Byers reported,

Two days later, on February 27, Olbermann sent Shell a lengthy, unsolicited email offering his thoughts on the challenges that MSNBC faced and the opportunities the network had to boost ratings and generate more revenue

…

In a roughly 5,000-word dissertation-style email, complete with attached appendices demonstrating his research, Olbermann laid out a detailed and acerbic diagnosis of the cable news landscape and MSNBC’s troubles. He noted, for instance, that while Maddow’s ratings in the coveted 25-to-54 year-old demo were up 81percent from 2010, ratings for Chris Hayes’ show at 8 p.m.—Olbermann’s former time slot—were only up 3 percent. “There’s only one conclusion to be drawn: MSNBC is woefully underperforming in prime time,” he wrote. “And, while it is hidden by the amount of money [The Rachel Maddow Show] makes for you, the current 8 p.m. hour is the cause.”

Olbermann reportedly said, “Your 8 p.m. show is dying of thirst during a flood.”