Melvin, an NBC News veteran of almost 14 years, will take the anchor chair in January, a week before Hoda Kotb’s final appearance as co-host.

And Jenna Bush Hager is getting a new show and co-host as a result. Kotb, 60, announced she would be stepping away from the “Today” show on Sept. 26. In the weeks since, fans have been wondering who the network would choose to replace her.

Craig Melvin, who has served as the de facto third co-anchor for the show for years, typically joining Kotb and co-anchor Savannah Guthrie at the anchor desk after the first half hour, though his name is not in the open and he is only typically introduced on-air briefly, will take over Jan. 13, 2024.

Melvin will join Savannah Guthrie at the "Today" desk in January. Kotb announced in September that she is leaving the program to spend more time with her young children.

Kotb's last day will be Jan. 10. She announced in September she was leaving the program after 17 years to spend more time with her children.

Longtime NBC star Craig Melvin has officially been named as Hoda Kotb 's replacement as co-anchor on the "Today" show—weeks after it was revealed that she will be stepping down from the role early in 2025.

Craig Melvin, 45, will be taking over for “Today” anchor Hoda Kotb when she steps down. The move will give him a big salary bump, as Us Weekly reports that he’ll make about $5 million to $6 million in his new role.

News of Hoda Kotb’s exit from the popular Today show surprised fans and her co-workers last month. Hoda will leave her seat next to Savannah Guthrie next January, and Craig Melvin will be named her successor as co-anchor for the show’s first and second hours.