NBC confirmed on Thursday what has been apparent for several weeks: Holt is being upgraded from substitute anchor to permanent anchor of the “Nightly News.”
Holt is on a long-scheduled vacation this week — his first significant time off since Williams was suspended in February. So tweeted shortly after NBC made his promotion official: “Promised my family I wouldn’t think about work during vacation. Just got the ok to break that promise. Excited and grateful for new role.”
In a few days, Holt’s name will be added to the “Nightly News” logo.
The anchor has been filling in for Williams without the benefit of much promotion, but that will change soon: a robust marketing campaign will start next week.
Thursday’s announcement makes Holt the first African-American solo anchor of a weekday network nightly newscast.
“It’s about time!” said Richard Prince, a columnist for the The Maynard Institute who covers race and the media.
He called Holt “richly deserving” of the weekday anchor chair and said “his appointment is an important sign that the networks realize they must keep up with our multicultural times.”
7 Comments
blackthen.com does it yet again! Very informative site and a thought-provoking article. Keep up the good work!
Many thanks for the noteworthy site you’ve set up at blackthen.com. Your enthusiasm is definitely inspiring. Thanks again!
Not totally correct information! Max Robinson was the first African American news anchor for ABC in late 1980s.
This is incorrect. Max Robinson holds that distinction!
Thank you for that correction! Max Robinson of ABC News was the first African American nightly news Anchor. Lester is the first for NBC network.
This news is old. This happened in 205.
This article is 6 years late. He’s been the host since 2015