Hoda Kotb Replaces Matt Lauer on 'Today' Show

"Today" show veteran Hoda Kotb is now co-anchor of NBC's morning news program, joining Savannah Guthrie to replace former co-anchor Matt Lauer, who was fired in November after a work colleague accused him of inappropriate sexual behavior.

Guthrie said she is "thrilled" by Kotb's promotion.

"It's 2018, and we are kicking off the year right, because Hoda is officially the co-anchor of 'Today,'" Guthrie said after the program's opening announcement listed Kotb's name.

"This has to be the most popular decision NBC News has ever made and I'm so thrilled."

NBC News Chairman Andy Lack made the announcement early Tuesday morning through a staff email. Kotb has substituted often in the anchor chair over the years, and joined Guthrie at the desk the morning she announced Lauer had been fired.

"Over the past several weeks, Hoda has seamlessly stepped into the co-anchor role alongside Savannah, and the two have quickly hit the ground running," Lack said in his email. "They have an undeniable connection with each other and most importantly, with viewers, a hallmark of 'Today.'"

He further called Kotb "remarkable."

"She has the rare ability to share authentic and heartfelt moments in even the most difficult news circumstances. It's a tribute to her wide range and her innate curiosity," Lack said.

The move means Kotb and Guthrie, who has co-anchored the program since 2012, will be the first pair of women to anchor the NBC early morning program since its beginning. ABC News' Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts, however, are the first female pair to co-anchor a morning program, when they worked together from 2006-2009.

Kotb first joined NBC News in 1998 as a correspondent on the "Dateline" news program, and will join Guthrie during the first two hours of the program, and then will continue to return to co-host the "Today" show four hour with Kathie Lee Gifford.

She began her news career on broadcast stations in New Orleans and Fort Myers, before becoming the co-host of "Today's" fourth hour with Gifford in 2008. Kotb also hosts "The Hoda Show on SiriusXM."

Kotb in 2017 announced she and her husband had adopted a baby daughter, Haley Joy, the inspiration of a new book, "I've Loved You Since Forever."

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