Tom Llamas, the new anchor of NBC News, has introduced a "more hands-on and hard-charging" approach compared to his predecessor, Lester Holt, according to a recent report. This shift has unsettled some staff accustomed to Holt’s laid-back style, sources told Breaker.
Llamas, 46, brings an aggressive edge, with insiders describing his management as "extremely challenging" for some team members.
“He pushes people to do their best and think deeply about the editorial process,” a correspondent said, noting it elevates performance.
Meghan Rafferty, Llamas’ executive producer, described working with him as “super fun” during a Tuesday lunch meeting at 30 Rock, where she announced her departure to join Versant, MSNBC’s new parent company.
Holt, 66, who anchored for a decade before leaving last spring, was a viewer favorite. Llamas now faces the challenge of rivaling ABC World News Tonight’s David Muir, whose program recently achieved its largest ratings victory over NBC Nightly News in over a year.
Llamas, once mentored by Muir, has gained traction with younger audiences, occasionally surpassing Muir in the coveted 25-54 demographic—prized by advertisers for its disposable income—since taking over in June.