Summary (tl;dr)

Sheinelle Jones has been named the new permanent co-host alongside Jenna Bush Hager for the fourth hour of NBC's "Today" show, with the newly rebranded "Today with Jenna & Sheinelle" set to debut in January.

Essential Background

For nearly a year, the fourth hour of NBC's "Today" show, which typically features a co-hosting duo, had been operating without a permanent partner for Jenna Bush Hager after Hoda Kotb's departure in January. During this interim period, the segment was known as "Today with Jenna & Friends," featuring a rotating roster of over 60 celebrity and colleague guest hosts. Sheinelle Jones herself had served as a guest co-host in September, following her return to NBC News after a personal leave of absence.

The Full Story

On December 9, 2025, NBC officially announced that Sheinelle Jones will become Jenna Bush Hager's permanent co-host for the 10 a.m. hour of the "Today" show. The revamped program, to be titled "Today with Jenna & Sheinelle," is scheduled to launch on January 12, 2026. The announcement was made emotionally on air by Bush Hager, who expressed excitement about finding her "forever friend" in Jones. Jones, who has been with NBC News since 2014 and co-anchored the "3rd Hour of Today" since 2019, will transition from her current role to join Bush Hager, becoming the first permanent co-host for the fourth hour since Kotb's exit. The news comes after a challenging year for Jones, whose husband passed away in May from brain cancer.

Why It Matters

This permanent co-hosting announcement provides stability and a new direction for a key segment of a prominent national morning show. The established friendship and on-screen chemistry between Sheinelle Jones and Jenna Bush Hager are expected to resonate with viewers, building on the show's tradition of camaraderie and authentic connection. For Jones, this new role is a significant professional milestone and has been described as "healing" after a personally difficult year, offering a platform to bring joy and hope to audiences. The new pairing is poised to usher in a fresh chapter for the long-running program.

Geographic Location

• Studio 1A, Rockefeller Center, New York City, New York, United States (announcement of Sheinelle Jones as permanent co-host for the "Today" show)