NYT: Olbermann to join … Al Gore’s Current TV
posted at 9:43 pm on February 7, 2011 by Allahpundit
Unconfirmed thus far, but the Times hears buzz. Two words: “equity stake.”
One of the people with knowledge of the plans said Mr. Olbermann would have an equity stake in Current TV. The people insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized by their employers to comment in advance of the official announcement…
Current TV has set up a presentation with advertisers for Wednesday afternoon in Manhattan to announce its future plans. The channel may be betting on Mr. Olbermann to put it on the cable map. The low-rated five-year-old channel needs the help. Targeting young people, it originally subsisted on YouTube-style submissions and video journalists. More recently it started producing and acquiring traditional television series, like repeats of “This American Life.”…
A move to Current TV would challenge Mr. Olbermann’s fans of his MSNBC show — where he drew about a million viewers a night — to follow him to a channel that is considerably less accessible. Current TV is available in only about 60 million homes, and is usually available only on the digital tier of cable television systems, which requires a separate receiver. MSNBC, which is owned by NBC Universal, is available in 85 million homes and is almost always available as a basic cable entry…
With Current TV, Mr. Olbermann would also gain a measure of independence. Unlike most cable channels, including MSNBC, which are owned by large media companies, Current is privately and independently owned by Mr. Gore and other backers.
Why would Olby settle for a rinky-dink operation like Current after being MSNBC’s 8 p.m. go-to guy for years on end? Could be that they outbid for him, but a big payday seems unlikely considering that the network was struggling so badly last year that it had to remake its whole operation. (Besides, who else would be bidding? CNN?) The key, I’d bet, is the equity provision, i.e. control. MSNBC’s overall leftward tilt was partly Olbermann’s doing; presumably he’ll have an even bigger influence over the programming at the “new” Current TV. In fact, per the Reuters story at the last link, the early buzz about Current when Gore got involved in 2004 was that it would be a left-wing alternative to Fox News. Having tried and semi-succeeded to build precisely that at MSNBC, Olby may be thinking of this as a second shot but with even greater leverage. Plus, if even one-tenth of the stories are true about what it’s like to work with him, he’ll need some equity to ensure that he doesn’t eventually get shoved out here too.
So Olby gets his own fiefdom and Gore and the other owners finally, finally get some traction online after flailing for seven years. Win/win! And per the earlier post, Arianna and her AOL/HuffPo leviathan will get some competition for whatever liberal video projects she’s planning to roll out. Meanwhile, on the right … not much going on online. Where are the Koch brothers when you need them?
Blowback
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Snort.
Philly on February 7, 2011 at 9:47 PM
ROFFLE MUH WAFFLE!
Inanemergencydial on February 7, 2011 at 9:48 PM
If you were Olbermann and you had a financial stake in a network, would you hire a guy who couldn’t get ratings? And hard to work with to boot! I don’t know Keithie, you might want to think twice before putting you on “air”.
Cindy Munford on February 7, 2011 at 9:48 PM
Wow. Even a dumber move than Howard Stern.
Rocks on February 7, 2011 at 9:49 PM
In all deference to Ed’s videos, we desperately need the HotAir videos back, featuring Michelle. That Amanda Marcotte series makes me snort every time.
SouthernGent on February 7, 2011 at 9:50 PM
I love watching the blind lead the blind!
Rndguy on February 7, 2011 at 9:50 PM
Heh.
JammieWearingFool on February 7, 2011 at 9:50 PM
And here I thought you couldn’t go lower than MSNBC.
RadioFreeUSA on February 7, 2011 at 9:51 PM
Words can’t describe how wonderful this would be.
I have no doubt that Current will fail to get ratings and therefore default on Olby’s contract.
blink on February 7, 2011 at 9:51 PM
What is Current TV?
El_Terrible on February 7, 2011 at 9:52 PM
Next up: Rachel Maddow makes a big move to Logo.
Rocks on February 7, 2011 at 9:53 PM
Olby and Al can go chase the honeys after the show wraps. Al’s got a feevah…
Philly on February 7, 2011 at 9:53 PM
It’s perplexing, for sure.
1.) Maybe he thinks he’ll bring the entire MSNBC viewership over to Current.
2.) Maybe he thinks that with his master touch he’ll be the one to finally successfully monetize liberal swill.
3.) Maybe he isn’t thinking at all because he has no brain.
hisfrogness on February 7, 2011 at 9:53 PM
I dont think I have this channel. Not that I want it…
MikeknaJ on February 7, 2011 at 9:55 PM
flameout
ted c on February 7, 2011 at 9:55 PM
This seem just slightly dumber than AOL’s latest purchase, but what do I know.
Cindy Munford on February 7, 2011 at 9:55 PM
I thought Current TV tanked on release and went under.
Oh well, looks like they just got an anchor as a life preserver.
mad scientist on February 7, 2011 at 9:55 PM
I keep waiting for someone to come forward with the bucks to give conservatives a news organization on the web that covers DC as extensively as Politico does. There’s plenty of blogging, opinion and analysis out there. But there’s not a lot of basic news reporting going on by conservatives. Someone needs to hire an army of reporters to be at the White House, Congressional committee meetings, State Department briefings, etc. Daily Caller and Washington Examiner just aren’t cutting it.
Mark1971 on February 7, 2011 at 9:56 PM
Free massages.
Terrie on February 7, 2011 at 9:56 PM
Does this mean Keeth will wear a spiked collar?
Kini on February 7, 2011 at 9:56 PM
He’s working with Aaron Sorkin on his new HBO show. You read it here first.
Brundlefly on February 7, 2011 at 9:58 PM
I guess Al will let anyone release his Chakra
Kini on February 7, 2011 at 9:59 PM
You did invent the teleporter. I’m inclined to believe you
hisfrogness on February 7, 2011 at 9:59 PM
So by not subscribing to Current TV, you’re telling me I can quietly withhold money from KO *and* Algore? Please tell me this also relates to the AOL-HuffPo merger today.
elcapt on February 7, 2011 at 10:00 PM
Darn it. I was going to say they’d make good Chakra together.
But, oh well.
BowHuntingTexas on February 7, 2011 at 10:01 PM
Define “dumb.”
YYZ on February 7, 2011 at 10:01 PM
Current TV? WTF is that?
Anyhow, his viewer will be pleased.
RedNewEnglander on February 7, 2011 at 10:02 PM
I love it when a plan comes together, one that allows multiple leftoids see their harebrained schemes crash, burn and explode. It’s a thing of beauty.
drunyan8315 on February 7, 2011 at 10:02 PM
Well, there is always Hot Air TV…?
d1carter on February 7, 2011 at 10:02 PM
WHat this means is the Olbermann is too sleazy for AOL.
That says a lot. A lot.
pedestrian on February 7, 2011 at 10:04 PM
Finally an upside to only having basic cable!
jjshaka on February 7, 2011 at 10:04 PM
Wait, Current TV is still on air? Good move KO!
crazywater on February 7, 2011 at 10:05 PM
Air America goes cable.
What could possibly go wrong with a business plan like that?
logis on February 7, 2011 at 10:06 PM
I for one am excited to hear this. Why? Because now we get to hear Olby in his most pure form of crazy. Should make for some interesting veiny-forehead-screaming videos.
Meric1837 on February 7, 2011 at 10:07 PM
Thanks to AlGore…
… It’s the only place to work that has a mirror for self reflection every six inches on every wall, desk, door, and toilet.
Olbermann will be in heaven…
Seven Percent Solution on February 7, 2011 at 10:09 PM
Maybe Keith will be the next guy who has to be rescued from North Korea. lol!
Connie on February 7, 2011 at 10:09 PM
Didn’t Stern get something like half a billion from moving to Sirius? I don’t care how much smaller his audience is now, that’s hard to classify as dumb.
Doughboy on February 7, 2011 at 10:09 PM
Great, not on my cable lineup. Wouldn’t watch anyway. I’m sure Hot Air will supply us with plenty of video anyway. let’s see how this crazy buffoon goes even farther left.
Hummer53 on February 7, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Wow, evidence of both AGW and out of control human generated CO2 emissions, a severe event of climate changing positive feedback, possibly irreversible, plus, um, Godzilla and Mothra sleeping together?
Anyway, this is truly is a sign of … something.
Dusty on February 7, 2011 at 10:11 PM
I hope this won’t wear on Als wallet unprofitably. He has a planet to save.
BL@KBIRD on February 7, 2011 at 10:11 PM
He’s making a hell of a lot of money, but he marginalized himself by moving to satellite. He’s hardly that pop culture figure that he was when he was on terrestrial radio.
Mark1971 on February 7, 2011 at 10:13 PM
…you would think that this would be changing considering how the bottom line to these media ventures is all about money.
Conservatives would flock in droves to alternate media sources that expose the left and their allies in the MSM.
Liberals have so many media sources to choose from (ABC,CBS,NBC,MSNBC,CNN,comedy channel…….) that it is no big deal to see another one pop up.
Conservatives have very few and would certainly make some enterprising media executives very happy with a credible alternative to the tripe we see on a regular basis coming from the MSM.
Baxter Greene on February 7, 2011 at 10:14 PM
Oh my how the might have fallen.
HA HA HA HA HA!
gophergirl on February 7, 2011 at 10:14 PM
Current TV is in 60m homes and MSNBC is in 85m homes… with a combined viwership of “several” as the trades label it.
mankai on February 7, 2011 at 10:14 PM
LOL! Oh wow, Olby.
nickj116 on February 7, 2011 at 10:15 PM
heh! ++
he just couldn’t get the massage chick to do it for him. I wonder if it’s in Keith’s contract.
ted c on February 7, 2011 at 10:15 PM
This is why $350MM is insane for Huffpo. Any big name can jump to some long forgotten Oblivion TV and turn it into the hot property for some subgroup and then suck the oxygen of the big, slow-moving, over ego-ed corporation that is struggling to feed the coupon-clippers who are calling the shots there.
pedestrian on February 7, 2011 at 10:17 PM
Current what?
angryed on February 7, 2011 at 10:20 PM
Option A: More money than I could spend in 10 lifetimes.
Option B: pop culture figure
Yeah I think I’d take A as well.
angryed on February 7, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Kind of a cross between Andy of Mayberry and Howdy Doody, now with Kaptain Kangaroo thrown in.
Rovin on February 7, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Good. They deserve each other.
BacaDog on February 7, 2011 at 10:22 PM
LOLZ!!!! Reminds me of the big rollout of the Dem’s new “D” logo
thebrokenrattle on February 7, 2011 at 10:23 PM
This will be interesting. Olby has made some $$ in the last few years, but not “mega” Algore kinda dough. If he’s gotta buy in, and it tubes he’s taking a pretty big roll. Since comcast owns a 10% stake in Current, maybe he’s buying out their share? I can’t imagine they’d object, Current is bleeding money and living on borrowed money. Not unlike America, ironic, no?
Tim Zank on February 7, 2011 at 10:23 PM
LOL. Outbid for him.
I said back last year that this guy was headed for oblivion, aka, whatever shell was left of Air America.
Is this news to anyone?
You know how you hear that NOBODY who knows this guy likes him. Guess what – it is an understatement. A huge understatement.
The understatement of the year.
Pretty soon, even Al Gore won’t give him work. Not even for free.
Dreadnought on February 7, 2011 at 10:28 PM
Since Current TV’s viewrship makes Dan Rather’s numbers on Mark Cuban’s HD Net look like ESPN’s during January’s BCS championship game, Olbermann’s basically going into the video version of the witness protection program here. It might get cleared on basic cable in some liberal haunts like San Francisco or Austin, but Keith’s not going to settle for that kind of insignificance. This doesn’t figure to end well 2-3 years from now.
jon1979 on February 7, 2011 at 10:28 PM
Tim Zank,
If you’re referring to Air America then yeah, that’s how I see this. A last ditch desperate attempt to avoid the same fate.
predator on February 7, 2011 at 10:30 PM
The online Right has arranged itself neatly on a plane at points equidistant from the ostensible focus of their collective gunfire. They would get a lot farther if they stopped squabbling and measuring one another by the Left’s yardstick.
alwaysfiredup on February 7, 2011 at 10:30 PM
Actually, that sounds a hell of a lot more entertaining than what Current TV peddles.
Dreadnought on February 7, 2011 at 10:30 PM
Great.
Another reason not to watch that network.
Machiavelli Hobbes on February 7, 2011 at 10:30 PM
Olbermann leaves MSNBC to join Al Gore’s Current TV
…thereby increasing the credibility of both organizations.
topdog on February 7, 2011 at 10:31 PM
I’ve never even seen Current TV. I’m guessing it’s like Pacifica Radio, but with pictures.
Mark1971 on February 7, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Is Current TV solar powered? Just wondering.
predator on February 7, 2011 at 10:32 PM
PJTV has some interesting stuff online, if you’re looking for stuff from “the right.” I think they are, much like you and Ed, more bent towards the libertarian view of things, rather than a more traditional conservative one. But they’re certainly to the right of center.
nukemhill on February 7, 2011 at 10:34 PM
Pissing away your audience is always dumb in the long run but at least Stern got the cash for it. Olbie is taking stock hoping he might get paid.
Rocks on February 7, 2011 at 10:39 PM
And they make nowhere near Olbermann kind of money. There’s no way his program breaks even.
alwaysfiredup on February 7, 2011 at 10:41 PM
The Worst Career Arc in the World.
Terrie on February 7, 2011 at 10:42 PM
Here is the next in line – They think he is going crazy over at News Busted
Has The Cheese Slid Off Of Chris Matthews’s Cracker?
Nearly Nobody on February 7, 2011 at 10:46 PM
Sounds like another “Air America” hole to pour money into.
GarandFan on February 7, 2011 at 10:47 PM
Doing my best evil Mandark laugh: HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa!!!
At last glance, Current TV (Dish Channel 196) dropped its most popular show, ‘The Rotten Tomatoes Show’ at the end of last season due to cost overruns and lack of an audience.
Doubt very seriously that Olby is going to help with either ratings or advertisers. In fact, he may easily wind up driving them away.
Jack Deth on February 7, 2011 at 10:49 PM
Nearly Nobody on February 7, 2011 at 10:46 PM
I think that tingle in Chrissie’s leg has finally reached his brain.
predator on February 7, 2011 at 10:51 PM
As long as Olby pays his taxes, go on over to Current whatever and do whatever you want to do… Money into Olby’s wallet is money out of AlGore’s…
Win-win, but overall: DILLIGAF…
Khun Joe on February 7, 2011 at 10:52 PM
Isn’t Current TV an offshoot of Bridges TV? One to give the leftist voice and the other to give the Muslim voice of the grand convergence?
BL@KBIRD on February 7, 2011 at 10:57 PM
Agreed….Olby unleashed and unsupervised will be awesome – we’re about to be treated to new levels of televised, first-degree, gen-u-ine mental illness!!
Crazy-Olby and Chakra-Boy – what a team.
Can’t Wait!!
Tim_CA on February 7, 2011 at 10:58 PM
Current TV. Great! I don’t get that network. I hope.
john1schn on February 7, 2011 at 11:02 PM
Isn’t Current TV on Al Jazeera?
Terrie on February 7, 2011 at 11:11 PM
Perfect! They can call it the “All Heat and No Light Network.”
smellthecoffee on February 7, 2011 at 11:24 PM
Al Gore has a TV network? and it’s name is Current? Who knew??
jeanie on February 7, 2011 at 11:32 PM
It’s not even very liberal if liberal at all. Programs include Kill It, Cook It, Eat It, which often depicts live animals being slaughtered. And then you have the stalwart of liberal programming- SWAT: Miami Dade.
bayam on February 7, 2011 at 11:44 PM
I’ve checked and am very relieved to know that we don’t get it.
jeanie on February 7, 2011 at 11:47 PM
Lean Goreward?
rihar on February 8, 2011 at 12:00 AM
Hey kids, let’s put on a show in the barn! My Ma can
makestitch up the costumes!juanito on February 8, 2011 at 12:11 AM
Algorezeera!
JeffB. on February 8, 2011 at 12:29 AM
Oh my good Christ. Olby will soon own Fox Newts.
/not a typo
Ugly on February 8, 2011 at 12:31 AM
An equity position means a share of the profits, if any, but it doesn’t necessarily mean control. There are such things as being a minority stockholder or owning nonvoting stock.
bgoldman on February 8, 2011 at 12:38 AM
Current? Certainly not Credible.
More apt to delete the “r-r-e” in C-u-r-r-e-n-t
The Foaming at the Mouth Network
sgtstogie on February 8, 2011 at 1:24 AM
An equity stake means risk. Believe me I know.
What percentage of this type of things works out? I mean for all new business it is fairly low…
I hope this makes them both bankrupt.
It couldn’t happen to nicer guys.
Olberman must feel like he’s on top of the world going into business with a former VP.
Gore is a snake oil salesman if there ever was one.
I almost feel sorry for Olby.
petunia on February 8, 2011 at 1:34 AM
Who else would hire the guy? Olbermann is a toxic head case and the MSNBC gig was the best he would ever do. He’s Morton Downey without the class.
RadClown on February 8, 2011 at 1:47 AM
Nope. Cox Cable Communications does not carry Current TV. Aw shucks. I really wanted to watch that KILL IT, COOK IT, EAT IT show, and the 15 daily episodes of Swat: Miami Dade.
What riveting television.
Keef Olberdouche can mold Current TV into an even further failing network than it already is just like he did MSNBC. Not that I care though, I never watched his show even once. I only reveled in the schadenfreude and the MSNBC ratings nose dive reports I occasionally saw. It brought me such glee :)
FlatFoot on February 8, 2011 at 2:41 AM
AKA “Oblivion”
AKA “the ash heap of history”
American Elephant on February 8, 2011 at 2:46 AM
There is too much good stuff to watch these days. Who is going to want to watch Gore/Olby crap?
Blake on February 8, 2011 at 5:47 AM
Isn’t CurrentTV the channel who employed the two female journalists who entered North Korea illegally? Haven’t heard much from them after their release.
Blake on February 8, 2011 at 5:57 AM
current TV?…how many folks actually have that station with their cable system, seriously
hilarious!
cmsinaz on February 8, 2011 at 6:17 AM
not a lateral move…..heh
cmsinaz on February 8, 2011 at 6:31 AM
Whats Current TV…nevermind..who cares
malkinmania on February 8, 2011 at 6:37 AM
Next:
Ed Schultz signs on with the emergency broadcast system test.
Dr. Carlo Lombardi on February 8, 2011 at 6:43 AM
Lies, damn lies and Keith Olbermann. At least he and the Gorey one have something in common. Both fancy themselves as intellectually superior, a mindset fostered by a delusional, illogical, liberal existence and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous group of followers who hold forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
Syd B. on February 8, 2011 at 6:47 AM
Al Gore could return Current TV to the former News World International that it was before he purchased it and then Olbermann could be the lead anchor.
scrubjay on February 8, 2011 at 6:48 AM
Current TV?
Since I didn’t know about it, don’t want it and can’t see watching it in any possible future, save one controlled by Big Brother when you have no choice, I can safely say that adding Olberman to the channel will exactly double my interest in it.
How far less than zero can my interest go?
Depends which lefty retread goes there, next, I guess. They want to double down on stupid, I will double down on avoidance… now that I know it exists, that is. This is how all publicity is good publicity – it gets your name out there.
ajacksonian on February 8, 2011 at 6:52 AM
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