New York Times - Olbermann Leaves ‘Countdown’ on MSNBC

[obxhead]

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/21/olbermann-hosts-last-countdown-on-msnbc/

9:24 p.m. | Updated Keith Olbermann, the highest-rated host on MSNBC, announced abruptly on the air Friday night that he is leaving “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” immediately.

The host, who has had a stormy relationship with the management of the network for some time, especially since he was suspended for two days last November, came to an agreement with NBC’s corporate management late this week to settle his contract and step down.

snip

MSNBC announced that “The Last Word” with Lawrence O’Donnell would replace “Countdown” at 8 p.m., with “The Ed Show” with Ed Schultz taking Mr. O’Donnell’s slot at 10 p.m. Mr. Olbermann did not discuss any future plans, but NBC executives said one term of his settlement will keep him from moving to another network for an extended period of time.

snip

Mr. Olbermann had signed a four-year contract extension in 2008 for an estimated $30 million. He hosted “Countdown” at 8 p.m. since 2003 and it became the foundation of the channel’s surge to status as the second-ranked news channel on cable television, after Fox News, surpassing the one-time leader CNN.

[grasswire]

1. nooooooooooo

They're going to Shuster him.

"one term of his settlement will keep him from moving to another network for an extended period of time."

[bdamomma]

3. oh this just sucks would PBS take him?

[jillan]

12. He can't do any tv because of his contract.

[bdamomma]

21. they are screwing him big time, but they are paying him severance

pay aren't they? the whole thing stinks, but I hope when Keith returns it will be big time.

[bdamomma]

2. where is Rachel in all of this???

this is horrible.

[obxhead]

4. Her time slot is unchanged as far as I can tell.

I imagine I should attach a *for now* to that statement.

[jillan]

5. She better not be next :(

[socialist_n_TN]

10. She probably won't be next...............

Well maybe not. I expect Ed to be the next to go.

[Graybeard]

9. Well, tonight she's on Bill Maher.

If you have HBO, Rachel will be on with Maher tonight and that is a Live show. But she will probably just say she doesn't have enough details.

[frogmarch]

6. Fuck MSNBC!

I'm done with them.

[AnnieBW]

7. Okay, now I'm definitely switching to FIOS

Comcast has been in charge for all of two days, and Keith is toast. And here I thought that Comcast was the LESSER of two evils.

[Renew Deal]

8. The Ed show is a better fit at 10PM.

His show isn't really a 6PM show. I think Larry will do well at 8PM. He's similar to Olberman, but more polished.

[obxhead]

11. I agree about Ed at 10pm.

It will be much easier to catch his show. To be honest his show has become my favorite on the network. I stopped watching KO a while back. At the time I found that over half of his show was dedicated to talking about Palin, Beck, and Limbaugh. I gave up on KO at that point.

[otohara]

13. NBC Lies - re: Merger Had Nothing To Do With It

bullshit - this was the perfect time to "end the relationship"

[obxhead]

14. That would be a statement made in speculation.

Maybe KO decided he would refuse to work under Comcast.

The only fact we have is that we don't have any facts yet.

[otohara]

15. Jobs in News Broadcasting Are Few

He may not have wanted to work for Comcast, but where would you suggest he goes while he's waiting for a year or longer?

No, you just don't walk away from millions when you have the highest rated show.

Making a statement by silencing yourself for a year or two = dumb move.

Besides Anderson Cooper said he was fired.

Network jobs are scarce - someone has to get fired to make room for the new guy.

[obxhead]

16. Personally I'm going to wait to hear from KO on the matter.

AC has the same facts that everyone else has. I also watched his show and heard him say several times they still don't know if he was fired or left himself.

[otohara]

17. He Can't Talk About It

I sued Clear Channel and I was told I could never discuss the outcome, or they would sue me.

You're being naive.

[obxhead]

18. You are still claiming things as fact having nothing to back them up.

You were not there. You do not know the full details of the termination of the contract. AC is much closer to people that know the details of what happened and he did not even know.

Thanks, but again I'll wait for the facts, not the endless speculation. :hi:

[otohara]

19. So AC is Lying?

it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out the obvious.

And those rumors that float around, usually turn out to be true.
Rumor was, Comcast would can Olbermann, and poof...

[coolhip33]

20. Keith said....

Comcast TOLD HIM this would be his last show..... *sigh*

[NYCGirl]

22. No, management told him. Comcast hasn't taken over yet. NT

[ClassWarrior]

23. Dang. "One term of his settlement will keep him from moving to another network..."

"...for an extended period of time."

Well, maybe a radio show? That'd be sweet.

NGU.