Lester Holt To Leave 'NBC Nightly News' After Decade As Anchor

The veteran journalist is departing in early summer and will move to fronting “Dateline” full time.

Lester Holt is to step down as anchor of “NBC Nightly News” after a decade behind the desk of the flagship evening newscast, NBC News and others reported.

The veteran journalist, who has been in the role since 2015, is reportedly leaving in early summer.

The 65-year-old will move full-time to fronting NBC’s news magazine show, “Dateline.”

“After 10 years, 17 if you include my years on the weekends, the time has come for me to step away from my role as anchor of ‘Nightly News.’ It has truly been the honor of a lifetime to work with each of you every day, keeping journalism as our true north and our viewers at the center of everything we do,” Holt said in a memo to colleagues Monday, per Semafor.

“But before we play the walk off music, I have another announcement. I’m excited to report I will be continuing as anchor of ‘Dateline NBC,’ but for the first time in a full time capacity whereby I will be expanding my footprint on the broadcast and crafting ‘Dateline’ hours on subjects I care deeply about. I am thrilled to be able to work more closely with my enormously talented friends at ‘Dateline’ as the broadcast continues to grow and attract new viewers in new places.”