It's official! Hoda Kotb named co-anchor of Today with Savannah Guthrie five weeks after 'true friend' Matt Lauer was fired - leaving her 10am cohost Kathie Lee crying tears of joy
- Hoda Kotb was promoted to co-anchor of the Today show on Tuesday
- She replaces Matt Lauer, who was fired from the show in November
- The 53-year-old has been filling in for Lauer ever since, leading the show to overtake rival Good Morning America in total viewers
- Kotb has been a member of the Today show since 2008, when she started co-hosting the fourth hour with Kathie Lee Gifford
- She will continue to co-host the fourth hour, while taking on her new position as co-anchor of the first two hours with Savannah Guthrie
- In an interview with People magazine, Guthrie said that she and Kotb are trying to remain 'true friends' to Lauer
- Kathie Lee Gifford also spoke about the disgraced host, stating: 'Matt would be the first to congratulate her and wish her well'
- This news comes a month after an NBC source told DailyMail.com that Kotb would be co-hosting with Guthrie for the 'foreseeable future'
Hoda Kotb was named the official co-anchor of the Today show - nearly five weeks after Matt Lauer's firing over a sexual harassment allegation.
The announcement was made at the top of the show Tuesday morning, with her co-anchor Guthrie saying: 'This has to be the most popular decision NBC has ever made and I'm so thrilled.'
Kotb, smiling and then wiping away tears, responded: 'I'm pinching myself. I think we should send some medics to Alexandria, Virginia where my mom has likely fainted after hearing the opening of that show.'
They then replayed the opening of the show, in which Kotb's named was announced as a co-anchor, as is tradition on an anchor's first day.
This news comes a month after an NBC source told DailyMail.com that Kotb would be co-hosting with Guthrie for the 'foreseeable future.'
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![Together on air: Hoda was promoted to co-anchor of the Today show on Tuesday, nearly five weeks after the firing of Matt Lauer. Savannah Guthrie made the announcement](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/02/12/47B1BB7600000578-5228455-image-a-1_1514895438105.jpg)
Hoda Kotb, right, was promoted to co-anchor of the Today show on Tuesday, nearly five weeks after the firing of Matt Lauer. Co-anchor Savannah Guthrie made the announcement at the top of the show on Tuesday
![Big moment: The co-anchor was all smiles when the news of her promotion was announced on Tuesday morning. 'I'm pinching myself,' she said](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/02/12/47B260C700000578-5228455-Kotb_was_all_smiles_as_the_news_was_announced_Tuesday_morning_I_-m-16_1514896429530.jpg)
Kotb was all smiles as the news was announced Tuesday morning. 'I'm pinching myself,' she said
![Happy tears: At one point, she appeared to wipe away a tear of joy. Savannah said the decision to name Hoda as co-anchor was probably the 'most popular decision NBC has ever made'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/02/12/47B260F400000578-5228455-At_one_point_she_appeared_to_wipe_away_a_tear_of_joy_Guthrie_sai-m-17_1514896449451.jpg)
At one point, she appeared to wipe away a tear of joy. Guthrie said the decision to name Kotb as co-anchor was probably the 'most popular decision NBC has ever made'
'Hoda you are a partner and a friend and a sister and I am so happy to be doing this,' Guthrie added.
'Well there's no one I'd rather be sitting next to in 2018 than you,' Kotb said.
The 53-year-old has been filling in for Lauer, alongside Guthrie, ever since his surprise firing at the end of November.
Since then, the show has been pulling in record ratings, beating their rival Good Morning America in total viewers every week since Lauer's departure.
Shortly after Lauer's departure, Lack revealed that an internal investigation was underway to look into his 'appalling behavior.'
'A team of the most experienced NBCUniversal Legal and Human Resources leaders have begun a thorough and timely review of what happened and what we can do to build a culture of greater transparency, openness and respect for each other,' read the memo.
'At the conclusion of the review we will share what we’ve learned, no matter how painful, and act on it.'
On top of that, Noah Oppenheim, the NBC News President, promised 'severe' punishment for any employee who knew about Lauer's behavior and sat on it.
'I can tell you, on a personal level, that if there is anyone who works here, who still works here, who knew about this and didn't report it, this is going to be dealt with in the most severe way possible. And that is why were are conducting this review,' he told staff at NBC's Nightly News.
'There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry,' said Lauer at the time.
'The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my troubling flaws. It has been humbling.
'Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized. But there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed.
'I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.'
GMA typically wins in total viewers while Today has a hold on viewers ages 25-54, which is more important to advertisers. But for the past three weeks ratings were released, Today has won in both categories.
![Big news: Andy Lack emailed NBC staff just minutes before the start of Today to inform them of the big news (Savannah and Hoda above outside 30 Rock)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/02/17/47B3B87700000578-5228455-image-a-36_1514913063008.jpg)
Big news: Andy Lack emailed NBC staff just minutes before the start of Today to inform them of the big news (Guthrie and Kotb above outside 30 Rock)
![Guthrie excitedly shared a picture with her new co-anchor Tuesday morning](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/02/12/47B260B100000578-5228455-Guthrie_excitedly_shared_a_picture_with_her_new_co_anchor_Tuesda-m-12_1514896274034.jpg)
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/02/12/47B260B700000578-5228455-image-a-13_1514896286254.jpg)
Guthrie and Kotb excitedly shared the same picture Tuesday morning, ahead of the announcement
![It's official: Hoda's name as it will now appear in the opening credits of the program (above)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/02/17/47B3E24700000578-5228455-image-m-39_1514915762310.jpg)
It's official: Kotb's name as it will now appear in the opening credits of the program (above)
![Big reveals: The new Today show co-anchors are on the cover of the new People magazine](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/02/13/47B3249100000578-5228455-image-a-46_1514898507503.jpg)
The new Today show co-anchors are on the cover of the new People magazine, out on Friday
After the announcement was made on Tuesday, People released their upcoming cover which features Kotb and Guthrie.
The issue is due out on Friday, but People released a snippet of their cover story, in which Kotb and Guthrie talked about their relationship and the firing of Lauer.
'We know he’s working on his family, we know that for sure. Of course our hearts go out to the brave women who have told their stories,' Guthrie told the magazine.
'What we are experiencing and processing now is how to honor and remain a true friend to someone even in spite of learning things that are deeply disturbing. And we are trying to navigate that path with integrity.'
![Disgraced: Hoda replaces Matt lauer (pictured on December 6), who was fired from the show in November](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/02/13/47B2606C00000578-5228455-Kotb_replaces_Matt_lauer_pictured_on_December_6_who_was_fired_fr-a-52_1514899576587.jpg)
Kotb replaces Matt lauer (pictured on December 6), who was fired from the show in November for a sexual harassment allegation
Kotb said she was never out for Lauer's job after his firing, but was offered it just before the holidays.
'We were just trying to make it through those days together,' she said.
'Sometimes when you go through something with someone, you see something special. I think that’s what happened. I didn’t think about whether it would be me.'
Lack also spoke to the magazine, saying: 'We’re very fortunate to have someone like Hoda who brings immense talent and tremendous positive energy, and then on top of that happens to have wonderful chemistry with Savannah. It makes this a decision that everyone can embrace and feel terrific about.'
Kotb has been a staple on the Today show since 2008, when she started co-hosting the fourth hour with Katie Lee Gifford.
In March, she was promoted to a position in the earlier hours of the show, regularly sitting alongside Guthrie and Lauer to weigh in on the news of the day.
![Mama: Hoda adopted Haley Joy last February. She's pictured with her daughter and her boyfriend Joel Schiffman, 59, last month](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/02/12/47B28AAD00000578-5228455-image-m-25_1514897512222.jpg)
Kotb adopted a baby girl named Haley Joy last February. She's pictured above with her daughter and boyfriend Joel Schiffman above on December 3
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/02/17/47B3E22B00000578-5228455-image-m-40_1514915793645.jpg)
![BFF: Maria Shriver, an NBC News correspondent, congratulated her 'good friend on Instagram](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/02/17/47B3E22B00000578-5228455-image-m-42_1514915854106.jpg)
BFF: Maria Shriver, an NBC News correspondent, congratulated her 'good friend on Instagram
In a statement, NBC said that Kotb would be continuing to co-host the fourth hour with Gifford, while taking on her new job as co-anchor for the first two hours.
Things got emotional on the fourth hour when Kotb reappeared for her show with Gifford.
At one point, Gifford started to tear up so a production assistant passed them some tissues from a box attached to a boom mic.
'We came back last year and started the new year which was in 2017. You had no idea this baby was going to be brought into your life, like this blessing from heaven, and you had no idea you would start out the new year as the co-host of the iconic "Today" show,' Gifford said.
'And that we, you and me are together. Forever. You are stuck with me. Okay?' Kotb replied.
'I love you,' Gifford said.
'I love you so much,' Kotb added.
Gifford also told People that Lauer would have been thrilled with Kotb's success.
'The whole thing with Matt is not something we want to get into. We love this man and we are heartbroken about him being gone. Our sense of joy is tempered by our sense of loss,' said Gifford.
'The best way to say it is that it’s a bit bittersweet. Nobody wants to profit off of someone’s pain. But this is reality. It’s a business, and someone has to move on. Matt would be the first to congratulate her and wish her well.'
![Goobyes: Hoda will continue to co-host the fourth hour of the Today show with Kathie Lee Gifford, right (Gifford pictured getting emotional during their show on Tuesday)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/02/15/47B38BAD00000578-5228455-image-a-87_1514907778280.jpg)
Kotb will continue to co-host the fourth hour of the Today show with Katie Lee Gifford, right (Gifford pictured getting emotional during their show on Tuesday)
!['You are stuck with me. Okay?' Hoda told Kathie Lee on their show on Tuesday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/02/15/47B38BB100000578-5228455-image-a-86_1514907773811.jpg)
'You are stuck with me. Okay?' Kotb told Gifford on their show on Tuesday
Kotb beats out several male rivals for the position. When Lauer's firing was announced in February, there were rumors that Carson Daly, Willie Geist and Craig Melvin were in the running for the position. This marks the first time in the show's history where it will be co-anchored by two women.
Daly was one of the first of Kotb's co-workers to congratulate her on Twitter Tuesday morning, writing: 'Congrats @hodakotb on your well deserved promotion! We love you! #SavannahHodaTODAY'
This is the first time that two women have hoisted the NBC morning show and just the second time that two females fronted one of the network programs.
Robin Roberts previously co-hosted GMA with Diane Sawyer from 2006 to 2009.
It's been a hallmark year for Kotb, who last February went on maternity leave after adopting a baby girl named Haley Joy Kotb.
![Weatherman Al Roker, right, was the first of many co-workers to take to Twitter and congratulate Kotb](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/02/13/47B321F400000578-5228455-image-a-42_1514898322262.jpg)
Weatherman Al Roker, right, was the first of many co-workers to take to Twitter and congratulate Kotb
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