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.

Veteran NBC host and news anchor Craig Melvin has been tapped to replace Hoda Kotb as co-host of the 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. hours of “Today.” Melvin is a familiar face to “Today” show viewers. He currently hosts the show’s third hour and is the news anchor during the first two hours.

Craig Melvin will become the co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show beginning early next year, following the departure of Hoda Kotb.