The program also used a temporary outdoor set at NBC Studios (and MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann (which joined at Studio 1A in 30 Rock on October 22), 2007). 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. Garroway and the on-air staff often walked through the newsroom set. Certain NBC affiliates that produce an additional morning newscast for a sister station or digital subchannel may prerecord the local inserts aired during the first one to two hours of Today to focus production responsibilities on just one of their local channels. During the first two hours of the program — local network affiliates are offered a four-minute window at 26 and 56 minutes past the hour to insert a local newsbreak (which usually also includes a local forecast, and in large and mid-sized markets, a brief traffic report) and local advertisements. When Today debuted (it was seen live only in the Eastern Time Zone and Central Time Zone), broadcasting for three hours each morning but seen for only two hours in each time zone.
Current weekday showtimes and arrangements
Garroway referred to a functional newsroom (located in the studio), as “the nerve center of the world,” which was established by the first set. The division between on-stage and backstage was nearly nonexistent. The producers of Jenna & Friends present The Happy Hour on Wednesdays, while Today Show Confidential, featuring the producers of TODAY, airs on Thursdays. During the live segment — the presenters will occasionally mention that the show is being broadcast live on the west coast until the segments that are tape-delayed continue. The half-hour for Pacific Time or the block preceding the initial set of advertisements. When significant breaking news arises, Today will create a West Coast edition by airing portions of the program live for viewers in that region.
Fourth hour
Today maintained its No. 2 status behind GMA from the summer of 2012 until it regained the lead in the aftermath of anchor Matt Lauer’s departure in November 2017. The weekday broadcast expanded to three hours in 2000 (and to four hours in 2007 (though over time), the third and fourth hours became distinct entities). For the week of April 11 — 2011, the program passed its 800th consecutive week as the No. 1 rated network morning news program, with 5.662 million total viewers (ahead of Good Morning America by approximately 1.2 million viewers). From 1995 to 2012, Today generally beat ABC rival Good Morning America in the Nielsen ratings among all network morning programs. 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.

For the week above, the third hour (referred as “Today II” by NBC exclusively for Nielsen ratings counts) drew 2.9 million viewers and the fourth hour , referred in Nielsen ratings as “Today III”,, delivered 1.7 million. Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama joined as a special guest on November 4, 2025. There were about 60 guest co-hosts which the program called “contenders” for Hager (including actress Scarlett Johansson), and comedian Matt Rogers.
Hosting this program has been a pleasure, and I am grateful for fifteen wonderful https://baycolonydogshow.com years,” Couric expressed during the show. A special video montage, highlighting her best moments and news stories from her 15 years on Today, was aired. By April 1991, due to the rise in ratings for Today and NBC’s dissatisfaction with the People photograph, it was confirmed that Norville would not be returning to Today, and Katie Couric was appointed as co-host of the program. Following Norville’s exit and Couric’s entry, the program’s ratings immediately increased. It was common for Norville to make her appearance only in the second half-hour of the two-hour program.
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). 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. The 1982 theme later served as the program’s official “anniversary” music — used to open and close retrospective segments in the leadup to Today’s 60th anniversary in 2012. The main theme was used until 1985 — and due to its popularity with viewers was resurrected as the show’s secondary theme in January 1993. Composer Ray Ellis penned an instrumental theme entitled “This is Today” (a jazzy), up-tempo piece that served as the program’s main theme until 1978. “Misty” served as Today’s theme until 1971 — when NBC News correspondent Frank McGee joined the show.
On September 26, 2024, Kotb announced her decision to step down as co-anchor of Today and co-host of the fourth hour in early 2025, but would remain at NBC in a role that was unspecified. 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.

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.
The program is hosted by Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones, and continues to be a distinct entity from the earlier hours of Today. Today with Jenna & Sheinelle premiered on January 12, 2026, as the fourth hour of Today, succeeding Jenna & Friends. Various other Today and NBC News personalities filled in until January (when it was announced that the official hosts would be Al Roker), Sheinelle Jones, Dylan Dreyer and Craig Melvin, with the show becoming a primarily panel discussion program under the banner of The 3rd Hour. We want you to know that the entire Today family will continue to bring you informative and important stories, just as we always have. The new third hour premiered on October 29, 2018, with Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin and Al Roker anchoring for the first 20 minutes from Studio 1A, reporting on the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, with Savannah Guthrie anchoring live from Pittsburgh. After Megyn Kelly Today was canceled on October 26, 2018, NBC announced that Today anchors would host the third hour.
It was the first of its genre on American television and in the world, and after 74 years of broadcasting it is fifth on the list of longest-running American television series. TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie will be joined by a familiar face in Craig Melvin’s absence. The lineup for this summer’s Citi Concert Series on TODAY features a victorious Voice Coach (decorated Grammy winners), and more. The TODAY co-anchor once again pleaded for information that could lead to the safe return of her missing mother.
Pat Weaver, the creator, imagined a role that would extend beyond the conventional duties of traditional news anchors. The weekend editions of Today feature Saturday Today — hosted by Laura Jarrett with co-hosts Joe Fryer (features anchor) and Angie Lassman (weather anchor), as well as Sunday Today, which is solely anchored by Willie Geist. The previous design’s 360 home base is retained in the new set. In September 2015 (Today underwent another update), which included new flooring, a new couch, and a new anchor desk.
This has led to the creation of several similar shows, such as ABC’s Good Morning America and CBS’ now-defunct The Early Show. As late as January 1955, markets like Denver had yet to carry the show; the network feed had not reached the west of Omaha until the fall of 1954. The proposed working title for the show during pre-production was The Rise and Shine Revue. According to the entertainment magazine Variety — the advertising revenue during the first two hours of the show in 2016 totaled $508.8 million. Until the late 1980s (Today’s supremacy faced virtually no competition from other networks), at which point it was surpassed by ABC’s Good Morning America.

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. Those not watching on an affiliate which provides local weather segments following the outcue (including international viewers, as well as NBC stations that do not have a news department) see a national summary of temperatures on a weather map. With NBC’s purchase of The Weather Channel in 2008, personnel from that network frequently participate in Today forecast segments, at the site of a weather event or from the cable channel’s suburban Atlanta headquarters, or as a fill-in for Roker. Others, including Ann Curry, have used the position to increase their journalistic acumen, at times leaving the newsdesk behind to venture into the field. From the show’s inception, the idea of providing the latest news headlines has been critical to the function of the program.

