Hosts Stephen Colbert, Lester Holt, Hoda Kotb, among others, are reportedly stepping down from their television programs.
In the realm of broadcast news, a wave of changes is sweeping across the airwaves as high-profile anchors and television hosts part ways with major networks like CBS, NBC, MSNBC, Fox News, and CNN. This trend is driven by a combination of network restructuring, low ratings, and career transitions to new opportunities.
Hoda Kotb, a familiar face on NBC's "Today" show, has recently left her post, with Craig Melvin stepping in to fill her shoes. Meanwhile, MSNBC's 7 p.m. time slot, previously occupied by Joy Reid's show, is currently in a state of flux. A rotating series of anchors will fill the gap before a show anchored by Symone Sanders-Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez takes its place.
The landscape of television is also seeing changes at ABC. DeMarco Morgan and Eva Pilgrim, co-hosts of GMA's 3rd hour, parted ways amid a significant restructuring of the broadcast. Pilgrim moved to CBS's Inside Edition to replace longtime host Deborah Norville, who bid farewell to viewers in May 2025 after three decades of hosting the show.
Ratings struggles also contribute to anchor turnovers, particularly at CNN. The network has seen a sharp decline in primetime viewers, with new shows like Kaitlan Collins' "The Source" failing to attract strong audiences compared to competitors. This ratings decline pressures networks to adjust talent lineups, sometimes prompting departures or role changes among anchors.
Long-serving anchors are also retiring or moving on after decades of work. Fox News' Neil Cavuto, for example, left after 28 years. Such exits are often framed as natural career transitions but coincide with wider shifts in network strategy and personnel.
Chuck Todd, previously the chief political analyst and moderator of "Meet The Press" on NBC News, has moved on to host "The Chuck ToddCast" podcast and the weekly interview show "Sunday Night with Chuck Todd" on the Noosphere platform. Joy Reid, who hosted "The ReidOut" on MSNBC, has left the network and now hosts "The Joy Reid Show" on YouTube.
Other notable departures include Stephen Colbert, who announced the cancellation of his show "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" at New York City's Ed Sullivan Theater on July 17, 2025. The final show is scheduled for May 2026. Chris Wallace has also left CNN after more than two years, while Jorge Ramos has left Univision after 40 years and launched his YouTube channel, "Así Veo las Cosas."
Norah O'Donnell has signed off as anchor of "CBS Evening News" and will remain a contributor at CBS. Alisyn Camerota has left CNN, and Lester Holt, anchor of "NBC Nightly News," will exit his position and move into a full-time role as anchor for "Dateline." Andrea Mitchell will end her MSNBC show "Andrea Mitchell Reports."
Jim Acosta has left CNN and hosts "The Jim Acosta Show" on Substack, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts. Tom Llamas will replace Lester Holt as anchor of "NBC Nightly News."
These dynamics reflect both the challenging competitive environment of broadcast news and the ongoing evolution of audience preferences and network strategies. As the landscape continues to shift, we can expect to see more changes in the future.
[1] The New York Times: "ABC's 'GMA3' Co-Hosts DeMarco Morgan and Eva Pilgrim Leave Amid Broadcast Shakeup"
[2] The Hollywood Reporter: "CNN's 'The Source' Cancelled After Low Ratings"
[3] Variety: "Eva Pilgrim Joins 'Inside Edition' as Co-Host"
[4] The Washington Post: "Fox News' Neil Cavuto to Retire After 28 Years"
- The competitive landscape of broadcast news, as reported by The New York Times, revealed a shift for ABC's "GMA3" as its co-hosts, DeMarco Morgan and Eva Pilgrim, parted ways amid a significant restructuring of the broadcast, with Pilgrim moving to CBS's "Inside Edition."
- The evolving preferences and network strategies in the media world, as described by The Hollywood Reporter, led to CNN's cancellation of "The Source" due to low ratings, showcasing the challenging environment that entertainment business faces.
- Variety highlighted the ongoing transformation of pop-culture and world media, as Eva Pilgrim was announced to join "Inside Edition," following her departure from ABC and her previous association with the world of celebrities and entertainment.
