January 5, 2012

The Hollywood Reporter | The New York Times | The Wrap
A lawyer for Keith Olbermann tells The Hollywood Reporter the anchor is in talks with Current about “his role with the network.” Olbermann’s “Countdown” aired on Wednesday, just one day after Iowa Caucus coverage revealed tension between the former MSNBC anchor and his current employer. Olbermann says he “was not given a legitimate opportunity to host” Caucus coverage “under acceptable conditions,” while Current president David Bohrman says he was. Olbermann’s title is chief news officer, but it’s unclear how much authority he has over coverage. The New York Times reports Michael Price, Olbermann’s manager, “expected that Mr. Olbermann would stay at Current,” but “said he was unable to answer other questions because of confidentiality clauses in the anchorman’s contract, which is believed to last five years and be worth $50 million total.” One unnamed Current exec told The Wrap, “I hope Keith is part of our future, but it’s up to Keith … everybody is replaceable.” “Countdown” is Current’s most popular program, but its viewership is, at best, about 20 percent of the audience it commanded on MSNBC, whose 8 p.m. ratings have fallen since Olbermann’s exit a year ago.

Support high-integrity, independent journalism that serves democracy. Make a gift to Poynter today. The Poynter Institute is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, and your gift helps us make good journalism better.
Donate
Julie Moos (jmoos@poynter.org) has been Director of Poynter Online and Poynter Publications since 2009. Previously, she was Editor of Poynter Online (2007-2009) and Poynter Publications…
Julie Moos

More News

Back to News

Comments

Comments are closed.