If you've kept a sharp eye on ESPN's international soccer coverage over the past few years, then you've probably seen Rebecca Lowe on its Women's World Cup and UEFA Euro Cup studio programming. If you've lived in the UK over the past several years, then you've seen a lot of her.
American fans of the English Premier League should get used to seeing a lot more of Lowe as she's been hired by NBC to lead their studio coverage starting next year. This is a very good move. Rebecca is a very good presenter (the term used in the UK for host) and has good knowledge of the beautiful game.
She's previously worked at the BBC, mostly on soccer and on its venerable Match of the Day recap shows, Setanta Sports and then for ESPN UK when it took over Setanta's contract for the EPL. She became the first female host of FA Cup matches in the UK and has had a high profile in England. According to the Daily Mail in London, Lowe was in high demand as NBC, ESPN and a UK network were all interested in obtaining her services.
Now she'll be taking her talents to the United States to host the English Premier League broadcasts for NBC Sports Network from their studio in Stamford, CT. As she states in the NBC announcement:
“Joining NBC to present the Premier League is an enormous privilege. Not only do I get to combine my love of football and of TV presenting, but I'm getting the chance to do that in a new country, which poses a real challenge. I'm impatient for the summer to come, and inspired by NBC's outlook on putting live football on the telly… as we say in England.”
Viewers will see a host who is engaging, a talented personality and extremely knowledgable about the English Premier League. Her contract with NBC Sports Group will last until 2015, the length of the network's rights with the EPL.
