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*It’s now permanent.
After ratings soared with Hoda Kotb in Matt Lauer’s old anchor chair at the “Today” show, NBC News announced this morning that the bubbly TV personality has been named the official co-anchor opposite Savannah Guthrie.
Kotb, 53, will anchor the first two hours as well as her current fourth hour slot with Kathie Lee Gifford.
Kotb, who joined NBC News in 1998 as a correspondent for “Dateline,” has been a frequent substitute in the “Today” anchor chair over the years. She became a fixed presence in the spot after Lauer was fired on Nov. 28 following allegations of sexual misconduct by a female colleague. When Guthrie announced the following morning that Lauer had been dismissed, Kotb was by her side.
This is us! #SavannahHodaTODAY pic.twitter.com/Xe2z6uygZe
— Savannah Guthrie (@SavannahGuthrie) January 2, 2018
“Over the past several weeks, Hoda has seamlessly stepped into the co-anchor role alongside Savannah, and the two have quickly hit the ground running,” NBC News Chairman Andy Lack said in an email Tuesday to staff. “They have an undeniable connection with each other and most importantly, with viewers, a hallmark of “Today.”
“Hoda is, in a word, remarkable. She has the rare ability to share authentic and heartfelt moments in even the most difficult news circumstances. It’s a tribute to her wide range and her innate curiosity,” Lack said.
Kotb and Guthrie, who has co-anchored “Today” since 2012, will be the first pair of women to anchor the morning show, although they are not the first all-female morning show duo. (ABC News’ Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts co-anchored from 2006-2009.)
Kotb began her news career with reporting and anchoring positions for broadcast stations in New Orleans and Fort Myers. She became the co-host of the TODAY fourth hour with Gifford in 2008. She also hosts “The Hoda Show on SiriusXM.”
In 2017, Kotb announced her adoption of a baby girl. Her daughter, Haley Joy, serves as the inspiration of her upcoming book, “I’ve Loved You Since Forever.”
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