SC native Craig Melvin chosen for co-anchor job on ‘Today’ show
Craig Melvin is set to replace long-time co-anchor Hoda Kotb on the “Today” show, NBC News reports.
Melvin, a Columbia native, long-time news anchor of the NBC show “Today” and a co-host on the 3rd hour of “Today,” made the announcement on the show Thursday morning. He will start his new job alongside Savannah Guthrie for the 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. hours beginning Jan. 13.
“I am beyond excited and grateful,” Melvin said. “I’ve enjoyed just a lifetime of blessings and this is the latest in a long line of blessings.”
Kotb will remain as co-anchor until Jan. 10, calling it a “party day.” Kotb said she made the decision to step down after she turned 60 in August.
“It means a lot to inherit this from you,” Melvin said, speaking to Kotb. “You’ve been the heart of this place for a long time. You helped save this show. You helped save this show.”
Melvin has worked at NBC News for almost 14 years. He has covered breaking news in the field, multiple presidential interviews, along with Olympic and Super Bowl games.
Melvin graduated from Columbia High School and Wofford College. He started working at Columbia’s NBC affiliate, WIS, while still in high school. After becoming the evening news anchor at WIS, Melvin was a weekend anchor for WRC, NBC’s owned-and-operated station in Washington, D.C. He then joined NBC News and MSNBC in July 2011.
