting her close friends onto the show, instead she will feature a diverse roster of esteemed journalists and personalities who will add both an entertaining and informative dimension to the hourly broadcast.
Who Will Be Replacing Koda Kotb?
Previously announced, Hoda Kotb is set to leave her spot at the TODAY desk on Friday, January 10. Starting from the following Monday, a new version of the news hour will commence. In this new setup, Craig Melvin will officially take over as co-anchor alongside Savannah Guthrie across three of the show’s four one-hour segments. This expansion means that Melvin will join Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, and Dylan Dreyer in the third hour of the show.
Melvin, who has been a consistent presence since 2018, is set to join Jenna Bush Hager during the fourth hour, and it seems he’ll receive an increased salary in this new role. It’s not just Melvin, though; each broadcast will feature new familiar faces rotating in and out, creating a dynamic lineup that fans can expect for some time.
Hager likened welcoming the fresh co-hosts to diving back into dating after being with Kotb for over a decade. Speaking to NBC News, she admitted that she’s been a committed relationship person for a long time, having not dated in two decades. Regarding the new setup, she expressed her feelings as follows:
You’re all familiar with the latest craze called “roster dating”, right? That’s the approach I’ll be taking. . . . [Anticipate] an array of fascinating guests, friends, and family who are an integral part of this program, and they’re tagging along for the journey with us.
Currently, no guest hosts for upcoming shows have been disclosed yet. However, it’s hoped that we’ll share some of their names prior to the passing of the holiday season.
Will TODAY Stick With Guests Hosts?
Even with Hoda Kotb announcing well in advance that she’d be exiting her TODAY gig, finding someone to permanently head up a morning show like this is obviously a difficult choice, so it will take time to make sure execs have found the right choice. But NBC did previously confirm that the end-goal will be securing a long-term replacement, saying in an Instagram post:
Starting from January 13, 2025, the fourth hour of TODAY will be known as TODAY with Jenna & Friends. During this period, various friends will step in to co-host until a permanent host is appointed.
Every weekday morning starting at 5:00 A.M., you’ll find TODAY broadcast on NBC, running until 9:00 A.M. If you have a Peacock subscription, you can also stream this show.
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2024-11-25 19:07