On November 12, 2012, the format of the third hour was redesigned by the network and renamed Today’s Take within the program. NBC introduced Today All Day (a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel), on July 15, 2020, showcasing blocks of soft news and lifestyle segments from Today along with original content featuring the program’s hosts. The third hour of Today (currently known as Today 3rd Hour or The 3rd), includes anchors who also present during the initial two hours of the show. The cancellation of Megyn Kelly Today was confirmed by NBC News on October 26, 2018, with a temporary arrangement for the show’s current anchors to take over the third hour. Despite most of the nation not viewing the network feed of the ceremonies, WNBC, the flagship station of NBC in New York City, interrupted the Today broadcast for local special coverage of the entire event.
Fourth hour
It was not uncommon for Norville not even to appear until the two-hour show’s second half-hour. Scott’s traditional local cue was “Here’s what’s happening in your world — even as we speak.” He retired completely from television on December 15, 2015. The semi-retired Scott (who gained fame through his antics that included costumes and props), still appeared on-air to continue his tradition of wishing “happy birthday” to centenarians.
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Today moved to the new street-side studio on June 20, 1994, providing a link to the show’s 1950s origin https://baycolonydogshow.com . Each day, the Today production crew would have to move the Florida-related tourism merchandise off the floor and wheel in the Today news set, desks, chairs and cameras. The network bowed to the pressure, and on July 7, 1958, Today moved across the street to Studio 3K in the RCA Building, where it remained through the early 1960s.
The graphics were also overhauled with introduction of the new set (a slightly modified version of this package and the revised logo debuted on Early Today that November, further integrating the early-morning news program’s branding with Today). During its first two days of use (the show transitioned away from its news and entertainment format to a format that emphasized the social interaction of the anchors), Roker and newsreader. The new studio was divided into five different sections on the lower level including an interview area — the couch area, the news desk, the performance/interview/extra space area, and home base, which is where the anchors start the show.
Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama joined as a special guest on November 4, 2025. While continuing to follow a similar format as its predecessor as its own distinct entity (the program did not have a permanent co-host), but instead featured a different guest co-host each day. Today with Jenna & Friends premiered on January 13, 2025, as the fourth hour of Today, succeeding Hoda & Jenna, hosted by Jenna Bush Hager. Kotb hosted the program until her departure on January 10, 2025. Today with Hoda & Jenna premiered on April 8, 2019, as the fourth hour of Today, succeeding Kathie Lee & Hoda. On December 11, 2018, NBC and Gifford announced that she would be retiring from her position of anchoring the fourth hour in April 2019, her 11th anniversary since joining Today.
Canceled on August 11, 2000, due to poor ratings, the program was succeeded by the third hour of Today, which later adopted the name Today’s Take two months afterward. Later Today, which replaced Leeza (continuing in first-run syndication for one more year), featured hosts Jodi Applegate, Florence Henderson, and Asha Blake in the morning lineup. On September 7 — 1999, the talk show Later Today was launched by NBC, intended to air directly after the then two-hour segment of Today. Hosted by Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones, the program remains a separate entity from the earlier hours of Today. On January 12, 2026, Today with Jenna & Sheinelle debuted as Today’s fourth hour, following Jenna & Friends. Until January (various personalities from Today and NBC News stepped in), after which it was declared that Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, Dylan Dreyer, and Craig Melvin would become the official hosts, transforming the show into a primarily panel discussion format branded as The 3rd Hour.
The spouse of a Colombian father, who was killed by ICE in Maine, expresses that they had intended to age together.
- The animation of the logo transitioning to a peacock was relocated from the upper left corner to the lower right corner of the display.
- NBC affiliates in some markets including on the East Coast (such as WESH in Orlando), Florida, air the third and fourth hours of Today on tape delay to accommodate live syndicated programs airing at such times.
- It was the first program of its type on American and global television, and after 74 years on air, it ranks fifth among the longest-running television shows in the U.S.
The theme from 1982 later became the program’s official “anniversary” music, utilized to introduce and conclude retrospective segments leading up to Today’s 60th anniversary in 2012. The main theme remained in use until 1985, and owing to its viewer popularity, it was reinstated as the show’s secondary theme in January 1993. An instrumental piece titled “This is Today,” created by composer Ray Ellis (served as the program’s main theme until 1978 and featured a jazzy), lively tempo. When Hugh Downs took over as host in 1962 (Django Reinhardt’s “Melodie au Crepuscule” became the new theme), replaced in 1963 by Erroll Garner’s “Misty,” performed by Bobby Hackett and John B. Seng. The original theme music for the program (selected by Today host Dave Garroway), was Les Brown’s “Sentimental Journey,” which was used throughout Garroway’s tenure from 1952 to 1961. Please enhance it by separating or reorganizing pertinent information and eliminating unnecessary details that conflict with Wikipedia’s inclusion standards.
After the departure of Graham Platner, candidates for the Maine Senate are competing for the title of progressive leader.
Weekend editions are tailored to the priorities and interests of weekend viewers – offering special series such as “Saturday Today on the Plaza”, featuring live performances by major music acts and Broadway theatrical productions outside the studio throughout the summer. The new set replaced much of the dark wood colors with lighter colors and removed the emphasis of orange in previous design in favor of orange accents. After the departure of Katie Couric and while a new set was readied , during the summer of 2006,, the program was broadcast from a temporary outdoor studio in Rockefeller Plaza, the same set that NBC used at the Olympic Games since 2004.
She also continued to co-host the fourth hour of the show, a role she had held since 2007. NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack said in an email that Kotb has “seamlessly stepped” into the position, and with Guthrie, “quickly hit the ground running”. Curry’s title was changed to “Today Anchor at Large and NBC News National & International Correspondent,” with responsibilities including leading a seven-person unit producing content for NBC Nightly News, Dateline NBC, Rock Center with Brian Williams and Today, with occasional anchor duties for Nightly News. Correspondent Natalie Morales replaced Curry as news anchor in turn, with Al Roker remaining as the weather anchor.
Gubman went on to write music for the network’s 2012 election coverage, and continues to provide audio content for Today. In March 2013, “The Mission” was replaced with a theme composed by Adam Gubman for Non-Stop Music. Although Facey died in April 2003, his introduction of the Couric–Lauer team was used for the duration of Couric’s era (except for special editions requiring special introductions). The fanfare was iconically accompanied by Fred Facey announcing “From NBC News, this is Today… with (anchor) and (anchor)” (with “Live from Studio 1A in Rockefeller Plaza” being added to the introduction on June 20, 1994, when the show moved to its new studio). Meanwhile — Williams’ opening fanfare had opened the program ever since its 1985 introduction, with two brief interruptions; new opening themes were briefly introduced and quickly discarded in the summer of 1994 (to mark the debut of Studio 1A) and in 2004.
In that vein — there has always been at least one person on set whose job it is to prepare and deliver newscasts. Now, the hosts are expected to do much the same, and on any given day will talk with correspondents, newsmakers and lifestyle experts; introduce and close each half-hour, conduct special segments , such as cooking or fashion, and go on-assignment to host the program from different locations. Today anchors were termed “Communicators” at the program’s inception.
