NBC London Olympics Exec Producer Jim Bell, who “shouldered most of the criticism directed at the network, is poised for a promotion to a larger role within NBC's news or sports division,” according to sources cited by Liana Baker of REUTERS. The sources said that Bell is “well-regarded" by NBCU President & CEO Steve Burke and is "likely to move up within the next six months.” One of the sources said that Bell is “probably in line for a kind of uber-producing sports role like the one Dick Ebersol -- NBC's longtime Olympics executive producer and former Sports Chief who served as a mentor to Bell -- played for the network.” The same source said that Comcast “is happy with current NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus, who took that post in 2011, so the company may create a new position for Bell, one that would possibly have him oversee the Olympics full-time.” NBC has U.S. rights to broadcast the next four Olympics through '20. Bell received “kudos inside and outside of NBC for openly engaging with the network's social media critics.” While tweeting “under the logo 'Keep Calm and Watch The Olympics,' he responded to questions from local affiliates, tweeted ratings performance updates and interacted with frustrated viewers.” A source said that Bell is “not necessarily set on sports and 'would be open to anything,' even a larger role within the news division” (REUTERS, 8/18).
