NBC’s Today show has officially found its new fourth-hour pairing.
Sheinelle Jones has been named the permanent co-host alongside Jenna Bush Hager, marking the end of a nearly yearlong search following Hoda Kotb’s departure from the program. The show will now be titled Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, with Jones set to step into the role on Jan. 12.
The announcement was shared on Today’s official Instagram account on Tuesday. “After nearly a year of rotating 60 contenders, Jenna Bush Hager has found her permanent co-host for the fourth hour of TODAY: Sheinelle Jones!” the post read.
NBC clarified that while Jones moves into the fourth-hour spotlight, Craig Melvin, Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer will continue as co-hosts of the Third Hour of Today.
Hager and Jones confirmed the news live on Tuesday’s episode of Jenna & Friends, where Hager became emotional as she reflected on the past year.
“Over the last year, I’ve had the privilege of co-hosting this show with 60 incredible friends,” Hager said. “They’ve opened up to me and inspired me — and today, I’m so thrilled to announce that I’ve found my forever friend. We’re starting a brand-new journey in January.”
Calling Jones an “extraordinary broadcaster,” Hager added that her new co-host perfectly embodies the spirit of the show.
Jones then emerged from backstage, visibly emotional, and joined Hager on set. “I don’t know whether to laugh, cry, or scream,” she said through tears.
Jones, 47, has been a familiar face on Today since 2014, appearing regularly during the third hour of the show. Her move to the fourth hour represents a significant milestone in her career with the network.
The appointment comes after Hoda Kotb, 61, announced her departure from NBC in September 2024 after 26 years with the network. Kotb said at the time that she felt it was time to “move on” and officially exited the show in January.
Months later, industry sources told U.S. media that NBC had not yet selected a permanent replacement despite interest from several celebrities.
Jones herself returned to Today in September after taking time away following the death of her husband, Uche Ojeh, who died from brain cancer in May. In an emotional interview with Savannah Guthrie, Jones described her loss as “heart shattering.”
“It’s day to day,” she said. “I’m proud of myself for how I’ve coped. I’m proud of my kids for how they’re pushing through.”
Jones is the mother of three children — Kayin, 16, and 13-year-old twins Clara and Uche. She later shared that returning to work has been both grounding and challenging.
“Weekdays are easier because there’s structure,” she said. “Saturday mornings are the hardest. That’s when we used to look at each other and say, ‘What a week.’”
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