NBC announced Monday that the broadcast network will greatly expand the potential audience for MSNBC's far-left nightly ranter Keith Olbermann, airing a live edition of his Countdown show this Sunday night at 7pm EDT/PDT, 6pm CDT, before a pre-season NFL game. TVNewser on Monday highlighted an August 20 NBC press release:
MSNBC's Keith Olbermann will bring his unique take on the day's events, from politics to pop culture, to a primetime network audience this Sunday night. A special edition of "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" will air on Sunday, August 26th at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT on NBC, leading into the network's "Sunday Night Football" pre-season NFL matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers, live at 8 p.m. ET. Olbermann is joining the network's "Football Night in America" studio team this season. The special edition of "Countdown" will be broadcast live from MSNBC's studios.
It sounds like a test to see how many viewers Olbermann's brand of left-wing harangues can capture in prime time on a real network, though maybe in his Sunday night broadcast debut he'll limit the politics and stick to his “Oddball” and celebrity segments. Given that the Football Night in America highlights show will air in the same time slot once the NFL season begins, we should at least be spared any further Sunday night airings of Countdown until after the NFL season ends.
The NBC.com schedule page still lists Dateline NBC as airing this Sunday night at 7pm EDT.
The press release trumpeted Countdown's second place finish weeknights at 8pm EDT on MSNBC:
"Countdown's" network debut comes on the heels of the program's stellar performance this year. According to Nielsen Media Research, the program attracted 721,000 viewers in July, up an incredible 88% over July 2006. "Countdown" continues to be the number two cable news program at 8 p.m. ET, beating CNN by a 20% margin for the year.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center




















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
I want to apologize to the
August 20, 2007 - 23:02 ET by wiwfI want to apologize to the NFL. I'm sorry their ratings will be low during the 1st quarter as people are ignoring this turd.
"Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage
morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested,
exiled, or hanged." -Abraham Lincoln
Hello Sports Fans
August 20, 2007 - 23:03 ET by allanfThis is a good follow up for the network which "determined" and delcared that Iraq was in a civil war.
NBC is confused. It is sports journalists who tend left, not sports fans.
What percentage of football
August 20, 2007 - 23:23 ET by maggieqpublicWhat percentage of football fans are aware of Olbermann’s Countdown rants? I would expect some rather dramatic topic changes on the Sunday program that will eventually allow Olbermann to transition from his weeknight hate-programming to Sunday night sports programming.
Some of us won't be watching.
Olberman Ball Footing NBC
August 20, 2007 - 23:48 ET by Lame CherryThis ought to go over large with viewers of the NFL. It is not bad enough we have to listen to that idiot Collinsworth trying to be smart like that idiot Howie Long, but now we get a MSNBC moment to force football fans to listen to a jerk like Olberman.
I could care less if Olberman had the number one cable show, because only pinheads watch his staged rants. The jerk sold his soul to get out of sports with the scam "I Keith will bash O'Reilly and Limbaugh therefore I am a superpower like the Soviet Union was against America".
I like Costas, I like Madden if he would actually do some football again and I like the good sports reporters they have on.......but I can not stand that pimple Tiki now that he is a Today boy and I will use the remote until this show is off.
I watch football to see football.......not fricking rock shows and not to see women on the sidelines who know nothing about football....and I am not talking about the cheerleaders.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
721,000 vs. O'Reilly's lowest at1,954,000
August 20, 2007 - 23:50 ET by PamAnd that was attributed to Bill taking 10 days off! Wasn't he already affilliated with football and not too popular?
How Disgraceful
August 20, 2007 - 23:55 ET by Noel SheppardBrent,
I'm speechless. America should be subjected to this lunatic before Sunday night football games? Wow. I really am speechless. ns
Olby: Occupation Flaming idiot
August 21, 2007 - 19:46 ET by ConservativeRexOlby IS a flaming idiot! And that is not to denigrate flaming idiots. I rarely watch football anymore, only Curt Gowdy could do football anyway. But this knucklehead has a show on a "major" network? He has got to have some photos of someone doing something...Honestly, he needs to be medically treated...well in one respect, these other flaming idiots on NBC are used to extremely low standards...remember the "Chevy truck gas tank explosions" <wink, wink> That is just about the time I quit watching ANY THING on network TV, even the local homicide report that passes for local news. So I say all that to say this: I hope NBC bleeds so much money they can not make it up,,I couldn't give a flip if they all went out of business...what do any of them carry that is of interest to us? Read a book instead..I recommend any by or about Theodore Roosevelt for a good start,
ns... You are
August 21, 2007 - 19:52 ET by bigtimerns...
You are speechless....
I am beyond outraged.
Unbelievable.
This will have to be a
August 21, 2007 - 00:14 ET by mlongThis will have to be a watered down KO..I
can’t see NBC letting him do his one sided,Daily Kos
inspired,Bush/O’Reilly bashing “news” type show on the main network.
*********** John Edwards '08 ***********
"More woman than Hillary,more black than Obama!"
Thank goodness I already
August 21, 2007 - 00:21 ET by Gary P JacksonThank goodness I already hate football!
NBC has just gone nuts, left wing, moonbat, nuts.
"Countdown's" network
August 21, 2007 - 00:29 ET by Tom1969caIn other words, he went from 0.13% of Americans listening to his BDS rantings to 0.24%.
Bravo, Keith! Bravo... (applauds mockingly)
(Note: was that 721,000 people every night, or a total of 721,000 over the 22 weeknights in July?)
~~~
Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.
- General H. Norman Schw
Buncha really bored kids on
August 21, 2007 - 02:31 ET by tracheostomyBuncha really bored kids on summer break?
-PJ
"Trake: Your lofty convictions are another blemish on the rump of congregational sectarianism." -Tumbler 5/15/07
Olbermann ratings
August 21, 2007 - 08:41 ET by SanityClauseBehind the hype, there are stats. Check out this link that shows how Bathtub Boy's ratings have plateaued since October of last year (ignore the Zahn data):
http://www.mediabist...
Do we get halftime video of
August 21, 2007 - 00:43 ET by Right2thePointDo we get halftime video of Mike Vick tying him to a rape post?
Of course without the big smile.
Now I've got you wondering which, if any or both or either are smiling.
Thats just simply a modern dilema.
MSNBC is surely trying to
August 21, 2007 - 01:33 ET by AvatarMSNBC is surely trying to justify this clown hard. I don't think the Lord Jesus Christ could increase his ratings any more. I saying jumps to mind, something about beating a dead horse...
The Avatar
Polarizing Divisive figure
August 21, 2007 - 01:42 ET by Daniel BakerHe takes some out of context quote everyday, and labels the person who said it the Worst person in the world. This is an evil hateful person.
If I could get on that
August 21, 2007 - 02:33 ET by tracheostomyIf I could get on that board, I'd wear it like a badge of honor.
-PJ
"Trake: Your lofty convictions are another blemish on the rump of congregational sectarianism." -Tumbler 5/15/07
Well guess I'll miss
August 21, 2007 - 01:51 ET by well99Well guess I'll miss football sunday night.I am a big football fan but since NBC feels the need to put KO on before it.I think I will just skip the game.
I'm happier and happier
August 21, 2007 - 16:24 ET by TheDeuceI'm happier and happier with my decision to get the NFL HD package from Direct TV this season....all in a glorious, testoterone-laden 60" of 1080p goodness, without having to endure the ramblings that eminate from the piehole of Keebler Offalman.
And the point of this is.......
August 21, 2007 - 04:58 ET by motherbelt??????????
I suspect it's a ruse to tap into those viewers who just turn on the TV way ahead of time, to the channel the game will be on. Then they can claim those "accidental" viewers as a huge spike in his ratings. They ought to specify how many of them are actually listening to or watching him (do a survey the next day.)
Maybe the next attempt to increase his viewership will be to air snippets of his show between plays.
BDS must also stand for
August 21, 2007 - 05:18 ET by jpm100BDS must also stand for Bloody Darn Stupid.
NBC Reward/Punishment System
August 21, 2007 - 05:48 ET by ThisnThatClearly this is a reward for oberman, and punishment for NFL fans. Wonder who came up with this brainchild?
BTW, is the oberman show still being televised?
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
It’s another one of those
August 21, 2007 - 05:53 ET by USA4freedomIt’s another one of those where do you start with this.
I ran a bar for 15 years, people did not come in to hear my
rants on politics, if that would happen I would loose my customer base. Does
ANYONE AT NBC GET IT?????
People watch football (drum roll please) to watch football.
They don’t want to hear how their wife’s day went, how Jr.’s day in school was,
or this pile of human waste babble on about who pissed him off today.
I wrote a letter when I hear them put “Doberman” on NBC
football. That did a lot of good...
I love Rush, I’m in Rush 24/7 but I like my football
political free. If for noting else, to give my mind a break from politics.
This is the “perfect example” of how the left in MSM tries
to jam this crap up our a$$.
What are we going to get the Worlds 10 Worse plays??
I agree with a few of the post here, he is going to tone it
waaaaaay back! I bet we wont
hear I hate Bush for say.. 30 seconds rather than: Hi, I’m Keith Doberman, I
hate Bush..
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc.
Ronald Reagan- 40th Anniversary of D-Day
Don't watch Football on NBC
August 21, 2007 - 07:29 ET by Wolf PanglossThe choice is clear. Don't watch football on NBC this Sunday. Let advertisers know it and know why.
Pregame on ESPN
August 21, 2007 - 07:32 ET by Cool ArrowGet the scoop from Jaws. He'll let you know when its kickoff time. And I'm a Cowboys fan. Does that tell you anything Dolberman?
~LYDSEXICS UNTIE!~
Stellar performance? I
August 21, 2007 - 07:47 ET by rimskyStellar performance? I thought Olbie was barely getting by in the ratings. Surely these numbers are twisted in some way to make it look sooo good.
}}---> Above
August 21, 2007 - 07:57 ET by Cool ArrowThink it through. It's the perfect audience.
Sunday night church evangelicals aren't home and the pregame show is on ESPN. Who's left.
Please tell me you're not going to TIVO Olbie.
~LYDSEXICS UNTIE!~
There are more people
August 21, 2007 - 07:54 ET by Jack BauerThere are more people watching traffic CCTV right now than watch Obermaniac.
Another stellar decision of
August 21, 2007 - 08:19 ET by dscottAnother stellar decision of network broadcast executives determined to sink NBC just a little faster than projected. Works for me, can't wait for the day when NBC goes belly up, now it's just that much closer. BTW- what program will Countdown be competing against during this time slot???
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. Marcus Aurelius
Waiting for Football
August 21, 2007 - 08:55 ET by Free StinkerAiring Keith Olberdolt before a football game . . . they will get more accidental viewers ("Leave it on! The game's on next") than intentional ones.
Kind of reminds me of NBC on Thu at 9:30pm back when Seinfeld was still on the air. Leah Thompson had a new show called "Caroline in the City". The TV guide review was titled "Waiting for ER" . . .
Fred Thompson and Ann Coulter walk into a bar. The bar is instantly destroyed because that much awesome cannot be contained in one building.
}}---> Olbie
August 21, 2007 - 09:00 ET by Cool ArrowMaybe they can break in with a rerun of "Heidi" while Keith's in full rant.
~LYDSEXICS UNTIE!~
Gee, Maybe they could
August 21, 2007 - 10:23 ET by longriderGee,
Maybe they could cancel the football and have dogfights. I would
not watch them either. though.
Dogfights
August 21, 2007 - 10:26 ET by Cool ArrowBrought to you by Vicks Vapo Career
~LYDSEXICS UNTIE!~
Maybe he can take his "Worst
August 21, 2007 - 11:44 ET by danybhoyMaybe he can take his "Worst person in the World" bit & turn it into something like the worst plays of the week. Since BathTubBoy is only into what he sees as the worst, he should stick to that theme when he goes onto NBC's NFL studio show. I do think he'll turn people off in a manner similar to Limbaugh when he was on ESPN.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
You have to be kidding
August 21, 2007 - 12:05 ET by bigtimerYou have got to be kidding me!
Surely you jest Mr. Baker....
Say it ain't so...
Please!!!
I am beggin' ya here....
NFL Football is my favorite sport to watch in the fall winter...always has been...may not be anymore.
I am sickened by this outrageous disgusting decision...
Tripe and pure communistic leftist looney-bin spewing from this despicable POS before football....
Someone needs to be fired if not hung immediately!
Ratings killer
August 21, 2007 - 13:11 ET by nkviking75If any football fans stumble on to this jerk and then realize that Olbermutt will be part of the regular football broadcasts, ol' Keef could put a serious dent in NBC's football ratings all season long.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Far left ranter? Give me a
August 21, 2007 - 13:42 ET by Chidi NwachukhuFar left ranter? Give me a break poindexter.
Yeah, right, he's a "centrist"
August 21, 2007 - 13:54 ET by RJ...just like Hillary.
I am betting you have never
August 21, 2007 - 15:23 ET by Chidi NwachukhuI am betting you have never actually seen his show.
so what if he hasn't? you
August 21, 2007 - 15:26 ET by TruthMongerso what if he hasn't? you can read about it here. I've seen it and the NB threads about it are spot on...
You would be wrong once again...
August 21, 2007 - 15:28 ET by RJ...not that it would have anything to do with it. There's enough on him in the media and in print to understand his POV.
Not only have I watched his show, but I emailed him awhile back when he had an interactive blog (don't know if he still has it), with a friendly suggestion. I said if he wanted people to take him seriously he should stop his habit of being a snide and small-minded Grammar Nazi over minor typos. He didn't answer me, but he stopped doing it.
He's a narrow-minded, far-left loon, and is no more a centrist than Hillary.