Carson Daly Named Co-Anchor of 'Saturday Today' on NBC

Carson Daly is taking on a new assignment at NBC. The broadcaster, who has been part of the network since 2002 through programs like "Last Call" and "The Voice," will become co-anchor of "Saturday Today," appearing opposite Laura Jarrett. His first broadcast in the new role is set for November 7.

The appointment gives the weekend program a permanent anchor pairing following the departure of Peter Alexander, who left the show for a new anchor position at MS NOW.

The move deepens Daly's connection to "Today," where he has worked as a correspondent and co-anchor since 2013. He originally delivered updates on trending pop culture and social media, but gradually became a more central member of the morning show's anchor team. He is expected to keep appearing on the weekday edition of "Today," which means he will be working six days a week for NBC News.

His other duties will continue as well. Daly will remain host and executive producer of "The Voice" and will continue as an executive producer of "The Voice: Celebrity."

"Carson has been an integral part of the 'Today' family for the past 13 years, and we are thrilled that our viewers get to spend one more day of the week with him," said Libby Leist, executive vice president of Today and lifestyle at NBC News, in a statement. "Carson and Laura make a great team, and we can't wait for this fresh new chapter of 'Saturday Today.'"

Daly is not known as a hard news journalist, but he brings extensive experience as a host and interviewer from his years in radio and at MTV. NBC News believes his background will pair well with Jarrett, whose specialty is legal coverage. Feature anchor Joe Fryer and meteorologist Angie Lassman will both remain with the Saturday broadcast.

The change comes as NBC reshapes its Saturday lineup in the wake of a similar shake-up at ABC, which recently adjusted the anchor teams for weekend editions of "Good Morning America." Rachel Scott, the Disney news division's senior political correspondent, began co-anchoring Saturday telecasts on September 12 alongside Whit Johnson, while Rhiannon Ally, a veteran of overnight programming, now appears Sundays with Gio Benitez.

Bringing Daly to Saturdays appears designed to give the program a distinct identity, similar to Willie Geist's "Sunday Today," which emphasizes in-depth interviews, or the Saturday edition of "CBS Mornings," which leans into music and food. In recent years, NBC staffed "Saturday Today" with journalists connected to Washington coverage. Before Jarrett, Alexander was paired with Kristen Welker, now the moderator of "Meet the Press," and for a stretch the two anchored the Saturday show from the nation's capital.

"I'm thrilled to add 'Saturday Today' to my weekday morning schedule. My kids asked if I'll still make pancakes. I told them yes, but I'll be making them for Laura, Joe and Angie instead," Daly said in a statement. "I'm equal parts grateful and excited for this opportunity."