Keith Olbermann Signs New 4-Year Deal

MSNBC sent out a press released heralding four more years of Keith Olbermann on MSNBC:

It reads:
NEW YORK - Nov. 10, 2008 - MSNBC has voted for four more years of Keith Olbermann and the top-rated "Countdown with Keith Olbermann," it was announced today by Phil Griffin, President, MSNBC. The new four-year agreement calls for Olbermann to continue as host of "Countdown;" additionally, Olbermann will play a prominent role in MSNBC's coverage of all major news events. He will also continue to co-host NBC's "Football Night in America" studio show.

"Keith Olbermann is at the core of MSNBC's current success," said Griffin. "'Countdown' is our signature program and I'm thrilled that we're going to be able to bring it to Keith's loyal viewers for another four year term."

"I'm delighted that we can continue to lock Countdown into the nation's political dialogue through at least the next election," said Olbermann. "Personally, I noticed that as of about six weeks ago, I'd been doing this show longer than I did SportsCenter, so it's delightful to have a true home."

In October 2008, "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" had its best month ever in the key Adults 25-54 demographic, and is up a tremendous 170 percent in A25-54 from Oct. 2007 and up 180 percent in total viewers. "Countdown" continued its dominance over CNN at 8 p.m., out-rating "Campbell Brown" by 35 percent in A25-54 and 41 percent in total viewers. Excluding coverage of the presidential debates, "Countdown" is the #3 top-rated show in cable news in A25-54. "Countdown" is also the #1 cable news show among young viewers, Adults 18-34.

Since the last presidential election in 2004, "Countdown" has seen dramatic ratings increases, up a huge 238 percent among Adults 25-54 and 206 percent in total viewers.

Olbermann, who was named one of the Top Ten Most Powerful People in TV News for 2007 and 2008 by Television Week, began his NBC career in 1997, when he was anchor for NBC Sports, hosting the World Series and Major League Baseball's All-Star Game, and contributing to pre-game coverage of the Super Bowl. During that time he was also host of two primetime news programs on MSNBC, "The Big Show" and "White House In Crisis." Olbermann returned to MSNBC in 2003 as a substitute host on "Nachman" and an anchor for MSNBC's coverage of the war in Iraq before launching "Countdown" in April of 2003. Previously, Olbermann provided twice-daily commentary, "Speaking of Sports" and "Speaking of Everything" for ABC Radio Network. Prior to that, he was a regular contributor covering news and sports on CNN.

Olbermann is well known for anchoring ESPN's "SportsCenter" from 1992 to 1997, when his inimitable style made the blend of pop culture and sports a hallmark of the modern television sports reporter. While at ESPN, Olbermann helped launch ESPN2 and ESPN Radio network and wrote the critically acclaimed book "The Big Show" with Dan Patrick about his experiences working on "SportsCenter."

He is the recipient of numerous distinguished awards in radio and television broadcasting, including the 1995 Cable Ace Award for Best Sportscaster and 11 Golden Mike Awards for excellence in television and radio. Olbermann also received two Edward R. Murrow Awards, one for his coverage of the events of 9/11 and another for the anniversary coverage of 9/11.

In addition to his extensive broadcasting experience, Olbermann has written for dozens of publications, including The New York Times, USA Today, Newsweek, Time, Sports Illustrated and Playboy. His first book, "The Major League Coaches," was published when he was 14. His latest book, "Truth & Consequences," a collection of his "Special Comments" from "Countdown," is a New York Times best-seller. He also published "The Worst Person in the World," based on the popular segment within "Countdown."

Phil Griffin is President, MSNBC. Izzy Povich is the Executive Producer, "Countdown with Keith Olbermann."

Comments

[oregonindy]

I watch Keith all the time. I am 63, female, white and voted for Obama. Go Keith!!

[FreeExpression]

Thank you for stating your age. My husband and I are both 63 years old and are huge fans of Keith.

I'm so tired of them quoting the " key Adults 25-54 demographic", what about the ones of us who fall into the over 54 years of age bracket and are loyal viewers of Keith and Rachel Maddow.

I'm so glad that Keith will be on the air for at least another 4 years to keep us informed and to keep cutting through so many lies and exposing the truth.

[jenkoplitz]

That demographic age range thing has everything to do with advertising.
Adults 25-54 are the sector of the population that supposedly have the most money to spend and are likely to be influenced by ads/commercials.
The higher the ratings for this age range, the more appeal to advertisers, more money to the network, all in the end equaling insurance for the show to remain on the air.

Regardless, I understand your sentiment. My mom is 68--and is the reason I discovered Keithie, and I am in the age range of the coveted viewers.

[deeppeace]

Yay!

[confusedintexas]

I think that this is fantastic. I love K.O.

[johnqdemocrat]

Bill-O the clown is gonna have a caniption!

[boogieoogie]

I am glad Olbermann will be on for 4 more years. I don't always agree with everything he says, but he is a nice balance to alot of free floating crap out there.

[ProfessorDuh]

Bravo. I'll be watching.

[Girlforaction]

I love Keith, but he needs to stop with the Special Comments all the time. They are not special if they are made everyday.

[KJulier]

Oh, I think that it will take years for the last remnants of Bush scandals to be cleared up. I foresee many "Bushed" segments.

I am so glad KO will be around for four more years!

[frappe]

I think you may be referring to his "Campaign Comments". Those are not supposed to equate with his Special Comments which, as you suggest, would not be special any more if he did them too often. But Bush and Cheney and Rove and the Republicans gave him a lot of material to work with. That's for sure.

[SoCalGal44]

He said there was so much going on he had to do them every day, but he promised to scale them back after the election.

[ladyrefined2000]

and he looks like he is having some kind of fit.......­LOLLOLLOL

[JackND]

Countdown under an Obama administration is likely to be less angry.

What will replace "Bushed"?

[boogieoogie]

"Rushed"

[boogieoogie]

"Billed"

[repugnicansfearme]

There are enough of these to continue for four more years, then the second term of Obama after that. Question: do you think this will help Biden run for president in eight years?

[Foucek]

Limbaughed !!!

[ZimboChick]

bill o r a l l y

[zepfan81]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO! WHY? Last thing we need is a left-wing Limbaugh! Go back to Sportscenter!

[Changeling]

He could only end up a LWL if he started just making stuff up, which is what Limbaugh does best. That and insults just for their own sake. HOW many hours did Rush spend talking about how ugly Chelsea was????? What was the point of that, beyond hurting someone by trashing their child?

As soon as Keith starts THAT kind of behavior, then you'll have a point.

[LIBERALandProudOfIt]

Limbaugh is to lie as Olbermann is to truth.

So how can you possibly compare the two?

[Changeling]

And somewhere in America Bill-O is screaming himself red-faced and throwing objects accross the room.

[Foucek]

And thats when he's on his good behaviour.

[ZimboChick]

"we'll do it again!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!"