Breaking: Sheinelle Jones Named Permanent Co‑Anchor of Today’s 10 a.m. Hour
NBC made it official on air this morning. Sheinelle Jones will permanently co‑anchor the fourth hour of Today with Jenna Bush Hager. The hour gets a fresh title, Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, and a fresh energy. The moment was heartfelt, joyful, and overdue. It also marks a powerful comeback for a woman millions feel they know.
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Inside the On‑Air Announcement
I watched the news land in Studio 1A with hugs, happy tears, and genuine relief. Jenna and Sheinelle locked into an easy rhythm that felt lived‑in, not rehearsed. The laughter was real. The gratitude was real. This is a pairing built on trust.
The decision closes a long chapter of guest hosts and guessing. Since Hoda Kotb’s departure in January, the 10 a.m. seat has been a question mark. Today answered it loudly. And they did it with a co‑host who knows the building, the staff, and the audience by name.
New title: Today with Jenna & Sheinelle. First day: Monday, January 12, 2026.
A Comeback That Hits Home
Sheinelle’s rise is not just a booking. It is a story of grit and grace. She stepped away in late 2024 for a family health crisis. Her husband, Uche Ojeh, battled glioblastoma. He died in May 2025 at 45. She returned to Today on September 5 of this year, open about the waves of grief, the sleepless nights, and the strength she finds in her three kids.
That candor pulled viewers closer. She spoke about first holidays without him. She talked about anxiety and the strange quiet that follows loud pain. Morning TV can skim the surface. She went deep, and people felt seen. Today is handing her a bigger microphone because she knows how to meet people where they are.
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Sheinelle joined the Today family in 2014. She became part of the third hour team in 2019.
What Changes At 10 A.M.
This hour has always been a hangout. With Sheinelle and Jenna, it becomes a clubhouse with purpose. Expect smart book talk, honest parenting stories, and joyful mess. Expect warmth, then a hard pivot to a headline, then a dance with the studio crew. Expect two women who can turn a light segment into something that sticks with you.
Here is what viewers can look for starting January:
- More lived‑in conversation, less filler
- Heartfelt interviews that breathe
- Books, family, wellness, and pop culture, all in the same hour
- A tone that welcomes both tears and giggles
Hoda’s exit left a legacy and a void. The show took its time and let chemistry lead. Today with Jenna & Sheinelle feels like a confident reset, not a stopgap.
Why This Moment Matters
Daytime TV keeps reinventing itself. This move says connection still wins. Sheinelle brings a journalist’s eye and a friend’s voice. Her presence also speaks to representation. A Black woman leading a flagship morning hour matters, in the room and on the screen. The audience will see it. Young viewers will feel it.
There is also the power of showing up after loss. Sheinelle has modeled how to carry grief and keep going. That honesty changes daytime TV. It gives viewers permission to bring their whole lives to the couch each morning. This hour will not dodge hard topics. It will meet them with kindness.
Set a reminder for January 12. The debut will be one to watch with your coffee ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the new name of the hour?
A: Today with Jenna & Sheinelle.
Q: When does Sheinelle start as permanent co‑anchor?
A: Monday, January 12, 2026.
Q: What happens to the rest of the Today lineup?
A: The fourth hour is confirmed. Scheduling for other hours will be shared by NBC as needed.
Q: Will the show’s format change?
A: Expect a refreshed pace, more heart, and the duo’s signature book, family, and pop culture mix.
Q: Why is this a big deal?
A: It closes a major vacancy, crowns a proven voice, and signals where daytime TV is heading.
Sheinelle Jones just turned a private season of heartbreak into a public chapter of hope. Today, she steps into the fourth hour not as a guest, but as a force. Jenna has her partner. The hour has its identity. Morning TV has its next great duo, and they are ready to get to work.
