Posted on 06/03/2008 5:25:23 PM PDT by Laverne
Tonight may be the last of the primaries, but the discussion of the cable news coverage will no doubt continue for months to come. MSNBC has bore the brunt of much of the criticism, from a candidate, a competitor, and many voices in between. Now, TVNewser speaks with a high level source inside MSNBC, who sheds light on some of the inside rumblings.
> Update: NBC News SVP and MSNBC exec in charge Phil Griffin responds...
MSNBC has drawn criticism from pundits from both parties, other journalists and the White House, for the perceived, and often obvious, leftward shift of their lead political anchors Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann.
"Every Tuesday night Keith is up there as the face of NBC News. That's a problem," says our source. "[Tim] Russert is upset about it. Russert has spent 20 years building credibility. All of a sudden he's taking questions from Keith Olbermann, the Daily Kos blogger?"
The insider says Olbermann's election night partner has reservations as well: "Chris Matthews is quite pissed about it. He knows a lot about politics and he takes it seriously. He's so close to it that he's not that political. He's not an activist — Keith's an activist. That's the difference."
Asked for a response, an MSNBC spokesperson tells TVNewser, "Your source is ill-informed and the assertions are laughable."
With the primaries finished, the focus moves to the general election. "What's it going to be like in the general election now that everyone knows we're the in-house network of Barack Obama?" asked our insider.
"There's a huge difference between rooting for one side in a Democratic primary, and another one to take sides in a general election and go out and openly root for a candidate. You can't do that," said the insider. "You think Russert is going to put up with that? Election night coverage in November with Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann?
"The key is his willingness to quit," says our source about Olbermann. "And he means it. He has convinced management of that. They are convinced that he will walk. He behaves like a man who has nothing left to lose. He is not central to MSNBC, he is the center of the MSNBC ratings strategy. We hang the entire schedule on him."
What about Olbermann blogging now at The Daily Kos? "That's insane," says the insider. "If he was writing long pieces for The Atlantic, or The New Republic, it's different. It's partisan, is what it is. It's also just low and stupid."
Still the insider sees the move to the left as a successful short term strategy. Countdown with Keith Olbermann has been the highest rated program in all of cable news in the A25-54 demo four times during the last two weeks.
"There's a very large untapped market of liberal TV viewers," says the insider. "It's probably smart in the short term. Fox has succeeded because there are a lot of alienated conservatives who thought no one was speaking for them. All of a sudden there are huge numbers of liberals who feel the same way."
> Update: NBC News SVP Phil Griffin tells TVNewser, "Whoever you're talking to knows nothing, it's that simple. MSNBC has offered the most interesting election coverage this season and the audience is responding. We're thrilled that Tim Russert chooses to be part of that coverage. If your source doesn't, they should leave."
"Russert Has Spent 20 Years Building Credibility. All Of A Sudden He's Taking Questions From [A] Daily Kos Blogger?"
The title I quoted is from NRO, media blog.
I hope that is OK to do it that way.
Olbermann is the MSNBC Flagship whether they like it or not. They need to get him out of the HOST chair for sure. Include him as color commentrator or analyst but being HOST changes the game.
I am surprised to read that Mathews is pissed off.
Its not like he is able to hide his own bias. He is as pro-Obama as they come.
He's not political!?! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Riiiight...
That's hard to believe...
“Countdown with Keith Olbermann has been the highest rated program in all of cable news in the A25-54 demo four times during the last two weeks.”
What?
Is MSNBC providing a stream for tonights coverage?
Of course Spitboy isn’t an activist, they’re far more objective than him.
Pray for W and Our Troops
I have the solution to all their problems. The public should stop watching MSNBC. When the network loses enough money, the board of directors will step in and straighten them out. Very simple.
Chrissie Matthews is feeling a different kind of vibrations in his other leg, poor fellow.
Everyone talks about the "NBC" in MSNBC. I'd like to remind folks the "MS" in MSNBC is Microsoft. I'm going to be remembering when it's time to buy my next computer.
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