NBC is preparing for a new era in 2025 as the network says goodbye to beloved anchor Hoda Kotb.
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.
On Nov. 14, it revealed that longtime employee Craig Melvin would take Kotb’s chair as the new anchor of the morning talk show.
But fans were still curious to see who the network would name as Kotb’s replacement alongside Jenna Bush Hager for the show’s fourth hour, titled “Hoda & Jenna.”
That question was answered just a few hours after the Melvin announcement.
“TODAY’s fourth hour will become TODAY with Jenna & Friends starting Jan. 13, 2025,” the show wrote in an Instagram post.
“The show will feature a rotating cast of fill-in co-hosts until a permanent host is named,” they added.
Kotb and Bush Hager revealed the exciting news during their show on Nov. 14 — and it was met with a drumroll.
Bush Hager went on to praise her co-host for the many years they shared in front of the camera but joked that it’s time for her to start dating again.
“Hoda, you know this. I am a serial monogamist,” she said, explaining that she met her husband, Henry Chase Hager, nearly 20 years ago and hasn’t dated since.
“I met Hoda, I fell so madly in love with you so quickly. And we’ve had these years together, which have been some of the best in my entire life,” she continued.
“But here’s the thing, it’s time for me to get out there,” she joked as Kotb let out a giggle.
Bush Hager likened her new journey to “roster dating,” adding that she’s single and ready to mingle — at work, anyway.
“Roster dating” is the practice of casually dating multiple people at the same time, according to Vogue.>added link
As for what fans can expect from the new show, Bush Hager says it’s going to be “all about friendship.”
After the big reveal, Kotb shared some kind words about how lucky those who come after her are for getting to share this space with Bush Hager.
“Whoever gets the privilege of sitting here … however long this phase goes on … will be very lucky and privileged to sit next to you, for starters,” she said, pointing to her co-host.
“You have a way of attracting people into your world,” she added.
Kotb went on to explain that anyone could sit in her chair and be a good fit but credited that fact to Bush Hager and her ability to bring out the best in anyone.
The two later joked that while Bush Hager will be “dating” on the show, Kotb will be dating in real life.
“Let’s date, y’all! Let’s date!” Bush Hager said with a laugh.
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