A temporary outdoor set was also utilized by the program at NBC Studios — and Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC joined it at Studio 1A in 30 Rock starting October 22, 2007. Each day — it was necessary for the Today production crew to clear the Florida-themed tourism merchandise from the floor and transport the Today news set, including desks, chairs, and cameras. The newsroom set was often traversed by Garroway along with the on-air staff. Some NBC affiliates (which create an extra morning newscast for either a sister station or a digital subchannel), might prerecord local segments aired in the initial one to two hours of Today, allowing them to concentrate production efforts on just one of their local channels.

Today’s scheduled showtimes and configurations

Yielding to pressure, the network relocated Today across the street to Studio 3K in the RCA Building on July 7, 1958, where it continued to broadcast until the early 1960s. Garroway referred to the first set — which featured a functional newsroom, as “the nerve center of the world. There was almost no distinction between the on-stage and backstage areas. The producers of Jenna & Friends present The Happy Hour on Wednesdays, whereas Today Show Confidential, produced by the team behind TODAY, airs on Thursdays. Throughout the live segment, the presenters will intermittently refer to the show being live on the west coast until the tape-delayed segments pick up again. The set of advertisements preceding the half-hour mark , Pacific Time,. When significant breaking news occurs, Today will generate a West Coast edition by airing certain portions of the show live for viewers in that region.

Fourth hour

From the summer of 2012 until November 2017 (when anchor Matt Lauer’s departure led to a resurgence), Today held the No. 2 position behind GMA. In 2000 — the weekday broadcast was extended to three hours, and in 2007 it increased to four hours, with the third and fourth hours evolving into separate entities over time. During the week of April 11, 2011, the program achieved its 800th consecutive week as the top-rated network morning news program, attracting 5.662 million viewers, surpassing Good Morning America by roughly 1.2 million viewers. Between 1995 and 2012, Today consistently outperformed its ABC counterpart Good Morning America in Nielsen ratings across all network morning shows. Gubman composed music for the network’s 2012 election coverage and continues to supply audio content for Today. In March 2013 — a new theme, created by Adam Gubman for Non-Stop Music, replaced “The Mission.

For the aforementioned week, the third hour, labeled “Today II” exclusively for Nielsen ratings by NBC, attracted 2.9 million viewers, while the fourth hour, known in Nielsen ratings as “Today III,” garnered 1.7 million. On November 4, 2025, the former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, made a guest appearance. Approximately 60 guest co-hosts (referred to as “contenders,” including actress Scarlett Johansson and comedian Matt Rogers), participated in the program.

Couric said during the show https://baycolonydogshow.com (“It’s been a pleasure hosting this program), and thank you for fifteen great years.” A special video presentation was broadcast, recapping her best moments and news stories on Today during her 15 years with the show. By April 1991, in light of improved ratings on Today and NBC’s displeasure at the People photograph, it was announced that Norville would not return to Today and that Katie Couric had been named the program’s co-host. Ratings for the program rose immediately following Norville’s departure and Couric’s arrival. It was not uncommon for Norville not even to appear until the two-hour show’s second half-hour.

Although Facey died in April 2003, his introduction of the Couric–Lauer team was used for the duration of Couric’s era (except for special editions requiring special introductions). Meanwhile, Williams’ opening fanfare had opened the program ever since its 1985 introduction, with two brief interruptions; new opening themes were briefly introduced and quickly discarded in the summer of 1994 , to mark the debut of Studio 1A, and in 2004. The 1982 theme later served as the program’s official “anniversary” music, used to open and close retrospective segments in the leadup to Today’s 60th anniversary in 2012. The main theme was used until 1985 — and due to its popularity with viewers was resurrected as the show’s secondary theme in January 1993. Composer Ray Ellis penned an instrumental theme entitled “This is Today” (a jazzy), up-tempo piece that served as the program’s main theme until 1978. “Misty” served as Today’s theme until 1971, when NBC News correspondent Frank McGee joined the show.

On September 26, 2024, Kotb announced her decision to step down as co-anchor of Today and co-host of the fourth hour in early 2025, but would remain at NBC in a role that was unspecified. She also continued to co-host the fourth hour of the show — a role she had held since 2007. NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack said in an email that Kotb has “seamlessly stepped” into the position, and with Guthrie, “quickly hit the ground running”. Curry’s title was changed to “Today Anchor at Large and NBC News National & International Correspondent,” with responsibilities including leading a seven-person unit producing content for NBC Nightly News (Dateline NBC), Rock Center with Brian Williams and Today, with occasional anchor duties for Nightly News.

The graphic designs underwent a revamp alongside the launch of the new set, with a slightly modified version of this package and the updated logo debuting on Early Today that November, further aligning the early-morning news program’s branding with Today. Over its initial two days of use (the show shifted from its traditional news and entertainment format to one that highlighted the social interactions of the anchors), Roker and the newsreader. The new studio featured five distinct sections on the lower level (including an interview area), the couch area, the news desk, a performance/interview/extra space area, and home base, where the anchors commence the show.

Hosted by Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones, the program remains a separate entity from the earlier hours of Today. Premiering on January 12 — 2026, Today with Jenna & Sheinelle succeeded Jenna & Friends as the fourth hour of Today. Various personalities from Today and NBC News filled in until January (when it was officially announced that Al Roker), Sheinelle Jones, Dylan Dreyer, and Craig Melvin would serve as hosts, transitioning the show into a primarily panel discussion format known as The 3rd Hour. We want to assure you that the entire Today family will keep delivering you important and informative stories, just as we have always done. The new third hour launched on October 29, 2018, with Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, and Al Roker anchoring the first 20 minutes from Studio 1A, covering the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, while Savannah Guthrie anchored live from Pittsburgh. Following the cancellation of Megyn Kelly Today on October 26, 2018, NBC declared that Today anchors would take over hosting duties for the third hour.

As the first of its kind on American television and globally — it ranks fifth among the longest-running American television series after 74 years of broadcasting. In Craig Melvin’s absence, TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie will be accompanied by a familiar personality. This summer’s lineup for the Citi Concert Series on TODAY showcases a triumphant Voice Coach, celebrated Grammy winners, and more. Once again — the TODAY co-anchor appealed for information that could lead to the safe return of her missing mother.

Creator Pat Weaver envisioned a person whose responsibilities would go beyond the bounds of traditional sit-down news anchors. Weekend editions of Today include Saturday Today anchored by Laura Jarrett alongside co-hosts Joe Fryer (features anchor) and Angie Lassman (weather anchor), and Sunday Today anchored solely by Willie Geist. The new set retains the 360 home base used in the previous design. In September 2015 Today updated the set once again (the update included new floors), a new couch, and a new anchor desk.

It has led to several similar shows — including ABC’s Good Morning America and CBS’ now-defunct The Early Show. As recently as January 1955 — markets like Denver were not yet airing the show; the network’s feed had not expanded west of Omaha until autumn 1954. During pre-production, the show was initially titled The Rise and Shine Revue. According to the entertainment magazine Variety, the advertising revenue during the first two hours of the show in 2016 amounted to $508.8 million. Until the late 1980s, Today faced little competition from other networks, but was eventually surpassed by ABC’s Good Morning America.

Viewers not tuned into an affiliate that provides local weather segments after the outcue (including international audiences and NBC stations lacking a news department) are shown a national temperature summary on a weather map. Following NBC’s acquisition of The Weather Channel in 2008 (personnel from that channel frequently engage in Today forecast segments), either on-site at weather events or from the cable channel’s suburban Atlanta headquarters, or as substitutes for Roker. Others (such as Ann Curry), have leveraged the role to enhance their journalistic skills, occasionally stepping away from the news desk to explore field reporting. Since its launch, the program has prioritized delivering the latest news headlines as a fundamental aspect of its mission.