Olbermann's Win A Surprise Even Inside MSNBC

[RamboLiberal]

Phil Griffin knew it would happen, he just didn't think it would happen this quickly. On Friday night, MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann was the top-rated cable news show in the 25-54 demo. That means Olbermann beat his cable rival, FNC's The O'Reilly Factor and its host Bill O'Reilly. That's a first.
"The real insight I had was over the summer," said Griffin, the NBC News senior VP who manages the Today show as well as MSNBC. Griffin tells TVNewser, Olbermann "maintained his core audience, so when the mass viewers came back after Labor Day...it's just surprising it happened so quickly."

O'Reilly and all the FNC primetime programs still dominate the total viewer numbers. So why is the demo win such a big deal? "It's everything, the demo is everything. It's where we make our money," said Griffin.

This is going to be a busy autumn for MSNBC. In a few weeks, the cable net's employees will move out of their New Jersey offices and move in with their broadcast counterparts in New York City. And the Olbermann bump helps. "For years MSNBC struggled to find someone to be the tent pole and lead the way," Griffin says. "In 11+ years, I don't think there has been a better moment."

Griffin should know, he helped start MSNBC and watched as FNC shot past CNN to #1 where it remains today. And he says Bill O'Reilly rightly gets a lot of the credit. "O'Reilly did it for Fox in 1999, and helped take it to where it is today." But, he adds, "It's clear now, it's a two-person race."

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/

[LSK]

1. K&R

:D

[graywarrior]

2. Don't you feel like we all had a hand in this?

[madokie]

10. we did

[Cha]

18. You all did and I'm so

proud of all you DUs!

[ronnykmarshall]

97. We all did!

I record it every day. It's watch we watch during dinner.

[hisownpetard]

105. Absolutely, we did - and it was a pleasure! Keith is a true treasure.

[alphafemale]

3. Great! K & R

[laruemtt]

4. i hope they're planning to get their weekend act

together. the wall-to-wall canned inside prisons series is pathetic. if they want to be competitive, they need to be engaged on the weekends.

[holboz]

89. Absolutely

Hey, here's an idea...hey MSNBC, how about a NEWS show instead of the prison crap?

[NewJeffCT]

5. slowly but surely

KO is gaining on O'Reilly in the overall ratings, too.

And, as Bill-O's audience dies off and KO keeps building, I'm hoping we'll be seeing articles in about a year on how KO is beating O'Really in a few demographics and is on the verge of passing him overall.

[DS1]

6. he said tent pole

[bear425]

12. ha. KO's a tent pole! lol .n/t

[Kolesar]

15. Behave.

[Beetwasher]

38. LOL!

You goofball! :rofl:

[mod mom]

7. MSNBC takes a big hit after countdown, so why not try something new-David Shuster

I think they could keep the Countdown audience by offering Shuster with an investigative show utilizing folks from the blogosphere.

[madokie]

11. that would be good

Shuster has lots of potential. Not one time have I disagreed or questioned him yet. he talks in facts, I like that in a person

[loudsue]

84. And Rachel Maddow!! Man! We'd knock the socks off EVERYONE!!

That's the ticket!

:kick:

[PatSeg]

26. I agree

I watch Hardball mostly to see his segments. He deserves more attention.

[RamboLiberal]

35. If I was MSNBC I'd be dangling a big contract in front

of Jack Cafferty luring him away from CNN - he'd be perfect after Countdown.

[cyberpj]

37. Been saying that for many monthsl Shuster is the real deal and would be tuned IN. nt

[renate]

60. count me in as a Shuster fan

He's really cute... so sweet and earnest looking, and then he goes and tells the truth--oh be still my heart.

:loveya:

[cyberpj]

94. Ah, but then we'd have to give the KOEB group -esp crispini and Patsy Stone - some competition:

and that might be tough, they're a hard core bunch God bless 'em! :toast:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=315

[yodermon]

48. The David Shuster / Marcy Wheeler Hour!

schwing.

[tridim]

79. Shuster, or maybe give Phil Donahue a new show?

Is he still around?

[The_Casual_Observer]

8. Other than Keith it's all inmates all the time.

So I'm glad there's Tivo!

[Supersedeas]

96. Perve or celebrity of the day -- pathetic pathetic coverage of Iraq

[wicket]

9. Let's here it for the KOEB!!!!

:D

[grytpype]

13. The average age of O'Reilly's audience is 74.

So he might beat Keith in total audience, but more then half his audience is outside the 25-54 demo.

[tnlefty]

56. And what are most of the people in the 25-54 demographic

doing while KO is on? Either working or putting food on the family, or over seeing homework! Which is I can't always watch him, but I'm always grateful for clips!

[drbtg1]

91. YOU can still help!

Ratings now include viewers who watch live AND same-day DVR viewing.

I have three kids myself, but the DVR knows I gotta watch Olbermann. My kids know it too (and will sometimes watch when they're trying to stay up past bedtime).

("Food on the family", eh? Seems that I've heard that before.)

[Maraya1969]

95. I agree with drt TIVO, (or DVR) is the best thing since sliced bread.

You can rewind live television, play it in slow mode, go frame by frame, and save many many hours of whatever you want.

Now when I listen to the radio in the car and I miss something I start to grab the remote to rewind the radio. At some point I'm sure we will be able to do that too.

[trudyco]

98. Ha! Me too! -nt

[Bitwit1234]

14. And you know what

just think of the ratings other shows that tell the public what's going on in this country would do. But it's not going to happen because the republicans own the airways and they won't let democrats on.

[OwnedByFerrets]

16. The most amazing thing is that it was done without

surrounding shows to help. IF there were helpful before and after slots, they could own the evening on cable news.

[Cha]

17. Yeah, bo helped take

it where it is today, alright..right in the gutter with the rest of the mediawhores.

This is so encouraging, almost surreal, after all these years!

[jollyreaper2112]

19. I like olbermann but he's on a crappy network

Countdown is the only show on their lineup worth watching. All of their other talking heads are worthless sycophants. Bowtie, Tweety, Intern-Killer, you could tie them in a sack and throw them in the river and the only thing people would notice is a clearing of the air. And when you don't have Olbermann or those worthless fleshbags previously mentioned, you have the true crime murderdocs. I'm sorry, don't we already have CourtTV for that? If it makes money, fine, just take the "nooz" out of your channel's name, it's embarrassing -- and for today's media, that's saying something.

MSNBC, you want to improve something? Walk nice Mr. Olbermann out of the building, fumigate the place, bring him back in and surround him with journalists who share his passion. That will put you back on the map. Barring that, just leave him on the air and jerk around with the murder porn shows and quit pretending to be a news network.

[go west young man]

72. And what's the deal with their repetitive crap prison shows?

Does anybody watch that shit? I immediately turn the channel. Who wants to look at a prison night after night? It baffles me how they could play that stuff.

[Doctor Panacea]

87. Agree

I agree. What is with the damn prison shows?

Advice:

Olbermann as the 'tentpole'.

Shitcan the creepy Tucker Carlson.

Keep Tweetie, even though I think he is an idiot.

Get Rachel Maddow.

[connecticut yankee]

75. If he's so highly rated,

maybe they'll move him to the regular NBC.

[Arugula Latte]

81. I like your style!!

worthless fleshbags :rofl:


:toast:

[beberocks]

20. Maybe this will end MSNBC's quest to become another FOX

I'm a dedicated Countdown watcher on MSNBC, but rarely watch anything else on that station. Tucker is the worst, but the rest of the programming also panders to the right-wing. I'd love to see a good, progressive talk show host one of their shows, like Racheal Maddow for example. They had a good host in Phil Donahue, but since he was exposing the lies in the lead up to the Iraq war, they got rid of him.

[Stinky The Clown]

21. I hope some MSNBC honcho is reading this ......

...... cuz they can go even further even faster.

Give us honest news. Not spin. News. Facts. Keep in mind that not all stories have two sides.

You guys have a gold mine in KO. He's the prototype for the network news, Not just cable. Facts and news, with some fluff and humor to keep the smaller brains engaged.

Faux made a brazillion bucks for Rupert. You guys can do the same by being the antifox. We fact starved liberals will stay with you all the way if you're simply ****honest****.

A send Noron back on maternity leave. I see she's back today.

[loudsue]

86. And I'm tired of the nooz where everyone shouts & talks-over everyone else.

That shit drives me up the wall. Keith has ONE PERSON AT A TIME on to discuss FACTS, and no argumentative IDIOTS that sling shit instead of dialog.

On any and every show I watch, the minute everyone starts talking at once, I automatically hit the "mute" button, and then change the channel. Two things that are, to my ears, like chalk screeching on a blackboard: (1) interruptive, immature & ignorant shouting matches, and (2) the voice of george bush.

:kick:

[Warren DeMontague]

22. Gee, whiz, I guess that means the Cable Newz Networks better stock up on more conservative asshats.

Obviously, that's where the audience is. :eyes: :sarcasm:

[DURHAM D]

23. I honestly can't believe how stupid MSNBC has been -

For years they chased after and competed with CNN and Fox for the same small number of right wing viewers. How stupid can you be - they didn't realize that 2/3s of the viewing population was not being served.

Griffin talking about how shocked he is just shows how stupid he is.

As they continue to keep Tweety and Tucker on the air it proves they still think KO is an aberration. He shouldn't have his job.

[Chulanowa]

24. My mother used to watch O'Reilly...

She's a popular socialist by politics, but she enjoyed getting that dude's fat head on screen and arguing back at the set. For her it was entertainment.

And then I sent her clips from Countdown. She hasn't had O'Reilly playing since.

[book_worm]

25. "for years MSNBC struggled to find someone..." and it's not Tweety!!

[SoCalDem]

27. The ignorance of the MSNBC management astounds me.

They are "surprised"..huh??

MSNBC has ONE show (Keith's) that is different from all the others..it's a success..a big one....and they are SURPRISED??? that people would find that show, and watch it??>

amazing

[Felinity]

68. Great bumper sticker

Have you sent it to the RNC? They'd probably like it!

[sonias]

28. Congratulations to Keith Olbermann

And his obviously smart viewers in that 25-54 demo!

:applause:

Sonia

[sallyseven]

73. Hey I am 72 and I love KO.

I make sure that I try the products that are advertised on his show. I am a true liberal and proud of it.

[90-percent]

29. About Keith last night

One amazing thing about Keith is that he's very, very bright and very, very quick.

Well, that's two things, actually.

A couple of times whilst questioning guests, he managed to both summarize and lead the guest to the foremost question that would clarifiy the interviewee's point succinctly and air tight.

It was awesome to watch such a master at his craft!

-85% jimmy

[TheUniverse]

30. With people like Tucker, Tweety, Buchanan, and scarborough on all day, MSNBC will never be number 1.

But Keith Olbermann will be number one. Take a hint MSNBC, give the people what they want.

[spinbaby]

40. I wish they'd get Thom Hartmann

He'd be great.

[tom_paine]

31. K & R for KO!

:toast:

[Hosnon]

32. Watch O'Reilly over Olbermann? String me up by my toenails before you make me do that, please.

And, yes, I'm in that demographic.

[donkeyotay]

33. Last week KO said his ratings were even higher in the 1st half hour

You know, the part where he does the stuff we watch him for. I wish they could smarten up the second half - not that they have to go straight, but just not so moronic.

[cyberpj]

36. Agreed. I mostly watch the first half hour only. KO strength is NOT the overdone Etainment news !

It's the outspoken TRUTH he offers on the real news and issues. If the network gives viewers more intelligent people and fewer political ass-kissers then eliminates the hours and hours of prison shows they could build a real news audience.

[in_cog_ni_to]

34. Sweet! No one is more deserving than our KO!

:loveya:

[lonestarnot]

39. Woot Keithie!

Missed you tonight. Staying up for the rerun. I had to go vote!

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

41. Holy Shit CONGRATS KEITH!!!!!

:toast: :party:

[question everything]

42. I am curious of whether Countdown also beats

insufferable, shouting, yelling, Chris Matthews.

[Garbo 2004]

57. Yes, Countdown's ratings beat Hardball. n/t

[RamboLiberal]

61. Keith is nearly double many nights over Hardball and Abrams

shows. Shows viewers are tuning in just for Hardball.

[Cameron27]

43. I'm so glad MSNBC finally realizes what they've got in KO

now, they've got to do something about Tucker. I've never made it passed 15 minutes before turning it off and now I don't go near MSNBC until Hardball.

[BlooInBloo]

44. Makes you wonder why cable tv still funds Tucker, Beck, and the rest of the ratings losers.

[bbgrunt]

45. let's hope that the corporate desire for profits can overshadow their need to control

the message!

[Vidar]

46. K&R.

[Roxy66]

47. Go Keith!!!!

[spag68]

49. Didn't they have another winning show?

I can't remember, it was Dougherty or Donald, or was it Donahue, something like that. how about bringing that show back NBC!

[happygoluckytoyou]

50. OREILLY REPLIES HERE----->

OH YEAH!!! WELL....WELL....WELL....WELL.... WHERE ARE MY DRUGS.... I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS STANDING UP!!!!!

[defendandprotect]

54. Average age of O'Reilly audience is 75 !!!!!

[mark11727]

66. You mean the "hey you kids get off my lawn" demographic?

[FloridaJudy]

101. CUT HIS MIKE! n/t

[eShirl]

51. Good. Now replace Tucker with Phil Donahue

[defendandprotect]

53. Phil Donahue was their #1 show -- and they cancelled it -- and . . ..

Donahue remains extremely popular anytime they let him back on --
Phil said they were demanding that if they had one liberal on, he'd have to have two consdervatives and then even more. And, he had to count himself as two liberals!!!!

So, still think that profits count---???

[defendandprotect]

52. MSNBC being kind to liberals . . . sorry, but I remain suspicious --

Yeah, GE/MSNBC let KO off the lead -- Why?

Or are we suggesting that KO is such a powerful liberal force that he convinced MSNBC?

Anyone else think this odd?

[Lilith Velkor]

59. Not really

They want to sell commercial time by appealing to the increasing number of people who are sick of Bush.

[defendandprotect]

76. If they wanted to make money, they would return to liberal programming -- Donahue !!!

What I'm saying to you is that since the networks have turned RIGHT . . . they have lost much of their viewers -- all viewership is down EXTREMELY. That includes, CNN and NBC and others.

Again -- Phil Donahue was their #1 show -- they cancelled it.
Think about that a bit --


CNN is down tens of millions of viewers -- !!!!

[Lilith Velkor]

83. Donahue is definitely due for a Moyers-style comeback

A lot of liberals simply gave up TV altogether (like I did.) In order to tap that audience, ya gotta give 'em what they want.

[defendandprotect]

103. Moyers is another of those figures I don't get . . . .

even when he covers the subjects he puts everyone to sleep -- zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Moyers is a Texan with a long term relationship with LBJ --
According to Pierre Salinger who also served in the LBJ White House, at least he and Moyers recognized that LBJ was "clinically psychotic."
Moyers did nothing at the time to alert the public --
nor has he discussed this, as far as I know.

LBJ kept the war in VN going much as Bush is doing with Iraq to enrich his cronies -- Brown & Root, etal.

LBJ was also one of the primary movers of the coup on JFK --
and neither do I doubt that Moyers would have been able to escape knowing that, sooner or later.

My sister refused to have a TV in her home -- she didn't have any children.
At this point I'm sorry I didn't do what she did --

There's very little of it that isn't harmful and that's true going back decades with it worsening every year.

CNN at the time of Turner had something like 13 million viewers, internationally.
If I recall correctly, they're down to something like 3 million last I heard.

[Blue Belle]

55. Now if MSNBC would bring back Donahue....

as part of their line-up, I'd be a very happy girl. :)

[napi21]

58. I was just going to post the same thing! When is it going to dawn on

MSNBC that there's a GREAT unserved audience out here that is the total opposite of FNC viewers? Keith is a success, not only because he is a good interviewer and reporter, but because he says the things many, many of us have been saying for a long time and the MSM has been totally ignoring!

I wonder if anyone has gotten their a&& kicked or at the very least regrets firing Donahue????

[defendandprotect]

77. Folks, THEY KNOW . . . . however, they need rightwing programming to block liberal programming!!!

The right-wing -- and that's corproate-media -- cannot afford to have very much liberal/progressive info getting thru because it will knock down their structure.

It's NOT about profits -- it's about keeping the hold on government which permits them to steal!!!!

Try thinking that over --

All their right-wing programming is in failure -- viewers have left in droves.

[RamboLiberal]

62. Short-lived - Billo beat Keith Monday

Be interesting to see how the week plays out. Billo might be a temporary thing with the koolaid drinkers tuning in to hear him on Petraeus and 9-11.

Monday Billo had 510 to Keith's 388.

BTW Hardball had 232 and Abrams 243.

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/

[Enthusiast]

63. We love Keith.

We watch Keith every night. But, I do feel there is a mistake in promoting Keith on the football program. It's overexposure and counterproductive.

[drbtg1]

93. I respectfully disagree

Even Mr. Olbermann gave some credit to Dan Patrick and the one hour they used to share on the ESPN Radio show every weekday for his rise in Countdown's ratings. Now he'll be seen on what will be one of the top four television programs every week this fall, coupled with the "Worst Person in the NFL" device which naturally connects to one of Countdown's most popular segments. Plus, he's a great sportscaster and knows what he's doing better than nearly anyone else, unlike the miserable experiments of Miller and OxyRush. I'm sorry but this is a win-win.

This past week, the format seems to be working out the kinks, developing chemistry with Costas. The only question will be which Chris (Cris) will make a worse dumbass comment to Mr. Olbemrann, Matthews or Collingsworth.

[krkaufman]

64. I'll be impressed with Griffin only when he dumps one or more of ...

... Matthews, Carlson and/or Scarborough, and replaces them with actual journalists -- or maybe even some Faux News-countering leftists.

[B Calm]

65. Great News! Now if Olbermann would invite people like Malloy and Rhodes

on his show, his ratings could even go higher!

[dsharp88]

67. He has Rachel Maddow and Sam Seder on

from AirAmerica.

[Maggie_May]

69. We need to keep his numbers up!

Go KO

[defendandprotect]

78. When you watch KO, be sure to tune out when he takes the "Britney" tours . . .

[Seabiscuit]

70. So KO's building his tent while O'Lielly can't find his tent pole.

:)

[Arugula Latte]

82. He can use a falafel for a tent pole. nt

[go west young man]

71. Right on Keith!

Agreed that David Shuster should get his own show. Toss Tucker and bring in Shuster. Are you listening Dan Abrams? Toss that dweeb.

[peace13]

74. Congrats KO!!!

You deserve a huge round of applause...and there you have it. Peace, Kim

[AzDar]

80. The People want the Truth!!

Go KO!! :woohoo:

[MasonJar]

85. Great news for the people who care about integrity in journalism!

Congrats, Keith! You earned every viewer by holding the cabal's feet to the fire.

[Felix Mala]

88. Give Kieth Two Hours...

but man, you gotta do something about that football spot...

[SharonRB]

90. Yay, KO!

:woohoo:

We definitely had a part in this.

[meowomon]

92. Not Only is Keith Brilliant on the Show

He's man-candy for many women viewers.(and some men as well) You'd never hear THAT about Bill O'Lieley

[GoddessOfGuinness]

99. I'm happy for KO; but nonplussed by the fact that in 5 years, nobody will give a damn what I watch.

So 55+ is chopped liver?

[RoccoR5955]

100. At least you have five years.

I only have three.
Congrats to KO on this milestone. It's been coming. But Faux Noise has to keep O'Lieley. Otherwise where will KO get his funny material from, besides "comedian, Rush Limbaugh?"

[FloridaJudy]

102. And no has cared what I watch for 5 years

Is that why I don't have a TV? Thank goodness I can get Olbermann on the Internets.

You go, K.O.!

[Murdock]

104. Quick Question about Countdown..

Have any of the GOP Presidential hopefuls been interviewed by K.O.?

I'm really curious about this.. I don't regularly watch, but I'd be interested if any of them have been willing to go on K.O.'s show?

[hisownpetard]

106. I wrote to MSNBC today, suggesting that at times like these (e.g. with the hearings

and so much going on politically that's of importance), why don't they consider
extending Keith's show to two hours so that he can cover the important issues
in depth. I don't know how Dan Abrams would feel about it, but I think most
DUers (and many other viewers) would love it.

Opinions, anyone?