Kotb replaces Matt Lauer as Co-Anchor of NBC’s ‘Today’

Hoda Kotb, the longtime co-host of the fourth hour of the NBC morning franchise “Today,” will replace Matt Lauer as co-anchor of the program’s opening hours, the network said on Tuesday.

Savannah Guthrie, the show’s other anchor, announced the news of Ms. Kotb’s appointment during Tuesday’s broadcast.

 “This has to be the most popular decision NBC News has ever made, and I am so thrilled,” Ms. Guthrie said, after a round of applause from the crew on set.

This is the first time that two women will be the main hosts of “Today,” which first went on the air in 1952 and is the network’s most profitable franchise.

Ms. Kotb  had replaced Mr. Lauer on an interim basis since he was fired in November over allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior with a subordinate. Mr. Lauer is among the highest-profile names to have been ousted in a national reckoning over sexual harassment in the workplace, along with Harvey Weinstein, Roger E. Ailes and Bill O’Reilly.

With the move, Ms. Kotb becomes one of the most vital figures at NBC News. Ms. Kotb will remain co-host of the 10 a.m. hour of “Today” with Kathie Lee Gifford, NBC announced on Tuesday. Megyn Kelly will be the sole host of the 9 a.m. hour.

Ms. Kotb cut her teeth as a local reporter and anchor, including a six-year stint for the CBS affiliate in New Orleans. She joined NBC in 1998 as a correspondent for “Dateline.”