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Chicago Tribune
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
New ‘NBC Nightly News' anchor Tom Llamas brings national broadcast to Chicago
When former Chicago anchor Lester Holt ended his run as anchor of 'NBC Nightly News' on May 30 after 10 years in that role, he left some pretty big shoes to fill. His successor, Tom Llamas, who last month became just the fourth anchor of the network's signature weeknight newscast in 40 years, has hit the ground running. In addition to the nightly 30-minute TV broadcast, Llamas is also doing double duty as host of a one-hour primetime newscast on the NBC News Now streaming network. The shows, which run back-to-back, bridge the gap between traditional broadcast and streaming TV, and firmly establish Llamas as the new face of NBC News. 'My life has definitely changed,' Llamas, 46, told the Tribune. 'It's a great responsibility, but it's one I have been dreaming about and thinking about for a very long time.' Born and raised in Miami to Cuban parents, Llamas is headed to Chicago this week to participate in the annual National Association of Hispanic Journalists conference, which is taking place Wednesday through Saturday at the Hilton Chicago on South Michigan Avenue. While in town, Llamas is planning to anchor Thursday's 5:30 p.m. national newscast live from outside NBC Tower at Cityfront Plaza in the Streeterville neighborhood. The scheduled remote will mark the second time in his nascent role as the top NBC anchor that Llamas has taken the New York-based newscast on the road, after hosting earlier this week from the flood zone in Texas. Llamas, who reported from Rome following the April death of Pope Francis, is hoping the Chicago newscast will include a segment on his papal successor, Pope Leo XIV, who grew up in south suburban Dolton as Robert Francis Prevost. 'I was there in the Vatican, and then Pope Leo emerges, the first American pope, and it's incredible,' Llamas said. 'It's a huge story. So I think we're going to be covering that as well.' Since Llamas took the helm June 2, 'NBC Nightly News' has gained traction in the ratings, averaging more than 5.6 million total viewers last month, besting the 'CBS Evening News,' which averaged 3.9 million viewers, according to Nielsen data supplied by NBC. 'ABC World News Tonight' remained the top-rated evening newscast in June with nearly 7.2 million viewers, but NBC was the only network to gain ground in the key 25- to 54-year-old demo, closing the gap with ABC, according to Nielsen. In Chicago, 'NBC Nightly News' was up 29% year-over-year in June among adults 25-to-54, according to Nielsen data supplied by NBC 5 Chicago. Llamas has been in broadcast journalism for 25 years, starting as an NBC News overnight production assistant. A former anchor at WNBC-TV in New York, he joined ABC News as a correspondent in 2014, and became weekend anchor for 'World News Tonight' the following year. In 2021, he rejoined NBC as senior national correspondent and anchor of 'Top Story' on NBC News Now. In March, NBC named Llamas to replace Holt, who previously announced he would step down after 10 years as the network's top anchor. Llamas credits Holt and other mentors, as well as fortuitous timing, for his elevation to anchor and managing editor of 'NBC Nightly News.' Unlike his predecessor, whose broadcast résumé included a 14-year run in Chicago as a local TV news anchor, Llamas has spent most of his career in New York, where he lives in the suburbs with his wife and three kids. But Llamas professes an 'obsession' with Chicago cuisine, which he plans to tie into his visit — whether on the air or behind the scenes. 'I don't know if we'll be doing a story, but I know I'm going to be eating,' Llamas said. 'So I'm going to be grabbing some beef sandwiches and some deep dish.'
Axios
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Best Day Ever: NBC's Tom Llamas shares his top Miami spots
Tom Llamas may be the new face of NBC Nightly News, but he's a proud 305 native. The son of Cuban immigrants, the Belen Jesuit Prep graduate and former Telemundo reporter took over for Lester Holt as the show's anchor earlier this month. (He's also the anchor of Top Story with Tom Llamas on NBC News NOW.) Given his Miami roots — and his frequent visits back home — we wanted to know what his perfect day in Miami would look like. ☀️ Morning activity: At my parents' house, it's drinking Cuban coffee and hanging out with my dad, reading the newspapers outside and enjoying the weather. If we're at the beach, taking a walk with my wife early in the morning. ☕ Best place for breakfast: CasaCuba. I normally have a cafe con leche, croquetas, pan Cubano and scrambled eggs. 🎣 Favorite afternoon activity: Going to the beach or going out to fish. 🍗 Favorite place for lunch: El Mago De Las Fritas or The Sports Grill, which I think has the best wings in Miami.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Tom Llamas Era Begins on NBC Nightly News
Tom Llamas was all business on his first night as the new anchor of the NBC Nightly News on Monday. His inaugural newscast focused largely on the top stories of the day, including an attack in Boulder, Colo. that the FBI is investigating as an act of terrorism. Llamas waited until the very end of the broadcast to acknowledge the changing of the guard. 'My thanks to all of you as we start this new adventure together,' he said. 'Tonight and always, we are here for you. Thank you for watching.' Llamas takes over from Lester Holt, who concluded his 10-year run as Nightly News anchor on May 30. The feel and look of the newscast remained the same, as NBC News clearly aims to signal continuity rather than a refresh for its flagship evening news broadcast. Watch the closing moments of Tom Llamas' inaugural Nightly News as anchor below: Originating from Studio 1A at the Rockefeller Center in New York-the same space as the Today show-the Nightly News did feature some slight changes, including Llamas being seated as opposed to standing during the opening intro, as well as darker lighting cues inside the studio. Al Roker was present in the studio for Llamas' first broadcast, updating viewers on the severe weather taking place across the country. The Today show veteran also noted that Llamas has 'the new anchor smell.' A new series was also introduced titled The Cost of Denial, which spotlighted the cost of healthcare and home ownership in relation to insurance coverage. Meanwhile, the upbeat news segment featured during the final block was retitled as: 'There's Good News Tonight.' In addition to his broadcast duties, Llamas continues to host his NBC News Now streaming show, Top Story with Tom Llamas, which also moved to Studio 1A. Earlier in the day Llamas appeared on Today, where he shared advice given to him by Holt while recognizing the impact of being the first Latino, a son of Cuban immigrants to anchor the program, 'To know that they came here with nothing and now I'm going to anchor Nightly News… that is the American dream,' he said.
Newsweek
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Where Is Lester Holt? 'NBC Nightly News' Host Steps Back From Show
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. NBC Nightly News anchor and managing editor, Lester Holt, has stepped down from the long-running program after 10 years. Newsweek reached out to Holt's representative via email for comment. The Context Holt was named anchor of NBC Nightly News in June 2015. Prior to that, the 66-year-old anchored the news show's weekend editions starting in 2007, and co-anchored Weekend TODAY beginning in 2003. He also currently anchors Dateline, a program he's been a part of since 2011. The journalist announced his departure from NBC Nightly News in February, and NBC's Tom Llamas, 45, will succeed him as anchor and managing editor. What To Know Holt's last day with NBC Nightly News was on Friday and he will now focus his efforts on Dateline. Prior to signing off from his last broadcast, the newsreader shared a message with viewers, which was later posted to NBC News' Facebook account: "You may recall the announcement back some months ago that I would be leaving my post here at Nightly News in order to expand my role as host of Dateline. Well, today is that day. After 10 years, this is my last Nightly News broadcast." Lester Holt reports in a temporary television studio before the start of the third U.S. presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump at the Thomas & Mack Center on October 19, 2016, in Las... Lester Holt reports in a temporary television studio before the start of the third U.S. presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump at the Thomas & Mack Center on October 19, 2016, in Las Vegas. MoreHolt added: "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. Around here, facts matter. Words matter. Journalism matters. And you matter. Over the last decade, we have shared some dark and harrowing days and nights from our country. The pandemic. Mass shootings. Natural disasters. Each testing our resilience and our compassion. It's why I often like to leave you with something to smile about. Moments that reassure and connect us. I'll miss our evenings together, and I will miss the team that puts it all together, my dear friends and my colleagues." Members of the NBC Nightly News crew joined Holt on camera as he continued his statement. "For now, I just want to say thank you to my incredibly supportive and patient family and all of you," Holt said, before sending well-wishes to Llamas. "NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas premieres Monday, and I wish Tom great success. I'll see you on Dateline. In the meantime, please continue to take care of yourself and each other, and I'll do the same." Llamas, who hosts Top Story, "is the first weekday Latino evening news anchor of an English-language show," per NBC. On Monday, Llamas took to Instagram ahead of his first NBC Nightly News show. "Tonight's the night!" he told his 72,000 followers. What People Are Saying In the comments underneath Llamas' Instagram post, Access Hollywood host Mario Lopez wrote: "Congrats and good luck my man!" Facebook user Charmaine Glaze said in a comment with over 1,100 reactions: "I'm gonna miss Lester Holt. I looked forward to watching him every day. I'm sadden to see him go but glad I can still catch him on Dateline. Congratulations Mr. Holt. Take care of yourself and each other!!" Other Holt fans also shared how much they'll miss him on Facebook. Asha Gorwara Sachdeva shared in a note with 528 reactions: "Will be missed. He was a good journalist and a newscaster." Smith Heather posted a message with 248 reactions: "You are a class act Lester Holt. I always liked watching you report the news with heart. I will continue to watch you on Dateline." Alecia Lathrop-May added in a post with 73 reactions: "Thank you for all you have done Lester!!! Thank you for reminding us what is important, 'Facts matter, words matter, journalism matters!!'!!!" What Happens Next Dateline airs on Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC and is available to stream on Peacock.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tom Llamas Marks the Start of a 'New Adventure' as He Anchors First 'NBC Nightly News' After Lester Holt's Exit
Tom Llamas celebrated his debut as the new anchor of NBC Nightly News on the June 2 episode, calling it the start of a "new adventure" Llamas, who is also host of Top Story with Tom Llamas, succeeds Lester Holt in the role The journalist spoke to Today ahead of his first episode behind the Nightly News desk, revealing how he feels as the first Latino weekday evening news anchorTom Llamas is signing on. Llamas made his debut as the new anchor of NBC Nightly News on the June 2 episode, taking over the reins from Lester Holt. "That's Nightly News for tonight, my first as the anchor of this great broadcast," Llamas said at the end of the episode. "My thanks to all of you as we start this new adventure together. Tonight, and always, we're here for you." Llamas also introduced a new series during his debut episode called "The Cost of Denial," which he explained is "a spotlight on the issues millions of American face across healthcare and homeownership when it comes to insurance coverage." Ahead of his first episode anchoring Nightly News, Llamas sat down with Savannah Guthrie on Today to discuss his new role. "I feel excited. I'm so looking forward to this. I can't wait," he said, adding that he "never in my wildest dreams" thought he could get to this point in his career. "I'm a little nervous, but I'm looking forward to the challenge. I think it's good to be a little nervous." With his new gig, Llamas is the first Latino weekday evening news anchor — something he called both a privilege and an honor. "I thank all the Hispanic journalists that came before me because when I was watching news and growing up, we'd watch news in English and Spanish, I saw people like José Díaz-Balart, people that I could look up to. And I saw, well, if they can do it, I could do it," said Llamas, who is Cuban-American. "I think even bigger than that, my parents came here as immigrants. They came here with nothing. Their son is now going to be the anchor of Nightly News, one of the biggest and most important newscasts in our country," he continued. "What it tells me is that the American dream is still alive. I know that because I'm living it." Llamas also called his wife, Jennifer, and their three children "my biggest cheerleaders." Holt signed off as Nightly News anchor on the May 30 episode after more than a decade in the role, calling his stint on the evening news show "the honor of a lifetime." "Around here, facts matter, words matter, journalism matters and you matter," Holt said in his farewell. "Over the last decade, we have shared some dark and harrowing days and nights from our country — the pandemic, mass shootings, natural disasters — each testing our resilience and our compassion. That's why I often like to leave you with something to smile about, moments that reassure and connect us." "Please continue to take care of yourself and each other, and I'll do the same," he added, also wishing Llamas "great success." Read the original article on People
