After stepping into the anchor chair of “NBC Nightly News,” Tom Llamas hasn’t just filled the shoes of longtime host Lester Holt — he’s brought an entirely different energy to the newsroom, one that is leaving no one indifferent. Known for his calm demeanor and collaborative leadership, Holt led the program for a decade, cultivating a team atmosphere grounded in trust, consistency, and calm under pressure. Now, with Holt shifting to “Dateline,” a new era has begun, and Llamas is driving it forward with unapologetic intensity and ambition.
From the outset, insiders say Llamas made his intentions clear. He isn’t here to maintain the status quo — he’s here to win. A former weekend anchor for ABC’s “World News Tonight,” where he worked directly under David Muir, Llamas has long had a front-row seat to what it takes to dominate the nightly news ratings. Muir has held the top spot for years, commanding an audience that regularly tops 7 million viewers. For Llamas, catching up isn’t optional — it’s personal.
Multiple sources have described his management style as “challenging” and “high-pressure.” According to reporting by Breaker, staffers at NBC have found the transition from Holt to Llamas jarring. While Holt was laid-back and approachable, Llamas has adopted a hands-on approach that pushes producers, correspondents, and crew to operate at higher levels of speed, precision, and editorial scrutiny. One staffer called it “extremely challenging,” while another admitted that the culture has shifted to feel like a “rat race.” Some are uncomfortable, others are simply exhausted.
Yet for every critic, there’s also a defender. Several colleagues have stepped forward to describe Llamas not as a tyrant, but as a visionary. One correspondent told Breaker, “He challenges people to do their best, to think more deeply about the editorial process. It helps us to raise our game.” Another producer added, “His energy is infectious. He raises the bar for everyone. He’s a true leader.”
The recent departure of Meghan Rafferty, executive producer of “NBC Nightly News” for nearly four years, added fuel to the fire. While she reportedly said it was “super fun” to work with Llamas, insiders say her decision to leave was influenced in part by the demanding pace that came with the new leadership. She has since accepted a promotion to vice president of standards at Versant, MSNBC’s new parent company.
While internal friction simmers, Llamas’ competitive instincts are starting to show results. In the crucial 25-54 age demographic — the most valued by advertisers — he beat Muir for the first time during the week of July 8, just a month after taking over. This win, though narrow, is a crucial benchmark and a signal that Llamas’ strategy might be paying off, even if total viewership still trails behind ABC.
Still, Llamas’ pursuit of dominance appears to be about more than ratings. His close proximity to Muir in the past — as both a protégé and competitor — has fueled speculation that this rivalry is deeply personal. While Llamas has remained professional in interviews, his statements have left little doubt. “It’s not easy,” he told The Washington Post. “But it’s something I think we can do.” His use of “we” speaks to team spirit, but the subtext is unmistakable: he wants to take the crown.
Behind this ambition may lie years of watching from the sidelines, of knowing he had what it takes but needing the right opportunity. Now that he’s in the anchor chair, Llamas is seizing his moment with everything he’s got. His continued role as host of “Top Story” on NBC News Now — a show he built from the ground up in 2021 — is further proof of his relentless drive. Notably, there has been little to no turnover on that program, suggesting that the teams who grow with Llamas may eventually thrive under his leadership style.
Still, questions remain. Can Llamas push “NBC Nightly News” to new heights without burning out his team? Will the culture he’s creating drive innovation — or division? And most of all, can he truly “topple the king” and dethrone David Muir in the long run?
For now, one thing is certain: Tom Llamas isn’t here to play it safe. He’s here to change the game. Whether that transformation will be remembered as evolution or upheaval remains to be seen, but either way, the race for the top spot in nightly news has never been more intense — or more personal.
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