Morning television is basically a game of musical chairs where the music never stops. For an entire year, fans of the 10 a.m. hour on NBC were left wondering who would finally sit in the empty seat next to Jenna Bush Hager. The wait is finally over.
On January 12, 2026, the hoda and jenna replacement became official as Sheinelle Jones made her debut as the permanent co-host. It wasn't a stranger coming into the house. It was a family member finally getting her name on the lease. The show has officially been rebranded as Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, ending a chaotic but fascinating era of guest hosts and "what-ifs."
Honestly, the transition felt like a long time coming. After Hoda Kotb walked away on January 10, 2025, to focus on her daughters and launch her wellness project, Joy 101, the network didn't rush. They played it cool. They gave us Today with Jenna & Friends for a full year. We saw everyone from Jenna’s husband, Henry Hager, to her sister, Barbara, and about 60 other guest hosts try to fill those massive shoes.
The Sheinelle Jones Era: Why This Hoda and Jenna Replacement Makes Sense
Selecting Sheinelle Jones wasn't just about finding a warm body to sit behind the desk. It was about chemistry. If you’ve watched the Today show’s third hour over the last few years, you’ve seen Sheinelle, Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer, and Craig Melvin basically act like siblings. She already has the "vibes" required for the fourth hour, which is traditionally the hour of wine, laughs, and deep personal reveals.
During her debut on January 12, Sheinelle got incredibly real. She shared a text message her late husband, Uche Ojeh, sent her back in September 2024 when Hoda first announced her departure. He sent her a string of emojis that basically signaled he knew this was her moment. It was a heavy, beautiful start to a new chapter, especially since Sheinelle has been navigating the grief of losing him to cancer while maintaining her career at NBC for over 11 years.
Jenna Bush Hager seems genuinely relieved. She’s gone on record saying there is "nobody I'd rather sit next to." That’s high praise considering the carousel of talent she’s worked with over the last twelve months.
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What happened to the rest of the team?
The reshuffling didn't just stop at the 10 a.m. hour. It’s a domino effect.
- Craig Melvin is the heavy lifter now. He officially took over Hoda’s 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. anchor spot alongside Savannah Guthrie. He’s doing three hours of live TV back-to-back.
- Sheinelle Jones had to leave her seat at the 3rd hour table to focus on the 4th hour.
- Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer are still holding down the 3rd hour, now as a more streamlined trio with Craig.
The "Wine Torch" and Hoda’s Final Blessing
If you were looking for drama or a "breakup" vibe between the old and new hosts, you won't find it here. On January 13, 2026—just one day after the new show launched—Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford actually showed up to surprise Jenna and Sheinelle. They called it passing the "wine torch."
Hoda told the pair they were a "match made in heaven." She even shared that she gave Sheinelle 45 seconds of career-altering wisdom over the phone before the big announcement. Hoda’s exit was about her daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, but her fingerprints are still all over the studio. She’s even started a new digital show called Joy Rides where she interviews people like Stacy London and Savannah Guthrie while literally riding bikes or driving around.
She’s happy. Jenna’s happy. Sheinelle is, quite frankly, a powerhouse for taking this on.
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Why the hoda and jenna replacement took so long
Network executives aren't exactly known for their patience, so why wait a year? Ratings for Today with Jenna & Friends were actually decent. The "rotating door" strategy allowed the producers to "soft-test" different pairings without the pressure of a permanent contract.
They needed to make sure the audience liked the person. Morning TV viewers are notoriously picky about who they drink their coffee with. If the host feels "fake" or the chemistry is forced, people switch over to The View or Live with Kelly and Mark in a heartbeat.
By choosing Sheinelle, NBC went with the "safe" bet that also happens to be the most authentic one. She’s a journalist who can handle breaking news but also a mom and a friend who can talk about life's messiest moments without sounding like a script.
Key Takeaways for Today Show Fans
- Official Name: The show is now Today with Jenna & Sheinelle.
- The Theme: They have a new opening song, "We're Shining" by Blessing Offor.
- The Format: Expect the same mix of lifestyle, humor, and heart, just with Sheinelle’s specific brand of energy.
- Hoda's Status: She remains part of the NBC family in a broader sense but will not be a regular on the morning broadcast.
If you’re a fan who has been mourning the loss of the Hoda and Jenna duo, it’s worth giving the new iteration a shot. The first week of broadcasts showed a much higher energy level than the "Friends" era. It feels like a show that knows what it wants to be again.
To stay updated on the transition, you can watch the daily highlights on the Today show’s official YouTube channel or follow Jenna and Sheinelle on Instagram, where they’ve been posting behind-the-scenes clips of their new morning routine. If you miss Hoda, her Joy Rides series on the Joy 101 YouTube channel is the best place to find that classic Hoda energy.