Veteran NBC broadcast journalist Craig Melvin will replace departing TODAY show co-anchor Hoda Kotb in January. “I am beyond excited and grateful,” Melvin said while appearing on the show Thursday (November 14) morning.

I am beyond excited and grateful,” Melvin said, thanking “NBC and the folks here who deemed me worthy.” He begins as co-host in January.

Hoda Kotb knows whom she wants to replace her on the “Today” show. The morning show host, 60, spoke about her successor in a new interview with E! News. “The person who I want is someone who has beautiful chemistry with Jenna [Bush Hager],” Kotb told the outlet on Oct. 25, referring to her co-anchor on the fourth hour of “Today.”