Navigating the shifting landscape of network television news requires keeping track of who sits behind the primary anchor desks. NBC News features a vast roster of journalists spanning morning broadcasts, evening flagships, Sunday public affairs, and streaming platforms. Understanding the current lineup helps you follow the reporters delivering major headlines daily.
The network's on-air talent structure is divided across several flagship franchises, each anchored by distinct journalistic veterans. From the early morning hours of Today to the historic moderator chair of Meet the Press, the network relies on a mix of long-tenured staples and newer faces guiding viewers through domestic and international current events.
Flagship Evening and Morning Broadcasts
The bedrock of any television news division rests on its morning and evening programs. NBC's primary broadcasts set the news agenda for millions of households across the country every single day.
NBC Nightly News
- Weekday Anchor: Tom Llamas anchors the weekday editions of NBC Nightly News, delivering breaking news reports, investigative pieces, and foreign correspondence.
- Weekend Anchors: José Díaz-Balart anchors the Saturday broadcast, while Hallie Jackson steps in to anchor the Sunday evening editions. Both bring extensive reporting backgrounds in politics and national affairs to the weekend desk.
The Today Show
- Weekday Co-Anchors: Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin anchor the core weekday blocks of Today, guiding viewers through morning headlines, lifestyle segments, and high-profile interviews.
- Weather and Features: Al Roker serves as the veteran weather and feature anchor, joined by Dylan Dreyer across morning hours and weekday weather segments. Carson Daly rounds out the main team as a feature host and co-host.
- Third Hour and Companion Shows: Sheinelle Jones and Jenna Bush Hager host Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, maintaining the lighter mid-morning format. Willie Geist anchors Sunday Today, providing a reflective look at the week's top stories on Sunday mornings. Laura Jarrett anchors Saturday Today alongside team contributors.
Sunday Public Affairs and Hard News
When it comes to high-stakes political interviews and deep-dive policy analysis, NBC relies on specialized anchors stationed primarily in Washington, D.C.
Meet the Press
- Moderator: Kristen Welker serves as the 13th moderator of Meet the Press, the longest-running television show in American history. As chief White House correspondent, Welker conducts the network's premier Sunday morning interviews with lawmakers, cabinet officials, and international leaders.
Investigative and Specialty Units
- Chief Foreign Correspondent: Richard Engel leads the network's reporting from conflict zones and global hotspots, providing frontline context on international crises.
- Chief Legal Correspondent: Laura Jarrett manages legal affairs coverage across platforms, breaking down Supreme Court decisions and major federal trials.
- National Political Correspondent: Steve Kornacki utilizes the network's big board to break down polling data, election trends, and complex legislative math during political cycles.
Streaming and Digital Expansion Anchors
As news consumption habits shift toward streaming, NBC has built a robust dedicated lineup on platforms like NBC News NOW.
- Hallie Jackson NOW: Airs daily, focusing on fast-moving afternoon headlines and live reports.
- Top Story with Tom Llamas: Delivers a fast-paced evening wrap-up of the day's biggest investigative and breaking stories.
- NBC News Daily: Co-anchored by journalists including Kate Snow, providing daytime hard news coverage.
Common Misconceptions About the NBC Lineup
Viewers frequently confuse past talent with current rosters due to long-standing historical associations.
- Hoda Kotb: After decades at the network, Kotb departed her permanent role as co-anchor of the Today show in January 2025 to focus on family and new professional chapters.
- Lester Holt: Holt anchored NBC Nightly News for a decade before transitioning duties, passing the weekday anchor baton to Tom Llamas.
- Peter Alexander: Longtime co-anchor of Saturday Today and chief White House correspondent, Alexander moved to anchor roles within the broader NBC ecosystem.
You can track official roster updates directly through the NBC About Pressroom or the Today Show Official Site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who anchors NBC Nightly News on weekends?
José Díaz-Balart anchors the Saturday edition, and Hallie Jackson handles the Sunday evening broadcast. Both maintain separate weekday reporting and anchoring responsibilities within the network.
Who is the current moderator of Meet the Press?
Kristen Welker took over as the moderator of Meet the Press in September 2023, succeeding Chuck Todd. She is the second woman and the first journalist of color to host the historic Sunday program.
Where can I watch NBC News streaming broadcasts?
Free streaming coverage is available via NBC News NOW, accessible through Peacock, connected TV apps, and digital platforms. Programs like Top Story and Hallie Jackson NOW air exclusively or primarily through these streaming feeds.
How long has Al Roker been with the Today show?
Al Roker joined the Today show as weather and feature anchor in January 1996, making him one of the longest-serving on-air personalities in modern morning television history.
