Melvin, an NBC News veteran of almost 14 years, will take the anchor chair in January, a week before Hoda Kotb’s final appearance as co-host.

Veteran NBC host and news anchor Craig Melvin has been tapped to replace Hoda Kotb as co-host of the 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. hours of “Today.” Melvin is a familiar face to “Today” show viewers. He currently hosts the show’s third hour and is the news anchor during the first two hours.