Is Lester Holt leaving NBC? What we know as Nightly News anchor steps down

Journalist and anchor Lester Holt is leaving NBC Nightly News. After anchoring the show for ten years, Holt revealed in a memo to his fellow staff members at NBC that he would be moving on from his role hosting NBC Nightly News after the start of summer. Holt announced,

“After 10 years, 17 if you include my years on the weekends, the time has come for me to step away from my role as anchor of Nightly News. It has truly been the honor of a lifetime to work with each of you every day, keeping journalism as our true north and our viewers at the center of everything we do.”

However, fans of Holt would be pleased to know that the anchor does not plan on stepping down from his role hosting NBC’s presentation, Dateline, which is known for its investigations of truly frightening crime stories and true crime events that make the headlines. Holt assured the staff of NBC that he would be transitioning to a full-time role anchoring Dateline.

Holt said,

“I’m excited to report I will be continuing as anchor of Dateline NBC, but for the first time in a fulltime capacity whereby I will be expanding my footprint on the broadcast and crafting Dateline hours on subjects I care deeply about. I am thrilled to be able to work more closely with my enormously talented friends at Dateline as the broadcast continues to grow and attract new viewers in new places.”

Lester Holt’s memo recalled nostalgically the start of his career as a crime reporter in California, saying,

“A smile comes to my face when I think that with Nightly News, and Dateline, I have now anchored two of the most successful and iconic television news programs in broadcast history. As a 20-year-old radio reporter on the police beat chasing breaking news around San Francisco, I could never have imagined my career path would unfold in the way it has. What an amazing ride.”

Janelle Rodriguez, NBC News' Executive Vice President of Programming, acknowledged Lester Holt’s contributions during the pandemic, when Holt’s Nightly News provided the country with a voice that could be counted on for comfort. She added,

“Lester is the beating heart of this news organization.”

Lester Holt took up the reins of NBC Nightly News after journalist Brian Williams was forced to step down in 2015.

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Lester Holt was rejected by NBC in the 70s

Viewers who have known Lester Holt as a household name through his work on NBC Nightly News and Dateline would be surprised to know that the anchor was once rejected from the news organization.

When Lester Holt appeared on Late Night With Seth Meyers in 2018, it was revealed that Holt was once rejected by the very news organization that he works for now. Meyers brought out the letter of rejection that Holt received from NBC’s flagship, WNBC, back in 1977. On having saved the letter till now, Holt joked,

“I’m still just a little bitter.”

The letter, which was displayed by Meyers, read,

“Thank you for your interest in WNBC. I was impressed with your credentials. However, it’s not exactly what we’re looking for at this time. Good luck with your career.”

For context, Holt had applied to WNBC just two months out of high school. Holt advanced in his career as a journalist to become a beloved television personality the audience can’t get enough of even after 10 years as a week-night host.

For now, viewers can hope to see Lester Holt on air on NBC Nightly News till summer. Apart from that, viewers can catch Holt on the February 21 Dateline episode, "A Walk Through The Woods."