Former “Today” host Hoda Kotb is officially entering her next era, and it is all about movement, connection and joy.
On Jan. 14, Kotb announced that she is launching a new digital talk show titled “Joy Rides,” marking her first major hosting project one year after stepping away from NBC’s long-running morning show. The series premieres Jan. 21 on the Joy 101 YouTube channel and will roll out weekly on Wednesdays.
Kotb shared the news on Instagram, posting a teaser video alongside a caption that perfectly sums up the show’s laid-back vibe. “Hop in, @hodakotb is going for a Joy Ride! Where to? Doesn’t matter. The best conversations happen when you’re on the move,” she wrote. She added that the series will feature “six incredible guests” across “six totally different rides,” with the show presented by QVC, according to Parade.
In the teaser, Kotb is seen biking through a Brooklyn park, smiling as she explains the concept and invites her first guest to join her. The format leans into casual, unscripted conversations that unfold while traveling, whether on a bike or in a car, leaning into the idea that some of the most meaningful talks happen away from a studio set.
Inside “Joy Rides” and the Guest List
The first guest revealed is stylist and TV personality Stacy London, who joins Kotb for the premiere ride. Another familiar face soon hops in as well. Kotb picks up her former “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie in the teaser, casually explaining the premise as “a little Joy Ride.” Guthrie jokes back that joy is usually hard to come by at that hour, making the ride a welcome change.
Additional guests teased for the series include Peloton instructor Ally Love and jewelry designer Jennifer Miller, according to Parade. While each episode will feature a different guest and route, the focus remains the same: honest conversation, friendship and perspective.
The announcement quickly sparked excitement from fans, many of whom said they missed seeing Kotb in a hosting role. Instagram comments flooded in with reactions like “How exciting!!!! Love this!!,” “Can’t wait!!” and “This is going to be so good,” reflecting how strongly viewers still connect with her on-screen presence.
A Full-Circle Moment After “Today”
The timing of “Joy Rides” feels intentional. The launch comes exactly one year after Kotb’s final day on “Today,” a decision she has described as both emotional and necessary. Earlier this month, while covering the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis for NBC, Kotb told 5 On Your Side that leaving the show was painful but right. “It can hurt and still be the right thing to do,” she said, explaining that she stepped away while she still loved it.
Kotb has stayed close to the NBC family, continuing to cover major events like the Olympics, while also focusing on Joy 101 and her podcast. She also made headlines earlier this month when she reunited with Kathie Lee Gifford for a surprise cameo on the fourth hour of “Today,” offering a symbolic passing of the torch to Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones, according to Entertainment Weekly.
With “Joy Rides,” Kotb is carving out a new lane that blends her signature warmth with a more relaxed, digital-first format. The series officially launches Jan. 21 on the Joy 101 YouTube channel, inviting viewers to hop in and see where the ride takes them.
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