Hoda Kotb's Today show replacement announced as she confirms her last day

Savannah Guthrie has confirmed that Craig Melvin will replace Hoda Kotb when she departs the Today show in January 2025.

The 52-year-old host made the announcement on Thursday morning as Hoda, 60, stated that her very last day on air will be Friday, January 10, after she revealed back in September that she was departing the NBC morning show.

'I just want to say that we will spend a week celebrating you. As you mentioned, we have a lot to celebrate,' Savannah told Hoda live on air.

'Though you are irreplaceable, we are so excited about the news in our Today family and that is the person sitting right next to me, our dear friend and talented, wonderful, hard-working, most worthy of this, Craig Melvin is the new anchor of the Today show,' she continued.

'And let me just say that the staff, the larger staff found out this morning, and people broke into applause. This is the one of the most popular decisions NBC news has ever made.'

Looking emotional, Craig then said: 'I am beyond excited and grateful, and I just, you know, I've 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 have deemed me worthy.

'But I have to start by thanking the man upstairs. Thanking my lord above and his son Jesus, and I've enjoyed just a lifetime of blessings, and this is the latest in a long line of blessings,' he continued.

'And I talked to mom and dad yesterday. I'm thankful that they're still young enough and healthy enough to be able to see this and enjoy the fruits of their labor, and you all know my back story.

'My mother's mother was an elementary school custodian, and my father's mother had to take care of five kids, so she ran numbers and ran liquor for a long time and ended up in prison. My dad was born in prison, that didn't define him, he overcame addictions in his life, and he's become one of my favorite human beings.'

Craig continued: 'My mom, at one point picks up a second job to sacrifice and provide for our family, and so I'm grateful to them. And my wife, Lindsay, who has endured 13 years of me, and God bless her.

'And even before that, she was along for the beginning of this professional journey. I talked to her this morning, she's traveling, and we had a nice moment and I'm just so thankful for her and dealing with years of... you know what this job is?

'I mean it's a lot of long days and short nights, and she's been there for me from the beginning. And my kids, who make me proud every day. I love them and this place. 

'People see us on TV every morning, what they don't see are the folks behind these cameras and downstairs, we have the best team in television news and I'm honored to be a part of that.'

Hoda then told him: 'Craig, you are made for this job. You were literally made for this job. You are that kind of good. You have all the things that this job needs. You are the right person for it.'

Craig replied:  It means a lot to hear this from you. You've been the heart of this place for a long time [and] you helped save this show.'

Today then cut to Al Roker, who was live via Zoom from his home and was keen to praise his cohost.

'Well, you know, I always go back... and, Hoda, you were there for this, we were having lunch with Craig during the Winter Olympics in South Korea and Craig had some doubts and he was thinking and we both said, "this is it, you're here, you've got it all".

'And I knew that this day would come. I've watched you grow. I've seen you as a journalist, but, more importantly, I've seen you as a dad, as a son, all the things that make you who you are.

'I am so proud and so happy for you right now. Because you are so worthy of this. And I'm just... I almost don't have the words,' the 70-year-old added.

Craig, who was clearly fighting back tears, simply replied: 'I love you, I love you, thank you,' before telling his female cohosts that they are like siblings to him.

'I want people to know, I didn't have sisters, but you are the sisters that I never knew that I needed and I mean that,' Craig told them.

Viewers were quick to share their thoughts on Hoda's replacement and took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to praise Craig.

'Yes, Yes, Yes! So happy for you @craigmelvin. Excellent choice. I will miss my girl @hodakotb but I ain’t mad. Love my @TODAYshow Fam‼️' one person posted.

'Congrats @craigmelvin on the best news and choice! You’ll do a great job!' another wrote.

And a third person commented: 'So happy for you @craigmelvin. Your humbleness and patience in this time of waiting is commendable.'