At New Network, Olbermann Sets Sights on MSNBC: New York Times

[Stuart G]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/20/business/media/20pundit.html?_r=1&hp


By BRIAN STELTER

Published: June 19, 2011
3:27 pm Eastern


Starting on Monday, there will be new competition for progressive attention spans on television.

Challenging MSNBC, which has a stable lineup of left-leaning hosts, will be Current TV, where Keith Olbermann will start anchoring the 8 p.m. hour, his former time slot on MSNBC. Rather audaciously, Mr. Olbermann will try to draw viewers away from MSNBC and to his new home, where he wants to add more hours of like-minded hosts.

Already, Mr. Olbermann seems to have succeeded in one respect: in creating a robust marketplace for liberal television talent. Since he left in January, MSNBC has signed prominent contributors like Eugene Robinson, the Washington Post columnist, to new long-term contracts, in some cases staving off Current’s attempts to poach them. MSNBC has also tried out new hosts, like Cenk Uygur, an Internet talk show host who has become the channel’s 6 p.m. anchor. The channel’s total ratings are holding steady so far this year.

Mr. Olbermann, meanwhile, has persuaded some boldface names to appear on Current, where he is recreating his MSNBC show, “Countdown.” His huge challenge will be persuading viewers to come too, given that the channel is generally only watched only by tens of thousands of viewers at any given time and is high on the channel lineup in most markets. He anticipates that the early viewership totals will be low; he said on a conference call with reporters Friday, “We’re in this for the long haul.”

[tishaLA]

1. Interesting that MSNBC is developing a show for Chris hayes

according to that article. I'd like that, but who knows where they'd put it? remove one of Tweety's reruns? And really I think I'd prefer they develop a show for Melissa Harris-Perry, who is IMO better on TV and distills knowledge about feminist and racial issues with an uncommon amount of savvy, but it's hard to be a full time professor and a television host and a regular contributor to The Nation, too.

[eilen]

2. So long as Current features programming that does not

consist of prison shows on the weekend...ie, produce news shows 7 days a week, they should easily beat out MSNBC.

[CTyankee]

3. I agree 100% about Harris Perry. More and more of her!

I love Chris Hayes but we need some women here!

[eleny]

4. I'm glad to learn that Matt Taibbi is associated with Current

Chris Hayes doesn't cut the mustard in my book. He's hard working and an intellect. But he keeps reminding me of the nervous coffee seller in the Postal Service commercials - "Do you think decaf would help?". So I'm looking forward to a regular dose of Taibbi's thoughts.

A big !YAY! for the lineup overall. Old trusted favorites along with new ones.

[Enthusiast]

5. I have an idea!

The GOPers/Wingnuts are always saying it's a 'liberal media'. Let's make it one!

[lucca18]

6. Wonderful! Countdown starts tonight!

I am so looking forward to tonight's show! You go Keith! I so hope more and more people become aware of your show. The best to you!

[Uncle Joe]

7. This sounds like such an illegal term from the corporate media Times.

Already, Mr. Olbermann seems to have succeeded in one respect: in creating a robust marketplace for liberal television talent. Since he left in January, MSNBC has signed prominent contributors like Eugene Robinson, the Washington Post columnist, to new long-term contracts, in some cases staving off Current’s attempts to poach them.

Thanks for the thread, Stuart G.