Wednesday's NBC News tapped Tom Lamas to take over Leicester Holt's “Night News” anchor chair this summer.
After a veteran journalist announced his departure last week, Lamas, a senior correspondent for “Top Story with Tom Lama” and anchor for “Top Story with Tom Lama,” was rumoured to replace Holt.
“We look forward to working with world-class journalists on 'Night News' and 'Top Stories' to guide our audiences with the most important stories each night,” Lamas said in a statement.
Holt, who has led the second-place night news program for 10 years, has been in a full-time role on Dateline.
“Lester Holt is a great guy and one of the most trusted broadcasters of our time,” said Lamas, who was also given the title of the managing editor.
“Lester, I promise to be dedicated to my audience and to be committed to the truth.”
Holt called on Wednesday to pinning the broadcast to Lamas “not only is it one of the great jobs, but it's a great staff he inherits. NBC News says that when you make the transition, you know you'll provide 100% support.
The 45-year-old Lamas reportedly offers a modest salary, estimated at around $2.5 million.
NBC did not disclose financial terms for his new role.
After starting his career as an intern at his local Telemundo station, Lamas was hired by NBC News where he played several roles.
He jumped to ABC in 2014 and reverted to NBC as a senior national correspondent in 2021 after pinning the network's “World News Tonight” weekend edition.
In addition to the “Today” show, Llamas regularly fills out Holt on “Night News” for its program.
“Tom has acquired a combination of journalism excellence, passionate storytelling and indomitable integrity, all the traits that have been the trademark of “NBC Nightly News,” said Janelle Rodriguez, Executive Vice President, NBC News.
“In addition, he helped to grow NBC News, join the current streaming news network and bring NBC News to a new generation of audiences,” she added.
Lamas brings Tom Brocaux's long-running anchor chairs to the turbulent times of Comcast-owned NBCuniversal. The media giant said late last year that it would spin off several cable channels, including MSNBC and CNBC but not NBC.
This change comes as viewers move away from watching network news and translate into a softer advertising market.
CBS recently improved its “Evening News” program and expelled Marquee's Anchor Nora O'Donnell in support of cheaper co-ankers Maurice Dubois and John Dickerson.
According to Nielsen, ABC's “World News Tonight with David Muir with David Muir” is the highest rated network news broadcast, averaging around 7.7 million viewers last season.
“NBC Nightly News” attracted 6.44 million people and 4.65 million “CBS Evening News.”
