Craig Melvin is 'beyond excited' to replace 'irreplaceable' Hoda Kotb on 'Today' show

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Craig Melvin is set to step into a new role as co-anchor of NBC’s 'Today' show early next year, following the departure of Hoda Kotb.

The 45-year-old journalist will officially join Savannah Guthrie on Monday, January 13, as the network announced.

Kotb’s last day will be Friday, January 10, after 17 years with the morning show.

Savannah Guthrie praises Craig Melvin as 'Today's new co-anchor

Craig Melvin has been a fixture on 'Today'. The two-time Emmy Award winner and South Carolina native began working with the show in 2018 when he was promoted to a weekday news anchor.

Before that, he had been working on MSNBC and NBC News, as per People.

He currently serves as the news anchor, joining Guthrie and Kotb during the 7 am and 8 am segments, while also co-hosting the 3rd hour of the show with Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer, and Sheinelle Jones.

In addition to his new role, Melvin will continue to co-host the later hour.

“Though you are irreplaceable in our hearts, we are so excited about the news in our Today family,” Guthrie told Kotb on November 14.

“And that is the person sitting next to me, our dear friend and talented, wonderful, hardworking, most worthy of this, Craig Melvin is the new anchor of the Today show,” she added.

Craig Melvin says he has 'enjoyed a lifetime of blessings' after he's announced 'Today' co-anchor 

Savannah Guthrie assured Craig Melvin that “this is one of the most popular decisions NBC News has ever made,” mentioning that the 'Today' team “broke into applause” upon hearing the announcement.

“I am beyond excited and grateful,” Melvin shared. “I had a lot of conversations yesterday with a lot of people who mean a lot to me, and I want to obviously thank NBC and the folks here who deemed me worthy.”

He added, “I’ve enjoyed a lifetime of blessings, and this is the latest in a long line of blessings.”

Melvin acknowledged the support of his wife, Lindsay Czarniak, who he married in 2011, and their two children, Delano, 10, and Sybil, eight, as well as his parents, whom he was glad to see witness “the fruits of their labor.”

'Today' VP Libby Leist says Craig Melvin is 'integral and beloved' 

Libby Leist, senior vice president of 'Today,' said in a statement, “He is an integral and beloved part of our family," reported Today. 

Leist praised Melvin’s versatility, saying, “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 first announced her decision to leave her role as co-anchor in September.

“It was time for me to turn the page at 60,” she shared, noting, “I decided this is the right time for me to move on.”

Kotb also co-hosted the 10 am hour with Jenna Bush Hager, and NBC revealed that the hour will be renamed 'Jenna & Friends' until a permanent co-host is selected.

Internet celebrates Craig Melvin's promotion as 'Today's new co-anchor

Fans celebrated Craig Melvin’s promotion on the internet with many expressing their excitement over X (formerly Twitter).

“Congrats Craig. We will miss our Hoda, but you are worthy of that spot,” wrote one user. Another added, “Congratulations! You are the right choice.”

One joking shared, "Of all of the appointments I’ve heard about in the last few days, here’s one I can get excited about!

Someone else enthusiastically said, “Yes, Yes, Yes! So happy for you @craigmelvin. Excellent choice. I will miss my girl @hodakotb but I ain’t mad.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.