The NFL has tapped Bell Media President MARY ANN TURCKE to "build its presence in the digital space" as its President of Digital Media & NFL Network, according to Etan Vlessing of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Turcke yesterday "stepped down" from her position at Bell to join the NFL Net and will be based in L.A. She will report to NFL Exec VP/Media BRIAN ROLAPP as the league "grows its live-streaming and mobile streaming efforts." Bell is the Canadian TV rights holder for NFL games (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 2/27). Bell yesterday said that President of Broadcasting & Content RANDY LENNOX is "taking over" Turcke's role immediately. The NFL and Bell Media have "worked closely together in recent months to fight a regulatory ruling that barred Bell from substituting its own television signal and Canadian ads over the U.S. signal during this year’s Super Bowl." Turcke "presided over a challenging time" at Bell Media as the company "reorganized its executive reporting structure and cut hundreds of jobs in an effort to rein in expenses and counter ongoing declines in advertising revenue" (GLOBE & MAIL, 2/28).
