It’s official: one of morning television’s most beloved corners is about to get a makeover. On December 9, 2025, it was announced live on air that Sheinelle Jones will become the permanent co-host of the fourth hour of TODAY, joining long-time host Jenna Bush Hager beginning January 12, 2026.

This marks the end of a season of rotating guest hosts — and the beginning of what many hope will be a renewed era of warmth, authenticity, and comfort in America’s living rooms.

From Guest Spot to Front Seat

Over the last ten months, the 10 a.m. hour has undergone a whirlwind of guest hosts, from actors to public figures to familiar NBC faces. Broadcast as Today with Jenna & Friends, the segment became a revolving door of personalities, beloved one day and replaced the next.

But Jenna Bush Hager said those audition-style weeks are over. With Sheinelle Jones joining full time, the show returns to a stable co-hosting team — and a sense of home. On air the day of the announcement, Hager choked up with emotion, praising the journey they’ve taken and calling Jones her “forever friend.”

For Jones, the new role isn’t just a promotion — it’s deeply meaningful. She called the opportunity “beyond my wildest dreams,” and emphasized her hope to “bring joy, hope, [and] comfort” to viewers.

A Personal Journey of Loss and Resilience

This new beginning comes at a poignant moment in Jones’s life. Earlier this year, she took a hiatus from broadcasting to care for her husband, Uche Ojeh, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a serious brain cancer. He passed away in May, leaving her with their three children.

Her return to the show in September was emotional and candid. In a heartfelt interview with colleagues, she spoke openly about grief — and about choosing joy. “If you see me laughing … know this: I’m fighting for my joy,” she said. “Cancer doesn’t have to steal our joy.”

Her candid reflections resonated deeply. When she briefly filled in alongside Jenna Bush Hager on September 22, the connection was palpable — so much so that some within the show and among insiders began to wonder if the temporary co-hosting might turn permanent. Clearly, it has.

A Fit Made for the Sofa — Why This Pairing Works

Jones isn’t new to the “Today” family. She joined NBC in 2014, worked initially on “Weekend TODAY,” and since 2019 has been a fixture on the third hour alongside longtime names like Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer, and Craig Melvin.

But this move has more than just familiarity going for it. It comes at a time when the show’s leadership seems especially eager to restore a sense of heart and consistency. After almost a year of experimenting with different guest hosts — and with younger, flashier media formats drawing viewers away — the stability of a dedicated co-host gives “Today with Jenna & Sheinelle” a chance to strengthen its bond with audiences hungry for authenticity.

Jenna Bush Hager echoed that sentiment, reflecting on the show’s legacy. She said that the hour has always been about friendship — a cozy, comforting space. Bringing Sheinelle into that frame isn’t just practical, she said — it feels right.

What This Means for Morning TV — and for Viewers

For NBC, this move signals a recalibration. Morning television has been under pressure — with changing viewer habits, younger audiences drifting to streaming, and traditional formats constantly rethinking their appeal. By putting a steady, trusted anchor back in place, the network seems to be betting on reliability over splashy celebrity guest spots.

For viewers, “Today with Jenna & Sheinelle” may become that reassuring daily habit once again — a show that feels like friends chatting on a couch, an upbeat start to a hectic day, and a reminder that amid all the chaos of the world, home base still exists.

For Sheinelle Jones, this is a second chance — not just to advance her career, but to heal, to hope, and to help others feel less alone. Her journey through grief, her resilience, and her visible determination to “bring joy” may be just what the show needs — and what an audience often needs, too.

A Soft Reboot — With Heart

The new co-hosting duo doesn’t just look like a change in personnel. It feels like the reboot of the soul of “Today’s” fourth hour. The rotating guest hosts brought energy and variety — but also uncertainty. With permanent hosts, the hour gains meaning, relationship, and familiarity.

In a world where much of television is built around clicks, ratings, flashy headlines — “Today with Jenna & Sheinelle” is shaping up to be a soft, meaningful anchor in the noise. One anchored in friendship, empathy, and the honest ups-and-downs of life.

As viewers wait for January 12 to arrive, there’s a quiet excitement — because for once, this announcement feels less about hype and more about home.