Hoda Kotb Officially Named 'Today' Co-Host

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY – Hoda Kotb will officially take over as co-host of "Today," Savannah Guthrie announced at the top of Tuesday morning's broadcast. Kotb had been filling in for Matt Lauer after he was fired from NBC after claims of sexual misconduct.

"It's 2018 and we are kicking off the year right because Hoda is officially the co-anchor of today," Guthrie said. "This has to be the most popular decision NBC News has ever made."

Kotb will join Guthrie as the official co-anchors of the 7 and 8 a.m. hours of "Today." She will remain a co-host of the 10 a.m. hour with Kathie Lee Gifford, CNN first reported. Kotb has hosted the 10 a.m. hour of "Today" since 2008.

"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," NBC News chairman Andy Lack said in a memo acquired by CNN. "They have an undeniable connection with each other and most importantly, with viewers, a hallmark of 'Today."

Former "Today" co-host Matt Lauer was fired in November after a colleague at NBC News accused him of sexual misconduct. Lack called Lauer's misconduct a "clear violation of our company's standards" in a statement that was read on air.

Variety later published an investigation detailing complaints of Lauer's sexual harassment from three women who wished to remain anonymous. Variety's New York bureau chief Ramin Setoodeh said on social media that he worked on a story about Lauer's misconduct for two months and that he had been in contact with "multiple victims." Setoodeh also tweeted that NBC was aware of Variety's investigation into Lauer.

Lauer apologized to the women he harmed, NBC and his family, but maintained that some of the stories about his conduct are untrue. The full statement was acquired by CNN Media Reporter Brian Stelter, who posted it to Twitter.

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