Veteran NBC host and news anchor Craig Melvin has been tapped to replace Hoda Kotb as co-host of the 7 a_m_ to 9 a_m_ hours of “Today.”

Melvin, an NBC News veteran of almost 14 years, will take the anchor chair in January, a week before Hoda Kotb’s final appearance as co-host.

Craig Melvin will become the new co-anchor of NBC’s Today, following the departure of Hoda Kotb in January. The announcement was made on this morning’s broadcast. Kotb’s final day on the show will be on Jan.