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New York (CNN) — Craig Melvin will begin his tenure as the co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show Monday, following the departure of Hoda Kotb.
Melvin is a familiar face to “Today” viewers, having been with the program in various roles for nearly 14 years.
Savannah Guthrie announced the news in November, saying that Today staff “broke into applause” and it was one of the “most popular decisions NBC News has ever made.”
Melvin, 45, said he was “beyond excited and grateful” for the new role.
He is an “integral and beloved part of our family,” Libby Leist, senior vice president of Today, said in a statement. “From breaking news coverage in the field, to presidential interviews, to multiple Olympics and Super Bowls, Craig’s shown he has the talent and the range to cover all that we do here at Today. And he does it without ever losing that Southern charm.”
Kotb announced in September that she was stepping down from the co-anchor role after nearly a decade-long stint. “It was time for me to turn the page at 60,” Kotb previously said. “I decided this is the right time for me to move on.
Kotb told Melvin in her final show Friday that he’s earned his new co-anchor position and joked that she will be “dead asleep” on Monday when he starts.
She also co-hosted the 10 am hour with Jenna Bush Hager. NBC announced said that the fourth hour will be renamed “Jenna & Friends” featuring a stint of guest co-hosts — including actors Keke Palmer, Eva Longoria and Scarlett Johansson — until a permanent co-host is named.
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Currently in Columbia
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