Watch Lester Holt’s Final Sign-Off After 10 Years on ‘NBC Nightly News’

It was a sad and emotional night as Lester Holt officially signed off from “NBC Nightly News.”

The lead anchor closed his final broadcast on Friday, May 30, with a heartfelt and thoughtful speech to commemorate his 10-year run on the show. Producing goosebumps for viewers, Holt began, “After 10 years, this is my last ‘Nightly News’ broadcast,” he said. “As anchor, it has been an honor to lead this program, and an honor to be welcomed into your homes. I’m so grateful for your trust. Around here, facts matter. Words matter. Journalism matters. And you matter.”

Lester Holt Reflects on a Decade of Headlines

Holt had officially announced his departure back in February following reports of staffing changes at the network. NBC confirmed that while he would be stepping down from “Nightly News,” he would still remain at the network full-time. Hotl will still be the lead presenter of “Dateline NBC,” a role he has held for nearly 15 years.

Recalling some of the most impactful stories from his time at NBC, he continued, “Over the last decade, we have shared some dark and harrowing days and nights in our country: the pandemic, mass shootings, natural disasters. Each testing our resilience and our compassion. It’s why I often like to leave you with something to smile about, moments that reassure and connect us.”

Though visibly emotional, Holt also expressed gratitude and fulfillment through his time. Especially for all he has accomplished over the past decade. He thanked his staff, his viewers, and, most importantly, his family for supporting him every step of the way.

He also welcomed his successor, Tom Llamas, who will officially take over anchoring duties Monday, June 2. Holt ended his sign-off by saying, “Please continue to take care of yourself and each other, and I’ll do the same.”

Tom Llamas Steps Into the Anchor Chair

Llamas, 45, shared his excitement about taking the reins, stating, “I look forward to working with the world-class journalists at ‘Nightly News’ and ‘Top Story’ to bring viewers the most important stories every night.”

Llamas has had a distinguished career in broadcast journalism spanning more than two decades. He began as an intern at Telemundo in Miami before working as an overnight production assistant at NBC. He later moved to New York City for local reporting. Eventually, he joined ABC News, where he became chief national correspondent as well as weekend anchor for “World News Tonight.”

Since joining NBC in 2021 as a senior national correspondent, Llamas has appeared regularly on “Nightly News” and “Today,” often filling in as needed.

Of course, the night would not have been complete without a Holt highlight reel. The program aired a powerful montage showcasing Holt’s most iconic and memorable reporting. Everything from assignments in Iran, Israel, and Puerto Rico, to interviews with high-profile political figures. Some of his most prolific political interviews included sessions with Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Joe Biden, President Donald Trump, and former President Barack Obama.

“Oh my goodness, it’s been quite a ride,” Holt said, looking back at the footage. “Thanks, everybody.”

The veteran broadcaster has had quite a lenghtly career in TV. He began his career at CBS, where he reported from 1981 to 2000 in cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. In 2000, he went on to join MSNBC and later served as a substitute anchor for “Today” and “NBC Nightly News.” Holt went on to anchor the weekend edition of “Nightly News” from 2007 to 2015 before stepping in to replace Brian Williams as the weekday anchor.

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