Who will replace Hoda Kotb on the “Today” show? NBC Insider explains

Hoda Kotb surprised viewers by announcing her impending exit Today show after 17 years on Thursday, September 26, and behind the scenes talk of her replacement has already begun.

“The big contender that everyone on the network is talking about is Laura Jarrett “She really has a great chance,” an NBC insider tells us exclusively Us weekly. “She is the anchor of This weekend; She's like a lawyer [Kotb’s coanchor] savannah [Guthrie]. She is a treasure in Today show who has risen very quickly. “

Laura, 40, her mother, Valerie Jarrettserved as Barack Obama's senior advisor during his tenure, has worked for NBC News since 2022. She became co-chair of the Today Replaced the show's Saturday coverage in September 2023 Kristen Welker. One of her most memorable on-air moments came in May when she broke the news that former President Donald Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business documents. Laura read all 34 counts live on air.

While Laura appears to be a likely candidate to succeed Kotb, 60, there are other possible scenarios as well. Craig Melvin or Carson Dalywhich currently are Today Co-hosts could be moved up to the co-host spot.

Related: The “Today” show hosts react to Hoda Kotb’s surprise exit

The news of Hoda Kotb's exit from the Today show is bittersweet for her co-hosts. “I just turned 60 and it was a monumental moment for me when I turned 60 because I started thinking about this decade: What does this decade mean? What does it hold? What will it have for me?” Kotb, […]

“The other possibility is that they could move around anchors,” the NBC insider says. “They could pair Craig with Savannah, or they could do it [3rd Hour Today cohost] Sheneille [Jones] with Savannah.”

Other newer NBC stars who could potentially be tapped for the position may be out of the running as they have recently moved on to other gigs. The 48-year-old Welker, for example, started out as a host Meet the press in 2023 during Halle Jackson was named anchor of NBC Nightly News'Sunday broadcasts in May.

All eyes are on NBC's younger personalities – political and national correspondents Jacob Soboroff and NBC News Now anchor Tom Lamas are also rising stars – as many of the seasoned veterans are nearing retirement themselves. Al Roker, Lester Holt And Dateline'S Keith Morrisonwho have all been on the network for decades are probably not far behind Kotb.

With Kotb's replacement still uncertain, one thing is certain; The NBC insider tells Us that if Laura takes the place, the “big question for” is This weekend“then becomes “Who are they moving to the weekend spot?”

Regardless of the outcome, Kotb's absence will be keenly felt by both her colleagues and viewers.

Related: Hoda Kotb's most memorable and emotional moments from the “Today” show

Nathan Congleton/NBC Hoda Kotb's nearly 20 years on the Today show have been full of unforgettable moments. The TV personality announced in September 2024 that she would be leaving the iconic morning show after 26 years at NBC, 16 years as a Today co-host and seven years as Savannah Guthrie's co-host. “I just turned around […]

“She is the person that everyone loves. She's the same off-camera as she is on-camera,” the insider says. “”She’s just such a warm person. It’s a big blow.”

After nearly three decades of working for NBC, Kotb's departure comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with morning newscasts.

“It is such a difficult task for your life. She has to get up at 3am. She has two kids and is 60 years old and she just wants space to live,” the insider notes, referring to Kotb's daughters: Haley, 7, and Hope, 5. “She just moved to Westchester in the last six years weeks. And I think she wants to focus on her children.”