NBC News has tapped award-winning journalist Tom Llamas as the next anchor and managing editor of its flagship program, NBC Nightly News, with his tenure set to begin this summer, the network announced today. Janelle Rodriguez, NBC News Executive Vice President of Programming, revealed the appointment, noting that Llamas will also continue anchoring Top Story with Tom Llamas on NBC News NOW each weeknight. The move marks a significant milestone in Llamas’ 25-year career with NBC, where he has emerged as a versatile and trusted voice in broadcast journalism.
“Tom has the winning combination of journalistic excellence, passionate storytelling, and unyielding integrity—all characteristics that have long been trademarks of NBC Nightly News,” Rodriguez said. She praised his pivotal role in transforming NBC News NOW into the leading streaming news network, crediting him with introducing the NBC brand to a younger, digital-savvy audience. Llamas’ dual role underscores his versatility, bridging traditional TV with the streaming era.
Llamas succeeds Lester Holt, who last week announced his departure from the Nightly News anchor chair after a decade to focus full-time on Dateline. Reflecting on the transition, Llamas expressed reverence for his predecessor: “Anchoring NBC Nightly News is a profound honor and one that carries tremendous responsibility. Lester Holt is a great man and one of the most trusted broadcasters of our time. Just like Lester, I promise to be devoted to our viewers and dedicated to the truth.”
A Miami native and son of Cuban refugees, Llamas began his career at NBC as an overnight production assistant and campaign embed in 2003. After stints at local stations like WTVJ in South Florida and WNBC in New York—where he honed his skills as an anchor and investigative reporter—he rejoined NBC in 2021 as a senior national correspondent. Since then, he has anchored Top Story, led breaking news coverage, and filled in regularly on Nightly News and TODAY. His marathon broadcasts, including the 2024 Election Night and the September 2024 Presidential Debate, propelled NBC News NOW to record ratings.
Llamas’ reporting resume is extensive, spanning global crises like the Israel-Hamas war and Ukraine invasion, domestic tragedies like the Baltimore bridge collapse, and high-profile interviews with figures like Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy. Before returning to NBC, he served as ABC’s chief national affairs correspondent and weekend anchor for World News Tonight. A Loyola University graduate with degrees in broadcast journalism, drama, and speech, Llamas lives in New York with his wife and three children.
Under Holt, NBC Nightly News recently hitting a six-month high in the coveted A25-54 demographic. With Llamas at the helm, NBC aims to build on that legacy while leveraging his streaming success to reach the 137 million Americans NBC News engages monthly across platforms, according to Comscore Xmedia.
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