It’s looking more and more like the “NBC Nightly News” anchor chair will remain in Lester Holt’s possession.
Holt, whose stay on the desk was initially scheduled to last the duration of Brian Williams’ six-month suspension, is on the brink of getting the job permanently, according to a report by CNN.
As was exclusively reported by Page Six this week, the chances of the disgraced Williams, 56, returning to the news program are unlikely.
NBC execs would like to keep the veteran anchor around in a different, yet-to-be-determined role. Williams and his attorney have yet to sign off on a new role, though, and it’s possible he could end up leaving the network completely.
Holt, 56, took over the seat on NBC’s flagship news show when Williams was suspended in February after it came out that he had lied about his experiences covering the war in Iraq. A lengthy investigation followed.
While this is unlikely to be how Holt envisioned he’d get one of the most lusted-after gigs in television news, the anchor has excelled during his four-month run on the “Nightly News,” where he’s managed to keep ratings up despite all the turmoil.
Holt previously anchored the network’s morning and evening newscasts on weekends, as well as his work on “Dateline.”