Hopefully, it will work out better for Rebecca Lowe post-Olympics than it did for Michelle Beadle.
Back in 2012, NBC’s new hire, Beadle, served as the host of the network’s big media session hyping the Games in London. Then she was host for the Olympics coverage on NBC SN.
Since then, it’s been all downhill for Beadle at NBC. When asked if she would have role in Sochi, a network spokesman said, “We are still finalizing our talent group for Sochi, which we expect to have completed by early January.”
Don’t hold your breath that Beadle will be in Russia.
Lowe, though, will. She will serve as the network’s lone female host during the Winter Games, handling the duties on NBC SN.
Lowe, who has received stellar reviews for her anchor duties of the Premier League, merited the high-profile assignment. She told Richard Deitsch of SI.com:
“When they asked if I would be interested, I was floored,” Lowe said. “I wasn’t expecting it. It is very easy to pigeonhole people and I think being a female back in the UK, I was pigeonholed as one of the females who does football (soccer) only. It’s very difficult to show people that you can actually do other things and why wouldn’t you be able to do so? I’d like the opportunity to say maybe I’m not just all about soccer, even as much as love the sport. Fingers crossed, I’m hoping I can show that.”
Besides Lowe, NBC also tabbed Dan Patrick and Lester Holt for host duties. Here’s the official rundown.
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NBC Olympics announced today that Dan Patrick, Rebecca Lowe, and Lester Holt will serve as hosts for its coverage of the XXII Olympic Winter Games from Sochi, Russia.
“We are excited to add Dan, Rebecca and Lester to our roster of anchors,” said Jim Bell, Executive Producer, NBC Olympics. “With wide-ranging experience, they will provide NBC and NBCSN viewers with news, insight and storytelling.”
The trio joins previously announced Bob Costas, NBC’s primetime and late night host, and Al Michaels, who will serve as host for NBC on weekend afternoons and NBCSN on weekdays.
Following is a closer look at NBC Olympics’ three newly announced Sochi Winter Games hosts:
DAN PATRICK: Patrick, co-host of NBC’s Football Night in America, the most-watched pre-game show in sports, will host NBCSN’s extensive live weekday and weekend coverage from Sochi. Patrick previously hosted NBC’s daytime coverage at the 2012 London Olympics and served as a reporter in Vancouver in 2010. Patrick hosts The Dan Patrick Show, a daily, nationally-syndicated radio program which is simulcast as a television program on NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for digital, mobile and tablets. For a complete Dan Patrick bio, click here.
REBECCA LOWE: Lowe will make her Olympic debut as host of NBCSN’s extensive live weekday and weekend coverage. Lowe joined NBC Sports Group in 2013 as host of its exclusive Premier League coverage in the U.S., including Premier League Live, NBC Sports Group’s live pre- and post-match shows from NBC Sports Group’s International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn. For a complete Rebecca Lowe bio, click here.
LESTER HOLT: An award-winning broadcast journalist who joined NBC News in 2000, Holt will host NBC’s weekday afternoon Olympic coverage. The anchor of Dateline, weekend anchor of NBC Nightly News and co-anchor of NBC’s weekend edition of TODAY, Holt previously served as a sports desk reporter for the 2012 London, 2010 Vancouver, 2008 Beijing and 2006 Torino Games. He made his Olympic television debut as host of MSNBC’s daytime coverage during the 2004 Athens Games. For a complete Lester Holt bio, click here.