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On Opening Night, MSNBC’s O’Donnell Beats Olbermann Despite Relentless Hype

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» 65 comments

Keith Olbermann rallied the troops on Twitter, gave a flurry of high profile interviews, and his new bosses at Current TV backed him with their best efforts at promoting their new franchise. The reality check came Tuesday, from Nielsen. According to ratings data released by Current, the Monday night debut of Countdown with Keith Olbermann had 179,000 viewers in the advertiser-coveted–and critical–demographic of viewers 25-54. The network declined to say what the show’s total viewing audience was. “It’s one night. We’ll need a couple of weeks to know where we’re starting,” Olbermann said in a statement released by the network.

While the network said it was also very pleased with the ratings, Olbermann’s move from MSNBC to Current has cost him in viewership. His old timeslot at MSNBC, now occupied by Lawrence O’Donnell, attracted 237,000 viewers in the demo–and that was only good enough for a third place finish behind Fox News and HLN’s Nancy Grace. Olbermann did beat CNN, In the Arena, but that show’s host, Eliot Spitzer has been off this week, and CNN’s ratings overall have been lower as interest in the Casey Anthony murder trial seems to have sent viewers to HLN for its wall-to-wall coverage.

Will viewers find Olbermann and bring the ratings up? As the host said, it takes time for new shows (even ones that look pretty much identical to old shows) to find their groove. But as a rule, opening night ratings tend to be higher than the nights that follow, as curious drop-in viewers who want to have a look on the first night don’t come back. More than two million viewers tuned in to watch CNN’s Piers Morgan open his new show with guest Oprah Winfrey. On Monday, with guest Ryan O’Neal, the total viewership was a far smaller 689,000.

The difference between Morgan and Olbermann, however, is the network that surrounds each show. CNN has strong viewership throughout the day and night to remind viewers about Piers Morgan Tonight and promote the show. Current, with its significantly smaller average audience, is pitching Countdown to a comparatively tiny group of viewers, forcing Current to spend money on advertising the show, or, as they did last night, sending Olbermann off in search of free media with an appearance on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman.

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  • felixw

    Okay, let’s get this straight. MSNBC can’t get close to Fox in ratings. And Olbermann can’t get close to MSNBC in ratings. At this rate, Keith will soon have an audience of one, as he talks to himself in the mirror. He is well equipped for this, since he ALREADY sounds like someone talking to himself in the mirror.

  • possibly

    Keith got an amazing 179k in the demo on Current TV–a channel I don’t even get.

    Mediate has become FOXNATION in every article and is losing credibility by the minute!!

  • Yogi Gupta

    Olbermann never had a #1 TV show. He was always distant second to Bill O’Reilly. Olbermann is a failure. MediaITE seems to keep pimping for him. Abrams should hire him for MediaITE, he would make a better liberal hack than some here.

  • editorialjoe

    Can “Current TV” even compare to MSNBC and Fox? Don’t get me wrong, Olbie’s a crank, but to say that a show on Current TV was trounced in the ratings by ANY established Cable network isn’t really saying much–neither about Current’s programming nor about Olbermann. I’m sure there are massive swaths of demographic that receive Current from their cable provider and still haven’t even heard of it.

    I’d raise my glass to the fact that Olbie no longer has a big venue–but unfortunately, Mr. O’Donnell is doing an exceptional job of making his hour-long faux-outrage whinefest just as ludicrous as Olbermann’s before he was booted.

  • felixw

    possibly said:
    Mediate has become FOXNATION in every article and is losing credibility by the minute!!

    This is the funniest comment of the day. I would be shocked if there is a single editor or writer at Mediaite who didn’t vote for Obama in the last election. (Okay, maybe some voted for Nader.) But still….

  • Paladin

    Go Keith. I’m rootin for ya.

  • Tony the Fist

    I actually watched Keith on his return with Michael Moore (On my TV, Current is next to FNC). He nodded vigorously as Moore stated his distaste for Obama using the “Bush model” of cherry picking evidence to back up war plans, but while what Obama is doing is bad, Bush was so much worse…just because.
    Sort of like: Crip kills Blood = “Not cool.” Blood kills Crip = “You evil $@!&&!! I’m gonna make a movie about you!”
    Please.

  • Just4thefax

    Fact: This artical reminds me of Midget wrestling. Funny to watch and this one is funny to read.

  • felixw

    Keith needs a sidekick on his show. Someone who can expand his audience. May I suggest the following candidate?

    http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/crime/detail?entry_id=91446

  • timzank

    Paladin said:
    Go Keith. I’m rootin for ya.

    Heh, you and the other 197,998 Olby fans.

  • sopal1953

    I’m glad he’s back, but I don’t get Current. The problem with this move is that, unlike the major networks and even CNN and MSNBC, Current isn’t available everywhere. If Current wants to expand and have these types of programs, they need to reach more homes.

  • Arkansas Steve

    MARK,
    Did I read you correctly?
    Did you really say: “According to ratings data released by Current….”
    RELEASED BY CURRENT ???

    Headline: According to data released by the International Association of People from Arkansas named Steve:

    NOBODY CARES!

  • http://www.mediaite.com/tv/glenn-beck-explains-how-the-unions-are-using-teachers-firefighters-and-co ImNotBlue

    I think it was a real mistake for KO to ever suggest that his numbers were going to beat or be close to his old MSNBC. Let’s face it… they’re not. Even if he does really really well, they’re not. And by stating that as his goal, all he’s going to do is make himself look foolish (more foolish) when they don’t.

    It’s like someone saying they’re going to lose 100 pounds, but only losing 10. Losing 10 lbs is nothing to be ashamed of, but in the context of how much you wanted to lose, it’s just a drop in the bucket. That’s how KO’s ratings are going to be… good for Current, but pathetic when compared to his goal.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Ar/100000903987836 Chris Ar

    sopal1953 said:
    I’m glad he’s back, but I don’t get Current. The problem with this move is that, unlike the major networks and even CNN and MSNBC, Current isn’t available everywhere. If Current wants to expand and have these types of programs, they need to reach more homes.

    Nobody wants Current. I only found out recently I’ve had it on my cable system since it first launched.

    At least Current can claim something it couldn’t claim before bringing in Olbermann: people are talking about Current.

  • NYOD

    Help me understand the child’s logic here:

    1)CurrentTV is carried by a fraction of cable/dish/DirectTV providers, and
    2)Olbermann’s initial viewing audience was 170,000 . . .

    Therefore, somehow, after two days, with searing logic befitting a FOX viewer,
    A)his new show is a failure,
    B)his “viewership” is dwindling,
    C)”getting close to FOX ratings” is a measure of the incorrectness of his positions?

    Such are the mindless rantings of mange-ridden cats.

  • Liberal Tormentor – tormenting liberals with logic and facts since 1972

    Relentless hype by Mediaite!

  • seek

    That picture looks like Olbermann is cuffed to the pole he’s leaning on – lol
    Now watch what is going to happen. He’s going to go batshit crazy to try and draw an audience.
    I won’t bother – I’ll just get the highlights here and that’s good enough for me.

    btw whoever was making fun of the right with the jeans and the suit top – well????

  • NYOD

    Arkansas Steve said:
    MARK,
    Did I read you correctly?
    Did you really say: “According to ratings data released by Current….”
    RELEASED BY CURRENT ???

    Headline: According to data released by the International Association of People from Arkansas named Steve:

    NOBODY CARES!

    Probably got that from FOX or Mediate. The ratings that CURRENT released were from Nielsen. Invent something else Stevie.

  • Azarkhan

    “the Monday night debut of Countdown with Keith Olbermann had 179,000 viewers in the advertiser-coveted–and critical–demographic of viewers 25-54″

    But he probably has one million viewers in the old leftist f*rt age group of 65+.

  • OxyCon

    With Olberdouche and Crazy Larry splitting the loon audience at 8:00 PM, both shows will be the lowest rated shows in that time slot.

  • slickerwick

    Oh-oh. Nielsen will be Olbie’s next Worstest Person in the Whole Wide World.

  • Jaurez

    possibly said:
    Keith got an amazing 179k in the demo on Current TV–

    ROFLMBAO!

  • dummy123

    Global Warming is the culprit!
    Increased methane gas emissions kept viewers away.

  • http://www.mediaite.com/tv/glenn-beck-explains-how-the-unions-are-using-teachers-firefighters-and-co ImNotBlue

    NYOD said:
    Help me understand the child’s logic here:

    1)CurrentTV is carried by a fraction of cable/dish/DirectTV providers, and
    2)Olbermann’s initial viewing audience was 170,000 . . .

    Therefore, somehow, after two days, with searing logic befitting a FOX viewer,
    A)his new show is a failure,
    B)his “viewership” is dwindling,
    C)”getting close to FOX ratings” is a measure of the incorrectness of his positions?

    Such are the mindless rantings of mange-ridden cats.

    I think “D” was the right choice:

    “D) Low numbers for KO compared to where he was, decent for Current, but destined for fall after the initial enthusiasm drops. Nowhere near meeting his goals of beating FNC or MSNBC.”

  • Hall Phillip Walker
  • BR

    sopal1953 said:
    I’m glad he’s back, but I don’t get Current. The problem with this move is that, unlike the major networks and even CNN and MSNBC, Current isn’t available everywhere. If Current wants to expand and have these types of programs, they need to reach more homes.

    I’m happy that he is back too. I just love watching him implode. He will get a few more viewers and as soon as he thinks that he’s untouchable he will have a meltdown and be fired…………again.

    New Name: Groundhog Day with Keith Olbermann!

  • Pablo

    NYOD said:
    Help me understand the child’s logic here:

    1)CurrentTV is carried by a fraction of cable/dish/DirectTV providers, and
    2)Olbermann’s initial viewing audience was 170,000 . . .

    Therefore, somehow, after two days, with searing logic befitting a FOX viewer,
    A)his new show is a failure,
    B)his “viewership” is dwindling,
    C)”getting close to FOX ratings” is a measure of the incorrectness of his positions?

    Such are the mindless rantings of mange-ridden cats.

    You made it up, so you ought to know what it is.

  • Dave Richards

    Olbermann preaches to the choir. As long as has has only tose who agree with him on his program he will lose.
    Who the hell wants to see propagandist Michael Moore and the sick Markos clown on a regular basis?

  • OxyCon

    BR said:
    I’m happy that he is back too. I just love watching him implode. He will get a few more viewers and as soon as he thinks that he’s untouchable he will have a meltdown and be fired…………again.

    New Name: Groundhog Day with Keith Olbermann!

    Yeah, without any filter or anyone to hold him back, Olbermann will flame out faster and larger then ever before this time.

  • Dem4Ever

    Kieth it’s wonderful that you are the flagship program at Current because once you have bankrupted this network wanna be you will have no place else to go.  Good luck…I know you can do it.

  • GoneFishing

    possibly said:
    Keith got an amazing 179k in the demo on Current TV–a channel I don’t even get.

    Mediate has become FOXNATION in every article and is losing credibility by the minute!!

    so Mediaite is now somehow center right… have you lost your friggin mind?

    This Tool’s post is a wonderfully illustrative example of the tactic of negative accusation, collective bullying and labeling common to the progressive play-book.

    To the Progressive, objective truth does not exist, and rational argument is avoided in the race to make a point…Self deception is encouraged, and spin and deception become reality.

    In the Progressive ‘Marketplace of Ideas’ there is only one soup on the shelf. An unappetizing brand they aggressively sell by misstatement, threats, lies, baseless accusation and fear. They say its good for you…They care about you, and do not want you to waste your time reading labels and deciding for yourself. Its all for your own good. Now shut up and eat your soup.

  • Emma

    Olbermann has a few good qualities and at times, his insights were spot on. However, he’s a massive blowhard, who is all ego and low on substance.

  • Boomer

    On Comcast, CurrentTV is on a tier that Comcast wants me to pay more for. Not happening. I’d watch him otherwise.

  • Zakk

    Didn’t care then, don’t care now.

  • macjog

    My cable company also does not carry CurrentTV and I have not had a chance to watch it on the internet. Tonight I will watch on my computer because I was so upset when MSNBC dropped him. I also will be writing my cable company to add CurrentTV to their lineup.

  • Sanders Youth

    MSNBC is available in 95 million households in the United States

    Current TV is available in 59 million households in the United States

    Seems like Keith did pretty good to me, seems weird that Mediaite didn’t point that fact out, doesn’t it?

  • Sanders Youth

    Zakk said:
    Didn’t care then, don’t care now.

    And you clicked on this story, read it and commented on how you didn’t care. You are a smart person.

  • Hall Phillip Walker

    Sanders Youth said:
    MSNBC is available in 95 million households in the United States

    Current TV is available in 59 million households in the United States

    Seems like Keith did pretty good to me, seems weird that Mediaite didn’t point that fact out, doesn’t it?

    I’ll say it again, Olbermann currently has the #1 ranked podcast on this new-fangled 30th century thing called itunes. Ergo there are lots of folks who would like to watch Current but don’t get the network.

  • Sanders Youth

    GoneFishing said:
    so Mediaite is now somehow center right… have you lost your friggin mind?

    This Tool’s post is a wonderfully illustrative example of the tactic of negative accusation, collective bullying and labeling common to the progressive play-book.

    To the Progressive, objective truth does not exist, and rational argument is avoided in the race to make a point…Self deception is encouraged, and spin and deception become reality.

    In the Progressive ‘Marketplace of Ideas’ there is only one soup on the shelf. An unappetizing brand they aggressively sell by misstatement, threats, lies, baseless accusation and fear. They say its good for you…They care about you, and do not want you to waste your time reading labels and deciding for yourself. Its all for your own good. Now shut up and eat your soup.

    Mediaite is the proxy of the Drudge Report any sort of googling and reading will show you that this is true. Are you saying the Drudge Report is liberal?

  • Sanders Youth

    Hall Phillip Walker said:
    I’ll say it again, Olbermann currently has the #1 ranked podcast on this new-fangled 30th century thing called itunes. Ergo there are lots of folks who would like to watch Current but don’t get the network.

    You can watch it on justin.tv but I don’t think Current gets the numbers for that I will go download the podcasts now. I was just pointing out that Mediaite neglected to give out some important info on this story, not that I am surprised. Dan Abrams still has a bug up his ass for Keith.

  • Sanders Youth

    possibly said:
    Keith got an amazing 179k in the demo on Current TV–a channel I don’t even get.

    Mediate has become FOXNATION in every article and is losing credibility by the minute!!

    Became? Mediaite is a proxy for Drudge it always has been since day one. I think it is funny when the conbaggers on here say Mediaite is a liberal site. I would hate to read any website they considered conservative. They probably have David Duke as a blogger on that site.

  • Sanders Youth

    So Keith beat Eliot Spitzer?

    CNN is in 101 million households
    Current TV is in 59 million households

    At least we know that Mediaite isn’t much of a No Spin Zone.

  • Pat Era

    More often than not, the self-righteous American media loses its “sense” of fairness!
    The Current TV, apart from being new in the market is relatively small in the number of households that it reaches, compare against Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, that have been around and reach far more number of households, respectively. So the comparison is not only idiotic, it is baseless by all account, and egg to the face of those who blindly did it – without acknowledging these salient facts. In any case, the fact that Countdown with Keith Olbermann, was able to draw 179,000 viewers on Current TV is a mark of great things to come. This is in the face of the Cable and Satellite providers requiring consumers to pay for a whole package of upgrade for them to receive Current TV channel, instead of just the Current TV channel they call for. These are facts that go a long way to affect the total viewership not just of Countdown , but also of Current TV as a channel.
    However, for me and my friends we are glad that the indefatigable Keith Olbermann is back on air again!

  • The Voice of Reason

    I feel bad for him. Without any viewers he is just a nutty nut bar whining in a room by himself.

  • Pat Era

    If this is “The Voice of Reason” FOOLISHNESS and IGNORANT have no meaning – it is that simple!

  • Just my Opinion

    How’s that for a Claim to Ratings Fame??
    O’Donnell on MSNBC, which few if any people watch–
    Beats Olbermann on Current TV, which few if any people watch—

    There were more people watching the College World Series game last night
    than the two of them combined!

  • Pat Era

    If this is “The Voice of Reason” FOOLISHNESS and IGNORANCE have no meaning – it is that simple!

  • http://www.mediaite.com/tv/glenn-beck-explains-how-the-unions-are-using-teachers-firefighters-and-co ImNotBlue

    Sanders Youth said:
    Mediaite is the proxy of the Drudge Report any sort of googling and reading will show you that this is true. Are you saying the Drudge Report is liberal?

    Prove it.

    Sanders Youth said:
    Became? Mediaite is a proxy for Drudge it always has been since day one. I think it is funny when the conbaggers on here say Mediaite is a liberal site. I would hate to read any website they considered conservative. They probably have David Duke as a blogger on that site.

    What makes this site Conservative, to you?

  • Pat Era

    @ Just my Opinion: The more reason they follow Sarah Palin!

  • Pablo

    Sanders Youth said:
    So Keith beat Eliot Spitzer?

    CNN is in 101 million households
    Current TV is in 59 million households

    At least we know that Mediaite isn’t much of a No Spin Zone.

    Spitzer’s on vacation. RTFA, you’ll be glad you did.

  • GoneFishing

    Sanders Youth said:
    Mediaite is the proxy of the Drudge Report any sort of googling and reading will show you that this is true. Are you saying the Drudge Report is liberal?

    There is no connection at all, and your attempt to creat on, and that it is somehow ‘bad’ is interesting. Your premise is false; Mediaite can in no way be called Conservative. Not following the Progressive piper down the garden path, does not equate to Conservative. Nor does any perceived connection, or not, to the Drudge Report.

    As my original post points out, The progressive argument always rests on the accusation, spin and perception, not objective observation or fact. By no objective measure could Mediaite be considered to push a Conservative message. But they could not be said to push a Progressive message either, and that for you is the real issue. You seem to be suggesting Meidaite needs to be scolded or diminished because it does not push the progressive line, or frame a story as you think they should. Your desire for self deception should be your first consideration; Objective truth matters. Why do you believe as you do, and is that belief valid… is it true. The mistake is in eating the soup, and not noticing the aftertaste or how empty the shelf is. Look around.

    The problem in reasoning is your attempted characterization of the issue, and the creation of the illusion of bias at Mediaite and Drudge that by objective measure, does not exist…but create it you must for your attack to be valid. It is not, and it never was.

  • GoneFishing

    Here is an interesting essay from Walter Russell Mead’s Blog on the Progressive movement…its successes and failures. It is worth your time regardless of where you are on the political spectrum.

    http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/wrm/2011/06/10/when-government-jumps-the-shark/

  • TucsonTerpFan

    Saw spot for Olberblabber’s show during Fox’s O’Reilly Factor last night; it may have been an “override” by DishNet and not a Fox spot.

    Poor Keith…his love for himself is so annoying. Of course Larry O’Duh’s in love with himself too.

    Wow, on Current and MSNBC at the same time — it’s a “love-fest.”

  • Liberal Tormentor – tormenting liberals with logic and facts since 1972

    What’s gonna hurt is when Beck’s GBTV starts trouncing him. That will be fun to watch!

  • TeaPartyNation

    “On Opening Night, MSNBC’s O’Donnell Beats Olbermann Despite Relentless Hype”

    I bet TAX CHEAT olbermann’s MOST LOYAL FANS – the staff at mediaite – are having a boehner over this
    (P.S. “a boehner” = a good cry.).

  • OxyCon
  • CarmanK

    Glad Olberman is back. He brings a lot of truth to the real news of the days. I really love it when tbaggers try to pretend that facts mean something to them in their path to deceive. The Murdoch media outlets distribute misinformation widely and without social conscience. Cannot expect loyalty to country from a propaganda machine for the GOP and owned by An Australian expatriate and Saudi Prince. The sadest part of all this, is that 4th estate was intended by the founders to preserve the democracy from dictators and wannabe be kings. And the press has let the nation down, time and again by not doing its job. Freedom of the press is absolutely necessary for democracy to survive and the FCC which is supposed to protect us from oppressors has yielded to BIG MEDIA, BIG DOLLARS and lost sight of its primary mission to keep diversity and truth traveling across the public airwaves.

  • http://www.zazzle.com/talkingpoints NORBIT Jr.

    Forget Olbermann!

    Just breaking now, former WH Council C. Boyden Gray is running a congresional effort to VOID Medis Matters of its tax-exempt status. Gray has a plethora of evidence documenting MM’s political activism for the Democrats.

    Hey Soros & Media Matters…say hello to Van Jones and ACORN on your way down!!!

  • josecuervoisgood

    CarmanK said:
    … Freedom of the press is absolutely necessary for democracy to survive and the FCC which is supposed to protect us from oppressors has yielded to BIG MEDIA, BIG DOLLARS and lost sight of its primary mission to keep diversity and truth traveling across the public airwaves.

    And KO adds to the diversity of thought how? Your slap at Fox at times may be warranted but by implication to say a man who only has mirrors as guests is somehow adding diversity to the public airwaves is laughable.

  • Obeezy

    He should have a sidekick to spice things up. Maybe a monkey or a midget. Or a midget monkey!! Id even watch it than

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  • X-3

    sopal1953 said:
    I’m glad he’s back, but I don’t get Current. The problem with this move is that, unlike the major networks and even CNN and MSNBC, Current isn’t available everywhere. If Current wants to expand and have these types of programs, they need to reach more homes.

    You’re not missing anything…trust me.

    Perhaps the funniest thing so far about the -0verbite debacle is that some of the hype money went into the Fox coffers; today I saw THREE 30 second spots hyping “currant” TV and -0verbite’s new show. I have blocked “currant tv” on my remote to keep me from accidentally tuning into that station.

    From the preliminary reports, it would appear a lot of other TV viewers are hastening to avoid -0verbite’s tripe.

  • WildMan

    Uhhhh, does anyone really care how those two goofy, wacky, totally spaced out, ultra liberal, socialist commies did in the ratings? I mean both hoover around sewer level anyway. However, if you worship satan, hate everyone on planet Earth, enjoy kicking women and children, and are afraid of babies, then you would probably enjoy those two nutjobs.

  • X-3

    Has anyone wondered why Mediaite has failed to do a story on “Operation Fast & Furious?” You know, the operation where Eric Holder allowed thousands of guns to be purchased from US gunshops by the Mexican drug cartels, one of which was used to murder a US Border Agent?

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