Welcome, Tom Llamas, to TV’s Never-Ending Evening-News Battle

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Tom Llamas isn’t professionally trained in juggling, yet his upcoming task for NBC News involves maintaining multiple large objects in mid-air, a challenging feat.

On Monday evening, when Llamas replaces Lester Holt at the “NBC Nightly News” anchor desk, one of his initial tasks will be to make the transition appear seamless, even though such a shift in a program like this is quite significant on television. He’ll manage this while still holding onto his previous role, hosting “Top Story,” a one-hour streaming news program on NBC News Now that begins immediately after “Nightly” ends from Monday to Friday.

In a recent chat with EbMaster, Llamas humorously noted that the majority of questions he’s been asked since NBC News assigned him his new role revolve around “How are you planning to pull this off?”. He emphasizes, “Just remember, ‘Today’ is a non-stop four-hour broadcast every single day.

According to the humble 45-year-old reporter, the secret lies in demonstrating to the audience that he is their voice in a world where even the straightforward task of reporting news has grown more challenging. “I strive for my viewers to always remember that we’re fighting for them,” he explains. “I genuinely feel that, despite working for NBC, I work for the viewer.” He emphasizes this sentiment because he believes that trust is crucial, and at the end of the day, it’s the audience who must have faith in him.

In my perspective, the team at NBC News thinks they’re catering to viewers’ desires by appointing Llamas as the “Nightly” anchor. After all, prior to joining NBC, he was the weekend anchor for ABC News’ “World News Tonight,” the country’s most-watched evening news program. Llamas was often considered a strong contender to succeed the current anchor, David Muir, in that role. However, there’s one key factor: Muir is relatively young at 51, and given his high ratings, it seems unlikely he’ll vacate the position anytime soon.

It’s now possible for Llamas to co-host the nightly news, and there’s growing excitement within the organization. A recent restructuring of “CBS Evening News” featuring dual anchors and a focus on enterprise and feature stories hasn’t been universally popular, but it has resulted in increased viewership. In fact, Nielsen ratings show that both “Nightly” and “World News” have gained more audience share since the change. The executives are also impressed by Llamas’ performance on March 7, when he temporarily replaced Holt on “Nightly”. During this time, Llamas attracted more viewers aged between 25 and 54 – a demographic highly valued by advertisers in news programs – than Muir did for the same time slot. Typically, Muir has had a 21% higher viewership in that age group compared to Llamas when they have competed directly, according to Nielsen data.

ABC News appears to be well-informed about Llamas’ latest role on “Nightly.” Not long before Llamas began his new position, the news division supported by Disney allowed Muir to feature in a profile for “People” magazine. According to Llamas, he holds Muir in high regard and is eager to compete with him every evening. It seems that Muir feels the same way.

Viewers of Nightly News won’t notice any major changes or upheavals in its familiar format, reflecting the hurdles CBS News has encountered. According to Janelle Rodriguez, executive vice president of programming for NBC News, during an interview, they began this venture with great reverence for their audience. Many of our viewers have watched ‘Nightly’ with anchors such as Tom Brokaw or Brian Williams, creating a strong and emotional bond with the broadcast.

Indeed, certain fresh topics are intended to resonate with a wider range of viewers. To begin with, NBC News reporters will delve into subjects that every American can identify with, regardless of their background. As Llamas explains, “We’re going to scrutinize the insurance industry intensely and rigorously.” Many people from various backgrounds are encountering difficulties due to being denied coverage. In an upcoming segment, a man battling liver cancer who was initially refused coverage for experimental treatment managed to secure it after NBC News investigated the circumstances. “I’m from local news,” says Llamas, “and I don’t intend to be passive.

Starting next year, NBC’s “Nightly” news program will begin increasing its coverage related to the U.S.’s 250th anniversary in 2026, featuring significant locations and figures from our nation’s history. As Llamas explains, regardless of political affiliation, these reports will focus on topics that resonate with viewers as citizens of this country.

Llamas is now the fourth individual in 40 years to host “Nightly”, yet this wasn’t the role he envisioned himself in when he was a 15-year-old working overnight at WSCV, a Telemundo station in Miami, doing tasks such as making coffee, answering phones, operating the teleprompter, and even going to crime scenes for interviews with local officials. He had to rely on his mother for rides before he got his driver’s license. During this time, he recalls, “Whatever they asked me to do, I would do.

Currently, he’s assuming his role at a challenging period for the television news industry. Previously large TV news viewership has dispersed into numerous video platforms, leading to financial strains and increased political examination for the media corporations managing these news divisions.

The significance of various factors influences Llamas’s choice to carry on streaming. “I believe the key is being omnipresent,” Llamas expresses. NBC plans to encourage viewers of “Top Story” to tune in to “Nightly,” and vice versa, asserts Rodriguez. This strategy presents an opportunity, Rodriguez says, to fill any generational gaps between viewers, and to establish a strong flow between the two shows.

Regarding politics, Llamas admits that it’s something he has no power over. His role is merely to disseminate the news. He advises keeping a focused mind on the news and your responsibilities, reminding everyone that it’s not about personal involvement. It’s all about the job at hand.

A key aspect of our mission involves ensuring “Nightly” remains relevant and valuable for future generations, considering the increasing deluge of news they encounter daily through digital and social media channels. As Rodriguez points out, while this flood of information may be scattering audiences across various platforms, it also heightens the demand for high-quality, curated, well-thought-out, contextualized journalism that efficiently uses viewers’ time. Such a show will undoubtedly grow in importance over time.

Starting a new job with such a heavy workload might seem challenging, but Llamas seems eager and prepared to dive in. “I’ll need to make sure my energy is at its highest around 6:30,” he notes. “I might even need a quick shot of Cuban coffee at 6:29 before we hit the ground running.” In other words, after the coffee boost, it’s full steam ahead!

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2025-06-01 15:47