Lester Holt Replacing Brian Williams as Nightly News Anchor

Williams will move to MSNBC to anchor breaking news

By Brett Malec Jun 18, 2015 5:42 PMTags
Brian Williams, Lester HoltNBC, Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

Brian Williams is leaving nighttime.

The 56-year-old newsman will no longer host Nightly News, NBC announced Thursday morning. Lester Holt will replace Williams, who was suspended from the show back in February.

"Today we are announcing that Lester Holt will become the permanent anchor of Nightly News. As you all know, Lester has done outstanding work for NBC News over the last ten years, and he's performed remarkably well over the last few months under very tough circumstances. Please join me in congratulating him and wishing him great success," Andy Lack, Chairman of NBC News and MSNBC said today in a press release.

Holt added, "This is an enormous honor. The respect and admiration I have for the Nightly News team has only grown deeper over the last several months that we've been together. Day-in and day-out under an uncomfortable spotlight they have produced world-class journalism. I'm very proud and grateful to be part of such an unflappable and dedicated team of professionals as we move forward together."

As for Williams' fate, Lack added, "Brian Williams will take on a new role anchoring breaking news for MSNBC." Williams' role will begin mid-August.

Williams was suspended from Nightly News four months ago after NBC launched an investigation into his exaggerated Iraq War story. Williams said today of his return, "I'm sorry. I said things that weren't true. I let down my NBC colleagues and our viewers, and I'm determined to earn back their trust. I will greatly miss working with the team on Nightly News, but I know the broadcast will be in excellent hands with Lester Holt as anchor. I will support him 100 percent as he has always supported me. I am grateful for the chance to return to covering the news. My new role will allow me to focus on important issues and events in our country and around the world, and I look forward to it."

(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family)