NBC Eyes Major Morning Show Overhaul: Willie Geist Tapped to Replace Hoda Kotb on ‘Today’

But What About Morning Joe?

A significant change may be on the horizon for NBC’s morning lineup. According to a well-placed source, NBC News President Rebecca Blumenstein is reportedly pushing for Morning Joe co-host Willie Geist to take over for Hoda Kotb on the Today show as early as March 2025. Kotb, who has been a staple of the morning program for years, is rumored to be leaving after NBC executives informed her that her $20 million annual salary would be cut—a decision driven by declining viewership numbers and shifting viewer habits. Kotb has denied that the decision to leave was financial 

Currently, Today pulls in an audience of 2.793 million, but only 500,000 of those viewers fall into the coveted 18-35 demographic, a key driver of advertising revenue. The network’s struggles to retain younger viewers have sparked internal discussions about how to revitalize the show.

Blumenstein is reportedly advocating for Geist to take over the coveted role, seeing him as a fresh face who could inject new energy into the aging program. Craig Melvin, another NBC anchor, is also said to be part of the proposed shuffle, with plans for him to take over Geist’s current position on Sunday Today if Geist agrees to the move.

However, Geist is reportedly hesitant to leave Morning Joe for the Today show as long as Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski remain at the helm. “It would take some persuading to get Willie to leave Morning Joe,” an insider shared. “Plus, Joe and Mika would not be happy.”

The transition, if it happens, could mark a huge shift for NBC’s morning news strategy. Rumors have swirled that Blumenstein has been in talks with MSNBC President Rashida Jones about allowing Geist to leave Morning Joe. If he agrees to the move, Jonathan Lemire, current host of Way Too Early, is being floated as a possible replacement on Morning Joe.

The behind-the-scenes negotiations are ongoing, but if this reshuffle comes to pass, it could signal the end of an era for both Morning Joe and Today as NBC seeks to adapt to the evolving media landscape.