If you turned on the TV this morning hoping to see that familiar, high-energy grin, you probably felt the shift. It’s different now. Hoda Kotb today isn't just a morning show host; she’s become the literal heartbeat of NBC’s Today show, which makes her impending departure feel less like a career move and more like a breakup for millions of viewers.
Change is weird.
For nearly two decades, Hoda has been the person who somehow manages to make hard news feel digestible and lighthearted segments feel meaningful. But the news she dropped recently—that she’s officially stepping down from her anchor chair in early 2025—has sent shockwaves through Studio 1A. It’s not just about a vacant seat. It’s about the end of an era that redefined what morning television looks like in an age where everyone is usually just doom-scrolling on their phones.
The Real Reason Hoda Kotb is Leaving Today
People love a conspiracy. Was it a contract dispute? Did she beef with Savannah Guthrie? Honestly, no. The reality is much more human and, frankly, a bit more relatable for anyone who has ever felt the "tug" of home.
Hoda turned 60 this year. That’s a big milestone. It’s the kind of birthday that makes you look at your alarm clock—which, for her, goes off at 3:15 AM—and wonder why you’re still doing it. She has been very vocal about her daughters, Haley and Hope. She adopted them later in life, and she’s realized that she’s currently trading their most formative years for a commute to Rockefeller Plaza.
"I don't want to miss it," she basically told the world. It wasn't about the money. NBC would have likely backed up a literal Brink’s truck to keep her. It was about the fact that her kids are growing up, and her mother is getting older, and Hoda realized that she had already "won" the career game. There were no more mountains to climb at NBC. She’s hosted the Olympics, interviewed presidents, and survived the transition from the Matt Lauer era to the current female-forward powerhouse lineup.
What Hoda Kotb Today Means for the Future of NBC
NBC is in a bit of a panic, even if they won’t admit it on air. You can’t just "replace" Hoda. You can hire a new person to read the teleprompter, sure. But you can't manufacture that weird, lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry she has with Savannah Guthrie.
The "Savannah-Hoda" era was historic. It was the first time two women anchored the flagship hours of a major morning news program. Before them, the industry standard was the "Dad and Mom" vibe—a serious male lead and a slightly more "approachable" female co-host. They blew that up. They proved that two women could drive the ratings, handle the hard-hitting political interviews, and still have a glass of wine at 10:00 AM with Jenna Bush Hager without losing their journalistic soul.
So, who takes over?
The rumor mill is spinning fast. Craig Melvin is the steady hand, the guy everyone trusts. Sheinelle Jones has the energy. Laura Jarrett has the legal chops and the rising star power. But the "Hoda Kotb today" brand is built on a specific kind of emotional intelligence that is incredibly rare in broadcast news. Whoever steps in isn't just filling a job; they’re inheriting a family dynamic.
The "Hoda-Jenna" Factor and the 10 AM Slot
We have to talk about the fourth hour. Hoda & Jenna is essentially a giant hug in television form. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s deeply personal. When Hoda leaves, that show loses its namesake.
Jenna Bush Hager is staying, but the search for a new partner is going to be brutal. The audience for the 10:00 AM hour isn't looking for news updates; they’re looking for friendship. Hoda’s ability to be vulnerable—talking about her breast cancer journey, her breakup with Joel Schiffman, or the health scares with her daughter Hope—is why people stay tuned in.
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- She doesn't perform "perfection."
- She laughs at herself when she trips over her words.
- She cries on camera when a story hits home.
- She treats the crew like they’re the stars.
Most TV anchors are terrified of looking "unprofessional." Hoda realized years ago that "professional" is boring. Being real is what keeps you on the air for twenty years.
Why This Exit Matters for the TV Industry
The "Hoda Kotb today" situation is a bellwether for the entire industry. Broadcast TV is struggling. Ratings are down across the board as people migrate to Netflix, TikTok, and podcasts. The only thing keeping morning shows alive is habit.
People wake up with Hoda. They brush their teeth while she talks about the weather. They drink their coffee while she interviews a celebrity. When you remove the person who is the center of that habit, you risk the audience realizing they don't actually need the TV on at all.
NBC is terrified of the "Post-Hoda" drop-off. We saw it when Katie Couric left. We saw it, in a much darker way, when Lauer was fired. Hoda was the bridge that brought them back to stability. Now, they have to find a new bridge.
The Impact on Women in Media
Hoda’s legacy is undeniably tied to her age and when she hit her prime. She became the face of NBC News in her 50s. In an industry that has historically been incredibly cruel to women as they age—often swapping them out for younger models the moment a wrinkle appears—Hoda was an anomaly. She got more popular as she got older.
She proved that the audience actually values wisdom and life experience over "youthful glow." She showed that you can start a whole new chapter of your life, including motherhood, in your 50s and 60s. That is a massive cultural shift.
What's Next for Hoda?
She isn't disappearing. You don't just "quit" being Hoda Kotb.
Expect a book deal. Actually, expect several. She’s already a New York Times bestselling author, and her "Making Space" podcast is a huge hit. She’ll likely lean into that—long-form storytelling where she isn't beholden to a 3-minute segment window and a commercial break.
She’s also expressed interest in working in some capacity with children’s causes or wellness. But mostly? She’s going to be at the bus stop. She’s going to be at the school plays. She’s going to be living a life that doesn't require a 3:00 AM alarm.
Actionable Takeaways from Hoda’s Career Shift
Watching Hoda’s transition offers a few surprisingly deep lessons for the rest of us, even if we don't have a million-dollar TV contract.
- Audit Your "Tug": Hoda often talks about the "tug" in her heart. If you’re feeling a pull toward a different life path, stop ignoring it. It doesn't mean you have to quit your job today, but you should acknowledge that the pull exists for a reason.
- Age is a Tool, Not a Barrier: Hoda reached the pinnacle of her career at an age when many people are looking toward retirement. Use your experience as leverage.
- Prioritize Your "North Star": For Hoda, it’s her kids. For you, it might be health, a passion project, or travel. Once she identified her North Star, the decision to walk away from a high-profile job became easy.
- Build Real Connections: The reason the world is mourning Hoda’s exit is that she built a real relationship with her audience. In your own work, focus on the people, not just the tasks. Relationships are the only thing that actually last.
Hoda Kotb’s final broadcast will be an emotional wreck of a day. There will be montages. There will be guest stars. There will be a lot of tissues. But as she moves into this next phase, she’s leaving behind a blueprint for how to exit with grace, on your own terms, while you’re still at the very top of your game.
That is the real "Hoda Kotb today" legacy: knowing when it’s time to say goodbye so you can finally say hello to the life you've been waiting to live.
Next Steps for You: If you want to follow Hoda's transition, set a Google Alert for her "Making Space" podcast. It’s likely where she will drop the first real details of her post-NBC life. Also, pay attention to the Today show’s guest-hosting rotations over the next three months; that’s where NBC will be "secretly" testing out Hoda’s replacement. Keep an eye on Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones—their chemistry in the coming weeks will tell you everything you need to know about the future of morning TV.