Lester Holt’s quiet confession after announcing his NBC exit left even his newsroom speechless.NH

Lester Holt Steps Down From NBC Nightly News After Nearly a Decade: “It’s Time to Tell Stories That Matter Most to Me”

Lester Holt is closing one of the most iconic chapters in American broadcast journalism — and beginning a far more personal one. After nearly ten years as the trusted face of NBC Nightly News, the 65-year-old anchor has announced he will step down from the network’s flagship newscast, marking the end of an era defined by calm authority, integrity, and humanity.

The news stunned viewers across the nation, many of whom have come to associate Holt’s voice with steadiness through times of chaos — from presidential elections and national tragedies to a global pandemic. But this isn’t a farewell to journalism. Far from it. Holt will remain with NBC as a leading correspondent for Dateline NBC and will also develop a new documentary series focusing on “the untold American stories that shaped who we are.”

“I’ve spent my life chasing stories that matter to other people,” Holt said in his statement. “Now I want to spend time chasing the stories that matter to me — the ones that remind us who we are, and who we can still be.”

Sources inside NBC say the decision was months in the making, with Holt privately discussing his next chapter long before the announcement. Insiders describe his exit as “graceful and deliberate,” emphasizing that Holt wanted to ensure a seamless transition for viewers and the newsroom alike. His successor has not been officially named, though speculation is already swirling that either Weekend Nightly News anchor José Díaz-Balart or Today co-host Craig Melvin could take the helm.

Holt joined NBC in 2000 after nearly two decades at CBS and became the full-time anchor of NBC Nightly News in 2015, following Brian Williams’ exit. His tenure quickly distinguished itself from his predecessors’ — less theatrical, more composed, and deeply empathetic. From covering police reform to reporting live in war zones, Holt became known for his even tone and focus on facts over flash.

“He was the voice people trusted when the country was breaking apart,” said one longtime NBC producer. “Lester never chased drama — he chased clarity. That’s rare in this business now.”

Even off-camera, Holt has been a fixture of consistency. He’s known to bike to work in Midtown Manhattan, chat casually with interns, and spend weekends playing bass in jazz ensembles. But what few knew — until now — was how much his family influenced his decision to step back. “He’s always put the work first,” said a colleague close to him. “But this is the first time I’ve heard him talk about living first.”

In recent years, Holt has become increasingly involved with mentorship and journalism education, working with young reporters of color and expanding NBC’s diversity initiatives. His upcoming Dateline projects are expected to reflect those priorities — with stories examining the American justice system, civic trust, and communities rebuilding after crisis.

NBC Universal executives released a statement calling Holt “an irreplaceable voice in modern journalism” and praising his “unwavering integrity and compassion.” President of NBC News, Cesar Conde, added, “Lester has not only defined what it means to be a journalist in the 21st century — he’s set the standard.”

While Holt has made clear he isn’t leaving television, the symbolism of his exit from Nightly News is hard to ignore. It represents not just the end of a trusted era but also a pivot in how Americans consume truth — from traditional broadcasts to deeply personal storytelling.

As Holt himself put it, “It’s not about walking away from the news — it’s about walking closer to the truth.”

For millions who tuned in every evening, his departure may feel like losing a steady friend at the end of the day. But for Holt, it’s the beginning of something more intimate — a chance to tell stories not from behind a desk, but out in the world again, one human moment at a time.