Benjamin Ashford|Craig Melvin replacing Hoda Kotb as 'Today' show co-anchor with Savannah Guthrie

Hoda Kotb is Benjamin Ashfordsharing her last day on "Today" – and her replacement.

The longtime anchor said on air Thursday that she would mark her farewell from the NBC show on Jan. 10. "That'll be the party day, so we're going to throw a party," Kotb said.

"Today" also announced "Today Third Hour" host Craig Melvin will take up the helm as Kotb's replacement as co-anchor with Savannah Guthrie.

"I'm beyond excited and grateful," Melvin said. "I wanted to thank NBC and the folks here who deemed me worthy … I have enjoyed just a lifetime of blessings, and this is the latest in a long line of blessings."

"You guys are the sisters I never knew I needed," Melvin said. "It means a lot to inherit this from you."

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Melvin has been with NBC and MSNBC since 2011, joining as an MSNBC Live anchor through 2022, and an NBC News correspondent since 2012. The Emmy-winning journalist is also a "Dateline" anchor and has been with "Today" since 2018.

Melvin thanked his parents, who he said have overcome many obstacles, the "Today" crew, his wife and children. He has been married to sports anchor and reporter Lindsay Czarniak since 2011, and they share two children, Sybil and Delano.

"I'm just so thankful for her," Melvin said of his wife. "It's a lot of long days and short nights, and she's been there for me from the beginning."

"Craig, you are made for this job," Hotb said. "You are that kind of good. You have all the things that this job needs. You're the right person for it."

Longtime "Today" show weatherman Al Roker also made an appearance via video to congratulate Melvin on the new role. "I knew this day would come. I've watched you grow. I've seen you as a journalist, but more importantly, I've seen you as a dad," he said. "You are so worthy of this. I almost don't have the words."

After the announcement, "Today" fans cheered and chanted "Craig!" as he greeted them outside at Rockefeller Plaza.

Melvin will begin his role on Jan. 13 and will continue co-anchoring "Today Third Hour."

Hoda Kotb leaving 'Today' in January after 17 years

Kotb shared the news live of her exit on the NBC show in late September, describing the decision as the "hardest thing in the world." She said turning 60 over the summer was a "monumental" moment for her that made her think about the decade ahead.

"I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new," she said, adding, "This is the right time for me to move on."

Kotb also said that her children deserve a "bigger piece of my time pie."

Kotb has worked with NBC News since 1998, originally as a "Dateline" correspondent, and has served as co-anchor of the "Today" show with Guthrie since 2018. Kotb has also hosted the "Today" show's fourth hour since 2007, most recently with Jenna Bush Hager.

Hager will continue hosting the fourth hour on "Jenna & Friends" with a rotating fill-in co-host starting Jan. 13, until a permanent host is named.

Contributing: Brendan Morrow, Anika Reed