(Entertainment-NewsWire.com, November 20, 2012 ) San Francisco, CA -- NBCUniversal is reorganizing its staff in light of declining ratings of its popular morning news program “Today.” NBCUniversal has reassigned executive producer Jim Bell, after a 7-year run in the role.
Bell has been named full-time executive producer of NBC's coverage of upcoming Olympic Games. According to NBCUniversal, the move fits the veteran sports broadcaster’s earlier role this year as executive producer of NBC's London Olympics coverage. In his new position within NBC Sports, Bell is being given editorial and creative control over NBC’s Games. Prior to overseeing "Today," Bell had spent 16 years with NBC Sports & Olympics, working on every Olympic Games NBC has broadcast for the last two decades.
Until this year, “Today” had been at the top of morning ratings for 16 years. NBCUniversal plans to soon announce a new executive producer of "Today”, but declined to comment on Bell's successor. Alexandra Wallace, a senior vice president of NBC News, will be part of the new "Today" management team, but will probably not replace Bell.
“Today” is now facing stiff competition from rival ABC’s Good Morning America (GMA). GMA recently ranked No. 1 in prominent airing time period. According to Nielsen ratings, GMA viewership has increased 3% so far this season. Last week GMA averaged 5.5 million viewers per telecast compared to 5.3 million for “Today”.
Bell has faced sharp criticism since the firing of Ann Curry as “Today” co-host in June due to declining ratings. She was replaced by Savannah Guthrie.
NBCUniversal is trying to strengthen the foundation of its news division. In July, NBCUniversal Chief Executive Steve Burke hired Pat Fili-Krushel, a former Time Warner and ABC executive, to run the company's news organizations as chairwoman of the NBCUniversal News Group. Fili-Krushel now oversees the presidents of NBC News, CNBC, and MSNBC.
“There is no doubt that Jim is the right person to be our Olympic production leader into the future,” Mark Lazarus, NBC Sports Chairman, said in a statement. “Jim has worked with the best in the Olympic television world, and we’re excited to have him join us as the full-time executive producer.”
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