CRAIG Melvin was Savannah Guthrie’s “first choice” to replace Hoda Kotb as her Today co-anchor.

A source exclusively told The U.S. Sun that Craig’s major promotion was a move ultimately made by Savannah, 52.

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Today Show lead Savannah Guthrie made the decision to bring Craig Melvin into the co-anchor spot vacated by Hoda Kotb, according to a source (pictured on Today)Credit: Getty

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Craig announced as Today’s new co-host during Thursday’s show (on Today)Credit: Getty
“This was Savannah’s top pick for the job, she’s the one in charge over there, so what she says, goes,” the insider claimed.

The insider added that Savannah’s seat at the Today anchor desk has gotten more powerful with Hoda on her way out.

“Now with Hoda gone, Savannah has total control over the show.

“No one in the history of Today has been as powerful as Savannah now is. Not even Matt Lauer or Katie Couric,” the insider said.

Meanwhile, they noted that moving Craig into Hoda’s spot is also a major cost-cutting measure for NBC.

Craig is reportedly getting $5 million to do the three hours of Today, while Hoda was reportedly making around $20 million.

“Gone are days of multi-million deals. Plus, he must host the first three hours- he wanted to host two like Savannah, and NBC said no.

“It’s a bang for the buck move.”

BIG MOVES

Hoda told her Today audience in September that after almost two decades, she was leaving the morning show.

Craig will officially take over as cohost on January 13, with Hoda’s last day being January 10.

Al Roker terrifies Today co-hosts with Beetlejuice costume – and Hoda Kotb recoils at his ‘hideous teeth’
The 45-year-old anchor has been with NBC for 14 years.

Craig will now join the 7am hour of the show, alongside Savannah.

“I am beyond excited and grateful,” an emotional Craig said on Thursday.

“I had a lot of conversations yesterday with a lot of people who mean a lot to me, and I want to thank NBC and the folks here who deemed me worthy.

TODAY Show hosts

NBC’s Today show premiered in 1952 and has bidden viewers good morning every weekday since, adding Saturday and Sunday shows in the 1980s and 1990s. The show’s current host lineup includes:

Hoda Kotb
Al Roker
Savannah Guthrie
Craig Melvin
Jenna Bush Hager
Carson Daly
Sheinelle Jones
Dylan Dreyer

“I’ve enjoyed a lifetime of blessings, and this is the latest in a long line of blessings,” he said.

Savannah beamed as her new co-anchor was announced.

The Today Show lead said: “Our dear friend, and talented, wonderful, hardworking, most worthy of this, Craig Melvin is the new anchor of the Today show.”

“The larger staff found out this morning, and people broke into applause.

“This is the most popular decision NBC has ever made,” she said.

She then told Hoda that she is “irreplaceable in our hearts” before continuing to praise Craig as “talented, wonderful, hard-working, most-worthy.”

Hoda also gave her blessing to Craig, praising the host for being “literally made for this job.”

“You have all the things this job needs,” she said.

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Hoda announced she was stepping down from Today back in SeptemberCredit: Getty

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Savannah was elated making the announcement that Craig would be stepping into Hoda’s roleCredit: Getty

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The insider said that with Hoda out, Savannah is the most powerful anchor in Today Show history, even more powerful than now disgraced Matt LauerCredit: Getty