Lester Holt, a prominent figure in broadcast journalism, signed off from NBC Nightly News for the final time on Friday, May 30, concluding an impactful tenure of over a decade as the program's anchor. In his farewell broadcast, Holt described his time leading the newscast as "the honor of a lifetime," expressing deep gratitude to the viewers who welcomed him into their homes each evening.

Holt, who had announced his departure on February 24, delivered a heartfelt message during his last episode. "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," he stated. He emphasized the core values of their work, saying, "Around here, facts matter, words matter, journalism matters and you matter." Reflecting on the past decade, he acknowledged the shared experiences of covering "dark and harrowing days," including the pandemic, mass shootings, and natural disasters, which tested national resilience and compassion. This, he explained, was why he often aimed to conclude broadcasts with uplifting stories that reassure and connect people. Holt also extended his thanks to his family and the Nightly News team, concluding, "I'll miss our evenings together... Please continue to take care of yourself and each other, and I'll do the same."

The veteran anchor also wished his successor, Tom Llamas, "great success" as Llamas prepared to take over the Nightly News desk starting Monday, June 2. Llamas, 45, who also hosts "Top Story with Tom Llamas," expressed his own sentiments about the new role in March, calling it "a profound honor and one that carries tremendous responsibility." He praised Holt as "a great man and one of the most trusted broadcasters of our time," and pledged to be "devoted to our viewers and dedicated to the truth."

Holt's decision to leave Nightly News was driven by an opportunity to take on "a bigger role" at Dateline NBC, where he has been the principal anchor since 2011 and will continue to work. He explained that the timing felt right for a change, allowing him to "flex different news muscles" and focus more on his reporting roots. Holt told Variety, "I never saw myself doing this job forever... People say it’s been a great run. It’s like, well, I’m still running." He also expressed a desire to spend more time with his grandchildren.

Lester Holt's journey in journalism began in 1981 at CBS. He joined NBC News in 2003, holding various anchoring and reporting positions before taking the helm of Nightly News in 2015. He succeeded Brian Williams, whose own 28-year career at NBC ended after controversy regarding false claims about his reporting experiences. Throughout Holt's tenure, NBC Nightly News maintained a consistent position as the second-place evening newscast in ratings, behind ABC's World News Tonight.

In his February 24 memo announcing his exit, Holt reflected on his career with satisfaction, noting, "A smile comes to my face when I think that with Nightly News, and Dateline, I have now anchored two of the most successful and iconic television news programs in broadcast history." He added, "As a 20-year-old radio reporter on the police beat chasing breaking news around San Francisco, I could never have imagined my career path would unfold in the way it has. What an amazing ride."