"NBC Nightly News" anchor Lester Holt announced that he is stepping down after ten years in a statement released on Monday.

In a memo to staffers, Holt stated, "A smile comes to my face when I think that with Nightly News, and Dateline, I have now anchored two of the most successful and iconic television news programs in broadcast history."

His statement continued saying, "As a 20-year-old radio reporter on the police beat chasing breaking news around San Francisco, I could never have imagined my career path would unfold in the way it has. What an amazing ride."

Holt has been an important figure in NBC's lineup for years and his departure from "NBC Nightly News" is just a microcosm of major changes happening in the mainstream media.

Big Changes For NBC

While he's leaving his most recognizable position, Holt will be staying at NBC focusing on "Dateline" beginning this summer when he officially leaves "NBC Nightly News."

Holt took over after his predecessor, Brian Williams, was forced out after being accused of embellishing news stories.

The scandal over Williams embellishing stories he claimed to have personally witnessed was a major blow for NBC and it was Holt's job to restore a shred of integrity to "NBC Nightly News."

However, it appears Holt is taking his talents to "Dateline" according to a memo from NBC News executive Vice President of Programming Janelle Rodriguez.

"A short time ago, Lester shared with his team that after 10 years as the NBC Nightly News anchor, he’s taking on a dedicated full-time role at Dateline, his second home," Rodriquez explained." "Lester will continue at the helm of Nightly until early summer before he devotes his energy to the rapidly-expanding powerhouse that is Dateline."

There could be other reasons that aren't being publicized as Holt has been the subject of multiple politically charged moments.

Anchor Chuck Todd, another politically recognized figure at NBC News, also announced his departure just earlier this month, further suggesting that there is more to Holt's departure than is being released.

Escaping to "Dateline" frees Holt from the inherently political news cycle and all the issues for his image that come with that. It also allows NBC to make major changes to adjust to a rapidly changing landscape.

Mainstream Media In Flux

The aftermath of the 2024 presidential election has been devastating for the mainstream media as their leftist viewer base has largely tuned out following Vice President Kamala Harris's devastating defeat.

In contrast, conservative media, notably Fox News, has been killing it in ratings and viewership. For years, leftist outlets like NBC and MSNBC have thrived off of enraging their viewer base against President Donald Trump but it seems that the well has run dry.

While NBC is making changes to its news lineup, MSNBC is shuffling its more radical faces to the side. Leftist Joy Reid's primetime show "The ReidOut" was canceled and she has been moved to a weekend slot in a bid by the organization to tone down the radical leftist politics.

While Holt's situation is far more amicable than Reid's, the timing of such a monumental change for NBC is suspicious and suggests that Holt, NBC, or both wanted to make changes to address the changing political landscape following the election.