NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Veteran NBC host and news anchor Craig Melvin has been tapped to as co-host of the 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. hours of 鈥淭oday.鈥�
Melvin is a familiar face to 鈥淭oday鈥� show viewers. He currently hosts the show鈥檚 third hour and is the news anchor during the first two hours. He will continue hosting the third hour with Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer and Sheinelle Jones.
鈥淗e鈥檚 been an integral and beloved part of our family," Libby Leist, senior vice president of 鈥淭oday,鈥� "From breaking news coverage in the field, to presidential interviews, to multiple Olympics and Super Bowls, Craig鈥檚 shown he has the talent and the range to cover all that we do here at 鈥楾oday.鈥� And he does it without ever losing that Southern charm.鈥�
Kotb鈥檚 last official day at the show will be Jan. 10. She announced in September that she was leaving 鈥淭oday,鈥� which generally runs third in the morning ratings to ABC鈥檚 鈥淕ood Morning America.鈥� NBC News hasn't revealed the pick for Kotb鈥檚 other role, co-anchoring the 10 a.m. hour, which she does with Jenna Bush Hager.
鈥淚鈥檝e enjoyed just a lifetime of blessings and this is the latest,鈥� Melvin said Thursday on air. Of Kotb and Guthrie, he said: 鈥淵ou guys are the sisters I never thought I needed.鈥� And he said of Kotb 鈥� 鈥測ou saved the show,鈥� which, while hyperbolic, was a reference to her taking over hurriedly after the
Melvin's wife, sportscaster Lindsay Czarniak, who was host of NBC鈥檚 coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on the USA Network,
鈥淭he opportunity to watch the person you love see their dream come true is such a gift. I will never forget this day and the crowds鈥� excitement to share your good news,鈥� she wrote.
Mark Kennedy And David Bauder, The Associated Press
