TODAY News

Scott’s traditional local cue was “Here’s what’s happening in your world — even as we speak.” He retired completely from television on December 15, 2015. The semi-retired Scott (who gained fame through his antics that included costumes and props), still appeared on-air to continue his tradition of wishing “happy birthday” to centenarians. Those not watching on an affiliate which provides local weather segments following the outcue (including international viewers, as well as NBC stations that do not have a news department) see a national summary of temperatures on a weather map. With NBC’s purchase of The Weather Channel in 2008 (personnel from that network frequently participate in Today forecast segments), at the site of a weather event or from the cable channel’s suburban Atlanta headquarters, or as a fill-in for Roker. Others, including Ann Curry, have used the position to increase their journalistic acumen, at times leaving the newsdesk behind to venture into the field. From the show’s inception, the idea of providing the latest news headlines has been critical to the function of the program.

Weekdays

For the week above, the third hour (referred as ” weekend betting preview Today II” by NBC exclusively for Nielsen ratings counts) drew 2.9 million viewers and the fourth hour , referred in Nielsen ratings as “Today III”,, delivered 1.7 million. Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama joined as a special guest on November 4, 2025. There were about 60 guest co-hosts which the program called “contenders” for Hager (including actress Scarlett Johansson), and comedian Matt Rogers.

Under pressure, the network decided to relocate Today to Studio 3K in the RCA Building on July 7, 1958, where it stayed until the early 1960s. A functional newsroom was established in the studio, which Garroway referred to as “the nerve center of the world. There was practically no distinction between backstage and the stage. Every Wednesday (The Happy Hour is broadcast with the producers of Jenna & Friends), and on Thursdays, Today Show Confidential features the producers of TODAY. During the live segment, the presenters will periodically mention that the show is live on the west coast until the segments that are tape-delayed resume. The half-hour block prior to the first set of commercials , Pacific Time,.

Showtimes and schedules for the current weekday

Hosted by Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones (the program remains a unique segment), separate from the earlier hours of Today. Premiering on January 12, 2026, Today with Jenna & Sheinelle became the fourth hour of Today, succeeding Jenna & Friends. Until January (various Today and NBC News personalities filled in), but it was then revealed that Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, Dylan Dreyer, and Craig Melvin would officially host, with the show evolving into a primarily panel discussion format under The 3rd Hour banner. We want to assure you that the entire Today family will keep delivering important and informative stories, just as they always have. The new third hour debuted on October 29, 2018, with Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, and Al Roker anchoring for the first 20 minutes from Studio 1A, covering the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, while Savannah Guthrie anchored live from Pittsburgh. Following the cancellation of Megyn Kelly Today on October 26, 2018, NBC declared that anchors from Today would take over hosting for the third hour.

On September 26, 2024, Kotb announced her decision to step down as co-anchor of Today and co-host of the fourth hour in early 2025, but would remain at NBC in a role that was unspecified. She also continued to co-host the fourth hour of the show — a role she had held since 2007. NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack said in an email that Kotb has “seamlessly stepped” into the position (and with Guthrie), “quickly hit the ground running”. Curry’s title was changed to “Today Anchor at Large and NBC News National & International Correspondent,” with responsibilities including leading a seven-person unit producing content for NBC Nightly News (Dateline NBC), Rock Center with Brian Williams and Today, with occasional anchor duties for Nightly News.

The network revamped the format of the third hour on November 12 — 2012, and gave it the in-program title Today’s Take. On July 15, 2020, NBC launched Today All Day, a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel featuring blocks of soft news and lifestyle segments from Today, as well as original content hosted by the program’s personalities. Today 3rd Hour , often shortened to The 3rd,, the current name for the third hour of Today, features anchors who appear in the first two hours of the program. On October 26, 2018, NBC News confirmed the cancellation of Megyn Kelly Today and announced that the show’s existing anchors would temporarily fill the third hour. While the coverage of the ceremonies was not seen on the NBC network feed in most of the country, the network’s New York City flagship owned-and-operated station WNBC interrupted the Today broadcast to run locally produced special coverage of the entire ceremony.

Creator Pat Weaver envisioned a person whose responsibilities would go beyond the bounds of traditional sit-down news anchors. Weekend editions of Today include Saturday Today anchored by Laura Jarrett alongside co-hosts Joe Fryer (features anchor) and Angie Lassman (weather anchor), and Sunday Today anchored solely by Willie Geist. The new set retains the 360 home base used in the previous design. In September 2015 Today updated the set once again (the update included new floors), a new couch, and a new anchor desk.

Couric said during the show, “It’s been a pleasure hosting this program, and thank you for fifteen great years.” A special video presentation was broadcast, recapping her best moments and news stories on Today during her 15 years with the show. By April 1991, in light of improved ratings on Today and NBC’s displeasure at the People photograph, it was announced that Norville would not return to Today and that Katie Couric had been named the program’s co-host. Ratings for the program rose immediately following Norville’s departure and Couric’s arrival. It was not uncommon for Norville not even to appear until the two-hour show’s second half-hour.

Today maintained its No. 2 status behind GMA from the summer of 2012 until it regained the lead in the aftermath of anchor Matt Lauer’s departure in November 2017. The weekday broadcast expanded to three hours in 2000, and to four hours in 2007 (though over time, the third and fourth hours became distinct entities). For the week of April 11, 2011, the program passed its 800th consecutive week as the No. 1 rated network morning news program, with 5.662 million total viewers (ahead of Good Morning America by approximately 1.2 million viewers). From 1995 to 2012, Today generally beat ABC rival Good Morning America in the Nielsen ratings among all network morning programs. Gubman went on to write music for the network’s 2012 election coverage — and continues to provide audio content for Today. In March 2013, “The Mission” was replaced with a theme composed by Adam Gubman for Non-Stop Music.

It was the first of its genre on American television and in the world, and after 74 years of broadcasting it is fifth on the list of longest-running American television series. TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie will be joined by a familiar face in Craig Melvin’s absence. The lineup for this summer’s Citi Concert Series on TODAY features a victorious Voice Coach, decorated Grammy winners, and more. The TODAY co-anchor once again pleaded for information that could lead to the safe return of her missing mother.

The graphics were also overhauled with introduction of the new set (a slightly modified version of this package and the revised logo debuted on Early Today that November, further integrating the early-morning news program’s branding with Today). During its first two days of use (the show transitioned away from its news and entertainment format to a format that emphasized the social interaction of the anchors), Roker and newsreader. The new studio was divided into five different sections on the lower level including an interview area, the couch area, the news desk, the performance/interview/extra space area, and home base, which is where the anchors start the show.

In some instances (when an NBC News Special Report of breaking news or a live event occurs during the Today show time slot in the eastern time zone), the show’s anchors will assume hosting responsibilities and the show will go live across all time zones until such time when the Special Report segment finishes. The program blended national news headlines, interviews with newsmakers, lifestyle features, other light news and gimmicks (including the presence of the chimpanzee J. Fred Muggs who served as the show’s mascot during the early years), and local news updates from the network’s stations. The show’s first broadcast aired on January 14 — 1952, as the brainchild of television executive Sylvester “Pat” Weaver, who was then vice president of NBC.

• (Pacific Time) half-hour or the bloc before the first set of advertisements.
• On Wednesdays (The Happy Hour with the producers of Jenna & Friends airs), and on Thursdays, Today Show Confidential with the producers of TODAY airs.
• While maintaining a similar format to its predecessor, the program emerged as its own unique entity, lacking a permanent co-host and instead featuring a new guest co-host each day.
• Ratings for the program rose immediately following Norville’s departure and Couric’s arrival.

Presently (there are only two newscasts), delivered at the top of each of the first two hours. Under the two-hour format (four newscasts were delivered), once every half-hour. In that vein, there has always been at least one person on set whose job it is to prepare and deliver newscasts. Now, the hosts are expected to do much the same, and on any given day will talk with correspondents, newsmakers and lifestyle experts; introduce and close each half-hour, conduct special segments , such as cooking or fashion, and go on-assignment to host the program from different locations. Today anchors were termed “Communicators” at the program’s inception. The new set replaced much of the dark wood colors with lighter colors and removed the emphasis of orange in previous design in favor of orange accents.