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 “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.

The network bowed to the pressure (and on July 7), 1958, Today moved across the street to Studio 3K in the RCA Building, where it remained through the early 1960s. The first set placed a functional newsroom in the studio, which Garroway called “the nerve center of the world.” The barrier between backstage and on-stage was virtually nonexistent. On Wednesdays, The Happy Hour with the producers of Jenna & Friends airs, and on Thursdays, Today Show Confidential with the producers of TODAY airs. Throughout the live segment, the presenters will explicitly make some reference to the show being live on the west coast from time to time until the tape-delayed segments resume. (Pacific Time) half-hour or the bloc before the first set of advertisements. When breaking news stories warrant — Today will produce a West Coast edition by broadcasting parts of the show live for viewers there.

Showtimes and arrangements for the current weekday.

The program is hosted by Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones — and continues to be a distinct entity from the earlier hours of Today. Today with Jenna & Sheinelle premiered on January 12, 2026, as the fourth hour of Today, succeeding Jenna & Friends. Various other Today and NBC News personalities filled in until January, when it was announced that the official hosts would be Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, Dylan Dreyer and Craig Melvin, with the show becoming a primarily panel discussion program under the banner of The 3rd Hour. We want you to know that the entire Today family will continue to bring you informative and important stories — just as we always have. The new third hour premiered on October 29, 2018, with Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin and Al Roker anchoring for the first 20 minutes from Studio 1A, reporting on the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, with Savannah Guthrie anchoring live from Pittsburgh. After Megyn Kelly Today was canceled on October 26, 2018, NBC announced that Today anchors would host 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.

On November 12, 2012, the format for the third hour was overhauled by the network, which was then named Today’s Take. NBC introduced Today All Day (a free streaming television channel supported by advertisements), on July 15, 2020, showcasing blocks of soft news and lifestyle segments from Today along with original content featuring the program’s hosts. The third hour of Today, currently known as Today 3rd Hour (or The 3rd for short), includes anchors who also present during the program’s initial two hours. NBC News announced on October 26, 2018, the cancellation of Megyn Kelly Today, revealing that the existing anchors of the show would temporarily take over the third hour. Despite the fact that most of the nation did not see the coverage of the ceremonies on NBC’s network feed, WNBC, the network’s own flagship station in New York City, interrupted the Today broadcast to provide locally produced special coverage of the entire ceremony.

Creator Pat Weaver envisioned a person whose weekend betting preview 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.

During the show, Couric remarked, “Hosting this program has been a pleasure, and I appreciate fifteen wonderful years. A special video was aired — highlighting her most memorable moments and news stories from her 15-year tenure on Today. By April 1991 (following improved ratings for Today and NBC’s dissatisfaction with the People photo), it was revealed that Norville would not be returning, and Katie Couric was appointed as the co-host of the program. Following Norville’s exit and Couric’s entry, the program experienced an immediate surge in ratings. Norville frequently did not appear until the second half-hour of the two-hour show.

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 continuing to follow a similar format as its predecessor as its own distinct entity (the program did not have a permanent co-host), but instead featured a different guest co-host each day.
• The program’s ratings increased right after Couric’s arrival and Norville’s departure.

Currently, there are merely two newscasts delivered at the start of each of the first two hours. Four newscasts were provided under the two-hour format, with one occurring every half-hour. Historically, there has always been at least one individual on set designated to prepare and deliver newscasts. Presently, the hosts are often required to perform similar tasks, engaging with correspondents, newsmakers, and lifestyle experts daily; they introduce and conclude each half-hour, conduct special segments (like cooking or fashion), and sometimes host the program from various locations. At the inception of the program, the Today anchors were referred to as “Communicators. The newly designed set replaced much of the dark wood with lighter tones and shifted away from the previous design’s emphasis on orange, opting instead for orange accents.