Keith Olbermann On Current TV? Reports Swirl Around Tuesday's Announcement

Keith Olbermann may be going to Current TV, The New York Times reported on Monday night, according to those familiar with the matter.

The Times reported that Olbermann, his representatives and Current TV executives all would not comment on the move ahead of Tuesday's 11 a.m. Eastern Time press conference.

Current TV is a public affairs channel which was co-founded by Vice President Al Gore. If Olbermann goes there, he would be landing at a much smaller channel than his former home, MSNBC. (The Times notes that Current is only available in 60 million homes, whereas MSNBC is available in 85 million homes.) He would also not be able to start for some months; the deal he made with MSNBC upon his departure stipulated that he not appear on television for at least half a year. But the move would allow Olbermann to potentially bring a whole new audience to Current.

Olbermann abruptly left MSNBC following his last "Countdown" show on Jan. 21.

The Times notes Olbermann could separately pursue other ventures, perhaps online, while working with Current TV.

The Wrap has speculated Olbermann could be interested in starting his own media empire. Mediate says that the domain names “theolbermannshow.com” and “thekeitholbermannshow.com” were registered in January.

There's been silence on Olbermann's Twitter feed since he joked a few hours ago, "OK it's true! I've signed with the Yankees. I'm competing with Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon for the 5th Starter's job."

Comments

[Toni Mueller]

03:23 PM on 02/09/2011

My TV viewing used to be Keith, Rachel & Lawrence. Now it's Rachel, Ed and the yeller and interrupter!!!!! I just cannot watch the latter - I like people to be able to finish a sentence

[Toni Mueller]

03:21 PM on 02/09/2011

What channel is Current on? I have Direct TV

[Lizaxyz]

09:37 AM on 02/09/2011

We do not get channel 107 for Current TV on Comcast and we can't afford to pay more to get it. But all the best to KO. Have to catch him online I guess...

[chumleypotts]

09:02 PM on 02/10/2011

When I heard Current TV is viewed by a whopping 18,000 households, I was astounded at the success of this little known network. Al was as shrewd as always when he recruited KO. Projections are the viewership may climb as high as 18,010.

[shirley thomas]

12:49 AM on 02/09/2011

i don't care where keith goes as long as he is on tv.haven't watched msnbc since he left, and now that comcast purchase is complet, won't be returning. have canceled comcast tv. i need to spend more time reading anyway. will take the money i'm saving on cable and send to dems

[MadAs]

08:52 PM on 02/08/2011

Is that Current as in Today or Current as in the river flows?

I like the latter, as in the river widens and deepens with the current and that's what will happen where Keith goes.

[Siebenstein]

02:39 AM on 02/10/2011

Current as in right now !

[MissMapleLeaf]

08:19 PM on 02/08/2011

Looks like I will have to pester Shaw or find a way to download. I'm very interested in seeing what he does with this new venture

[steven hurd]

07:36 PM on 02/08/2011

I will set my DVR on whatever channel Keith is on, period. I will be a fan of whatever channel Keith is on, period. They(Current TV) had me at "hello"......

[BOin08]

07:10 PM on 02/08/2011

the Countdown begins... what's the Over/Under - days worked - before eventual unhappy ending?

[Boodieugwumba]

06:13 PM on 02/08/2011

Just glad to hear that Keith is gonna be back. I'll watch him anywhere he is, even if it's a network with 100 viewers and I know that there'll be more than a million watching after his first week. MSNBC lost a lot when they let Keith go.

[VANDERGRAAFK]

05:42 PM on 02/08/2011

Good news for Keith. Perhaps MSNBC can repeat episodes of Keith on Current TV during their Weekend Lock Up segment. Otherwise, does anyone really expect to hear/see Keith anytime soon. I doubt that Time Warner is going to air Current TV on a basic cable tier in Los Angeles, especially when it has already banished the Weather Channel and the Style Channel.

[duckworthj]

05:56 PM on 02/08/2011

Time Warner isn't the only cable company out there. I have Direct and they offer Current TV. If you're going to be on there Keith, I'll find you. Great news. I've missed you.

[VANDERGRAAFK]

07:22 PM on 02/08/2011

Alas, I have no Direct TV. Nor do I wish this. I can afford basic cable. That's it! I'm still waiting for Al Jazeera English.

[castleb]

04:29 PM on 02/08/2011

Looking forward to it, Mr. Olbermann. You've been sorely missed.

[Landisrc]

04:20 PM on 02/08/2011

Could this be the first step toward a Progressive Network a la the Reactionary Network (FOX?)

[earlyblue]

04:40 PM on 02/08/2011

Maybe . . . that would be fair. At least he would not pretend to be both fair AND balanced.

[duckworthj]

05:59 PM on 02/08/2011

I sure hope so. We need a network of our own to renounce all the craziness going on at Fox. Beck is looney.

[McCartney g]

04:06 PM on 02/08/2011

Congrats to KO!! :) don't have access to Current and don't wanna pay Comcast bastiffs~ anymore $$.. I'm also not diggin- Currents -slaughter animals show WTF?

[Minnehaha]

04:05 PM on 02/08/2011

Where Keith lands I will follow. On current he will not be restricted GO KEITH!!!!!! I can't wait to hear the truth according to Keith.