Posted on 09/07/2008 6:33:59 PM PDT by flyfree
MSNBC tried a bold experiment this year by putting two politically incendiary hosts, Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews, in the anchor chair to lead the cable news channels coverage of the election.
That experiment appears to be over.
After months of accusations of political bias and simmering animosity between MSNBC and its parent network NBC, the channel decided over the weekend that the NBC News correspondent and MSNBC host David Gregory would anchor news coverage of the coming debates and election night. Mr. Olbermann and Mr. Matthews will remain as analysts during the coverage.
The change which comes in the home stretch of the long election cycle is a direct result of tensions associated with the channels perceived shift to the political left.
The most disappointing shift is to see the partisan attitude move from prime time into whats supposed to be straight news programming, said Davidson Goldin, formerly the editorial director of MSNBC and a co-founder of the reputation management firm DolceGoldin.
(Excerpt) Read more at drudgereport.com ...
“It’s the ratings, stupid!”
Thursday (McCain speech)
10 - 11:15 pm - total viewers
FOX NEWS - 9.2 million
NBC - 8.7 million
ABC: 6.0 million
CBS: 5.3 million
CNN - 4.8 million
MSNBC — 2.5 million
Wednesday (Palin speech)
10-11:15pm - total viewers:
FOX NEWS - 9.2 million
NBC - 7.7 million
CNN - 6.2 million
ABC - 5.9 million
CBS - 4.6 million
MSNBC - 3.4 million
Tuesday
10 pm hour - total viewers
FOX NEWS - 6.2 million
NBC - 4.5 million
CNN - 3.2 million
ABC - 3.1 million
CBS - 2.9 million
MSNBC - 1.6 million
Gettin better.
Were they fired outright or simply reassigned?
I never listen to MSNBC, but bet it will be so much better without Keith Overbite and Tingleupmyleg Mathews!
16 of the 30 people who watch msnbc are distressed.
Yes, I would certainly love to hear the rationale for this move.
Poor Keith “Countdown-to-no-ratings” Overbite.
I think you should commemorate this moment tomorrow with “Walkin’ Round in Women’s Underwear.”
All this tells me is that Olbermann and Matthews are dropped from anchoring coverage of the debates and election returns. They still get to keep their shows, I bet.
Its about time.
Matthews is running for Spector’s Senate seat anyway and Olbermann is a total jackass. Neither will be missed. If David Gregory can’t do better, send him packing too!
Who's going to make the sacrifice and check out the DUmmies reaction to the recent polls plus this good news? Whoever goes be sure to clean up with bleach and a wire brush before you come back here.
A Great Gnashing of Teeth can be heard coming from the DUmp...
One poster suggested they just simulcast Fox News, which may not be such a bad idea ;-)
Oh, but I often enjoy tuning into MSNBC out for a laugh here and there during the conventions.
Heh heh heh. What great news!
there’s a rumor that chrissie and keith might resign from PMSNBC and become community organizers.
our next freep will be to send fifths of alcohol to David Gregory prior to his debate coverage...
Man, that sucks!
I was looking forward to see their open misery on election night after Obama loses.
Reassigned.
Fired would be a much, much bigger story.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.