Hoda Kotb a longtime co-anchor on Today will leave her post after a lengthy career on Friday January 10 after making her mark on the network. Jenna Bush Hager alongside special guests will continue in the fourth hour re-branded to Today With Jenna & Friends for the week starting January 13 following Kotb’s official exit date from Today and Today fourth hour programming . Kotb also announced her departure to dedicate time to her two adopted daughters after many successful broadcast years.
Rotating Guest Hosts Including Taraji P. Henson Eva Longoria Keke Palmer Fill Co-Anchor Spot on Today
Celebrated actresses Taraji P. Henson Eva Longoria and Keke Palmer join Jenna Bush Hager as temporary hosts on Today during the week of January 13 on the shows newly re-branded fourth hour program to celebrate Kotb’s work. These guest appearances follow the announcement of Hoda Kotb’s last show on both Today and its fourth hour scheduled on Friday January 10 that will be marked with significant fanfare and celebration to commemorate her broadcast legacy at NBC news.
Craig Melvin Assumes Co-Anchor Duties While ‘Today With Jenna & Friends’ Launches New Theme Song
Craig Melvin is scheduled to assume Hoda Kotb's role within the 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. hours while Jenna Bush Hager will work with various co-hosts till NBC finalizes their decision regarding who will hold her chair permanently. A new theme song debuted by Bush Hager on Monday triggered tears from Kotb who voiced excitement for Bush Hager’s leadership through new broadcasting chapter. The new program "Today with Jenna & Friends" highlights how the network seeks to rebrand with these large staffing shifts from key anchor personalities .
Kotb's Heartfelt Farewell Reflects on Priorities and Legacy at NBC After Milestone Birthday
Hoda Kotb disclosed that after serious consideration she chose to resign in order to spend greater quality time with daughters Haley and Hope. She released a public statement sharing her feelings including that her sixtieth birthday celebration helped her reach decision and focus more attention to her children and family life instead of her work at the broadcast network . Kotb noted a career with NBC News spanning nearly three decades particularly in Today’s fourth hour. Her initial fourth hour partnership with Kathie Lee Gifford has long since ended since the change in 2019 when Jenna Bush Hager took over the seat in that time slot.
Hoda Kotb's 'Hoda-bration' Celebrates Her Legacy Prior to Departure From Her Anchor Spot
Jenna Bush Hager made commitments for the final show stating a 'Hoda-bration' is in progress to celebrate her career as well as the life transitions to new and fulfilling endeavors while noting they would be filming with a live studio audience present on Friday. Hager highlighted planned “big surprises” for Kotb’s sendoff in December ensuring a memorable departure. Jamie Lee Curtis who previously was a guest star on the program brought Kotb to tears when the Everything Everywhere All at Once star gave kind comments toward the morning program anchor. This episode provided viewers emotional sendoffs from celebrity guests highlighting their respect and love for the program along with Kotb.
Kotb's Departure Signals Shift For Long Term Broadcasting Team After Nearly Two Decades
Hoda Kotb declared her leave from the Today program through a statement in a letter to her colleagues on September 26 2024 noting the information was a surprise to everyone except coworkers and production staff who worked closest with the veteran journalist. The statement highlights Hoda’s love of her team noting how challenging this career transition is but still the right one for her and family at the present time of her life. She also stressed her children Haley Joy and Hope Catherine who were adopted respectively in 2017 and 2019 deserve more attention as her children were very late in life compared to her peers and therefore it’s important for them to be her main focus.
Hoda Kotb became a staple co-anchor for the Today program alongside Savannah Guthrie in 2018 plus worked at fourth hour since 2007 alongside Jenna Bush Hager who joined in 2019 following Kathie Lee Gifford's own departure previously. Craig Melvin the main replacement at Today for the 7 a.m and 8 am slots takes over with Guthrie’s co anchoring following Hoda Kotb’s departure while the network continues seeking options for the shows fourth hour segment. The 2018 pairing of Hoda Kotb alongside Savannah Guthrie created an all female anchor team and broke historic ground when that transition had occurred within NBC studios and within news broadcasts globally. Hoda Kotb has worked in many different areas with the network showcasing diversity of her many broadcast talents.
Personal Choices Influenced Kotb's Career Exit Highlighting Importance of Work/Life Balance
Hoda Kotb will leave the show to focus on time with daughters Haley Joy and Hope Catherine who she adopted during 2017 and 2019 respectively as primary reason for change. Kotb noted that turning 60 made her rethink life values and where she wanted to allocate time while focusing less time waking early and balancing work life with personal obligations. She acknowledged the limitations of giving maximum effort to all aspects at same time so had to pick which part of life needed maximum dedication as she feels she does not have enough time to pursue excellence at work as well as personal life with equal and sufficient efforts. She admitted feeling conflicted between her personal needs of her family along with career expectations from professional life, but felt confident making a difficult decision when leaving NBC
Farewell Festivities Highlighted with Hoda-bration and Sorority Reunion with Tri Delta sisters
Today began ‘Hoda-bration’ Monday January 6 for Hoda Kotb to celebrate her career prior to departure on Friday January 10 . The ‘Hoda-bration’ celebrations featured over seventy of her Virginia Tech Tri Delta sorority sisters as they attended to celebrate at Rockefeller Center where the program filmed a live episode showcasing an emotional send off . Kotb received personalized presents including paintings from famous authors adding personal touching aspects to farewell week events for her final segments of work.
Hoda Kotb had stated to many viewers that she was already well aware of the approaching week but she was truly impressed that the special Tri Delta sorority group came to support with a group of long time Tri Delta sisters after receiving very short notice from producers. Even the Hokie Bird mascot appeared to personally greet her which further touched the news anchors heart during the public live showing. Those attending were mostly fellow alums who traveled across country showing solidarity and friendship. They gave her hugs gifts and a final special farewell to the public figure as this segment aired.
Alumni Testimonials and Future Wellness Focus Showcase Kotb's Positive Impact and New Plans
During Monday’s program Michelle Buteau actress and comedian remembered Kotb's personal acts of kindness when Buteau worked overnights at WNBC when no one else made her feel important until Hoda Kotb made effort to treat her like a real person despite no job title or seniority. Michelle stated how those kind acts impacted her life personally as well as professionally which brought tears to both parties during the broadcast adding emotion and personal elements of her broadcast story.. Hoda Kotb plans to move to the suburbs with her children to give them a special upbringing while focusing more energy on a wellness program that includes a possible app as well as hosted retreat events to benefit all of her viewers. Kotb shared that she was excited at prospect of focusing more time in her personal life but also working with a wellness and health based organization in her coming years . Virginia Tech marching band surprised Hoda by a musical performance followed by her Tri Delta sorority sisters and the Hokie Bird mascot creating a very heartfelt and emotional moment in the studios final days with Hoda.