Sheinelle Jones: The year-long mystery of who would permanently fill the empty chair next to Jenna Bush Hager has finally been solved. In an emotional broadcast this Tuesday morning,
NBC’s Today show revealed that longtime family member Sheinelle Jones will officially step in as the permanent co-anchor of the fourth hour.
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Sheinelle Jones Officially Named as Hoda Kotb’s Successor Alongside Jenna Bush Hager
The beloved morning slot, which has been operating under the rotating banner of Today with Jenna & Friends since Hoda Kotb’s departure in January 2025, will be rebranded as Today with Jenna & Sheinelle starting January 12, 2026.
An Emotional Reveal
The announcement was far from a standard press release. During the 10 a.m. hour, a tearful Jenna Bush Hager addressed the audience, signaling the end of her “year of wandering” with guest hosts.
“Today I am so thrilled to announce that I found my forever friend and we are going to start a brand new journey in January,” Hager said, her voice cracking with emotion. “I couldn’t be more excited to share this person with you all. You all know her, she’s an extraordinary broadcaster. But more importantly, she exemplifies exactly what this show is all about.”
When Jones walked onto the set, the two embraced in a moment that highlighted genuine off-screen friendship. For Jones, the promotion comes after a year of profound personal heartbreak; she lost her husband, Uche Ojeh, to brain cancer in May 2025.
“You could not write this script,” Jones told the audience. “When I came back from leave, I talked about fighting for your joy — this is what that looks like.”
Hoda’s Blessing
The shadow of Hoda Kotb, the matriarch of the fourth hour for 17 years, still looms large, but she has given the new pairing her enthusiastic blessing. Jones revealed that Kotb called her the night before the announcement, offering “45 seconds of wisdom that changed me.”
According to Jones, Kotb assured her that this was the “best decision,” predicting, “It’s going to be better than you could ever imagine.”
A New Chapter for the Fourth Hour
The transition marks a significant shift for the Today show’s lineup.
- The Chemistry: Jones and Hager are already well-acquainted colleagues. Jones has been a staple of the 3rd Hour of Today alongside Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer, and Craig Melvin. Her move to the 10 a.m. slot breaks up the 3rd hour quartet but solidifies the 4th hour’s future.
- The Format: While specific segment changes haven’t been announced, the rebranding to Jenna & Sheinelle suggests a return to the dual-anchor, chat-heavy format that Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford originally made famous, moving away from the “revolving door” of celebrity guests that defined 2025.
- The Timeline: Jones will officially take her seat on January 12, 2026, giving the production team a month to finalize the new set branding and graphics.
The End of an Era, The Start of Another
For fans, the news brings a sense of closure. When Hoda Kotb left in early 2025 to focus on her daughters, Craig Melvin was quickly installed as her replacement for the main 7-9 a.m. news block. However, the 10 a.m. hour—often seen as the “fun,” unscripted heart of the morning—was left in flux.
By choosing Sheinelle Jones, NBC has opted for stability, warmth, and resilience. Jones is not an outsider; she is a familiar face who has weathered personal tragedy with public grace, a quality that resonates deeply with the Today audience.
As Jenna Bush Hager put it during the broadcast, the “month of wonder women” and rotating guests was fun, but finding a “forever friend” was the goal. Come January, the fourth hour will finally have a home again.
What This Means for You
- New Show Title: Look for Today with Jenna & Sheinelle in your guide starting Jan 12.
- 3rd Hour Changes: Expect upcoming announcements regarding how the 3rd Hour of Today will adjust to Jones’ departure.
- The Vibe: Anticipate a mix of deep personal storytelling and high-energy fun, leveraging the genuine chemistry between two working moms who have navigated a difficult year together.
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