In a move that has sent shockwaves through the media industry, Lester Holt announced his departure from NBC Nightly News after nearly a decade at the helm. This unexpected exit is part of a broader shake-up at MSNBC, culminating in the firing of prominent anchor Joy Reid. But what’s really going on behind the scenes? Let’s delve into the details.​

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 The End of an Era: Lester Holt Steps Down

Lester Holt, a trusted face in American journalism, revealed that he would be stepping down from NBC Nightly News in the summer of 2025. In a heartfelt message to his colleagues, Holt expressed gratitude for the opportunity to anchor two of the most iconic television news programs in broadcast history: Nightly News and Dateline. He described his journey from a 20-year-old radio reporter to a seasoned anchor as “an amazing ride”

While Holt’s departure marks the end of an era, he isn’t leaving NBC entirely. He will continue his work with Dateline, focusing on long-form journalism. His replacement on Nightly News will be Tom Llamas, a senior national correspondent and anchor of Top Story with Tom Llamas .​

 MSNBC’s Major Overhaul: Joy Reid Fired

The shake-up at NBC News isn’t limited to Holt. Hours after his announcement, MSNBC confirmed the departure of anchor Joy Reid. Her primetime show, The ReidOut, was canceled as part of a significant programming overhaul by the network’s new president, Rebecca Kutler .​

Reid’s exit is part of a broader strategy to revamp MSNBC’s lineup. The 7 p.m. slot, previously occupied by Reid, will now feature a new show hosted by Symone Sanders-Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez. Additionally, former White House press secretary Jen Psaki is being promoted to a prime-time role, replacing Alex Wagner .​

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The Bigger Picture: Network Restructuring

These changes come amid a larger restructuring at NBCUniversal. Comcast announced plans to spin off several cable channels, including MSNBC, into a separate publicly traded company. This move has led to significant shifts in programming and staffing across the network.​

Critics have raised concerns about the diversity of MSNBC’s new lineup. The departure of Reid, along with other hosts of color like Alex Wagner and Ayman Mohyeldin, has sparked discussions about representation in the media .​

Lester Holt: It’s like my ‘first day of school’ at Nightly News

As Holt transitions to his new role with Dateline, the media world watches closely to see how these changes will impact NBC and MSNBC’s future. Will the network’s new direction resonate with viewers? Only time will tell.​

For more insights into this unfolding story, watch the following video: