Tom Llamas named new host of NBC Nightly News

Tom Llamas will take over as presenter and managing editor of NBC Nightly News when Lester Holt steps down this summer.

Llamas is a senior national correspondent and host of “Top Story with Tom Llamas,” an evening newscast that streams on NBC News NOW. He will continue to host “Top Story” each weeknight.

NBC News executive vice president of programming Janelle Rodriguez said: “Tom has the winning combination of journalistic excellence, passionate storytelling and unyielding integrity — all characteristics that have long been trademarks of NBC Nightly News.

“Additionally, he’s been instrumental in growing NBC News NOW into the leading streaming news network, helping to introduce NBC News to a new generation of viewers.”

Lester Holt, who has been presenter and managing editor of Nightly News for the last decade, announced that he planned to step down this summer. He will remain a fixture at NBC with a full-time role at Dateline, where he has been the principal host for almost 15 years.