Don Nash Named Executive Producer of 'Today' Show

A familiar face has gotten a promotion at NBC's Today.

our editor recommends

NBC's 'Today Show' Features THR's Year-End Rule Breakers Issue (Video)

Jim Bell Named Executive Producer of NBC Olympics Coverage

Don Nash, who has worked on the show for the past 23 years, has been named executive producer of the formerly top-ranked morning program. He replaces Jim Bell, who left the show Monday after seven years as EP to oversee NBC Sports' Olympics coverage full time. Nash takes over Dec. 1, reporting to Alexandra Wallace, another NBC News vet who was tapped Wednesday as executive in charge of Today.

Wallace, who had been tipped as Bell's successor, will have executive oversight of the show and continue to report to NBC News president Steve Capus.

PHOTOS: THR's 35 Most Powerful People in Media

"Don Nash deserves to be at the helm of Today," Capus said in a statement. "He is a beloved member of the Today family who brings vision, commitment and a deep familiarity to all aspects of the broadcast. The formidable individual talents of Alex, Don and the Today leadership are now combined, and I’m confident our team is well positioned for success."

Bell left the show after a troubled summer in which Ann Curry was removed from the anchor's chair after just one year and replaced by Savannah Guthrie, a move that rubbed many viewers the wrong way. Bell was an advocate of the switch. Today had its 16-plus-year streak of being No. 1 in the ratings broken earlier in the year, and ABC's Good Morning America is now the consistent top-rated program in morning television.

Nash had been Today's senior broadcast producer since 2005, orchestrating the show from the control room. Before that, served as executive producer of Weekend Today for three years. He began his NBC career in 1989 as a page in Burbank and joined Today soon after.

Along with her Today duties, Wallace will continue as executive producer of Rock Center With Brian Williams, a job she started in October.