Voices From Above Silence a Cable TV Feud (Olbermann, O'Reilly Feud Ended Early June)

New York Times ^ | August 1, 2009 | Brian Stelter

[lbryce]

It was a media cage fight, televised every weeknight at 8 p.m. But the match was halted when the blood started to spray executives in the high-priced seats.

For years Keith Olbermann of MSNBC had savaged his prime-time nemesis Bill O’Reilly of the Fox News Channel and accused Fox of journalistic malpractice almost nightly. Mr. O’Reilly in turn criticized Mr. Olbermann’s bosses and led an exceptional campaign against General Electric, the parent company of MSNBC.

It was perhaps the fiercest media feud of the decade and by this year, their bosses had had enough. But it took a fellow television personality with a neutral perspective to help bring it to at least a temporary end.

At an off-the-record summit meeting for chief executives sponsored by Microsoft in mid-May, the PBS interviewer Charlie Rose asked Jeffrey Immelt, chairman of G.E., and his counterpart at the News Corporation, Rupert Murdoch, about the feud.

Both moguls expressed regret over the venomous culture between the networks and the increasingly personal nature of the barbs. Days later, even though the feud had increased the audience of both programs, their lieutenants arranged a cease-fire, according to four people who work at the companies and have direct knowledge of the deal.

In early June, the combat stopped, and MSNBC and Fox, for the most part, found other targets for their verbal missiles (Hello, CNN).

“It was time to grow up,” a senior employee of one of the companies said.

The reconciliation — not acknowledged by the parties until now — showcased how a personal and commercial battle between two men could create real consequences for their parent corporations. A G.E. shareholders’ meeting, for instance, was overrun by critics of MSNBC (and one of Mr. O’Reilly’s producers) last April.

[lbryce]

The messages hit nerves on both sides. Mr. Immelt remarked to MSNBC staff members last summer that he would “never forgive Rupert Murdoch” for Fox’s behavior, according to two people who were present. In private phone calls, the Fox News chairman, Roger Ailes, told NBC officials to end the attacks.
This article, as is all reports by the New York Times about conservative, right wing media, news organizations internet, follows the same format whereby references about them are made in a seemingly objective, calm, non-judgmental perspective, only to set you up by dropping some disjointed inexplicable comment, one that egregiously impugns the conservative source, without explanation,follow-up.
What "behavior" is it that Mr. Immelt won't forgive Mr. Murdoch for? The New York Times does not provide any background, prior reference to why Mr. Immelt feels so uncharitable towards Mr. Murdoch only portraying Mr. Murdoch of doing something "unforgivable". without ever telling us what he did.

It seems an absolutely decisive victory for Fox News.

[GOPJ]

The New York Times does not provide any background, prior reference to why Mr. Immelt feels so uncharitable towards Mr. Murdoch only portraying Mr. Murdoch of doing something "unforgivable". without ever telling us what he did.

Murdoch gave conservatives some air time - for a liberal - that's "unforgivable".

[FreepShop1]

Leprechaun 1, Overbite 0

[rom]

What’s an Olbermann?

[Beagle8U]

“What “behavior” is it that Mr. Immelt won't forgive Mr. Murdoch for?”

Stomping MSNBC’s guts out in the daily ratings?

[Armedanddangerous]

Olbermann is German for “cannot perform sexually for the ladies”

[CaptSkip]

“It was time to grow up,”...

It's impossible for the (adult)children of MSNBC to grow-up. For that matter, Liberals and 'Progressives' are defined by their childish tantrums over not getting their way 110% of the time.

O'Reilly is just a d*ck that has sold-out to try and be all things to all people to stay #1. Whatever.

The fact that this report of the 'truce' is in the NYTimes makes me wonder why I even read it.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Both men are a couple of losers who should have remained in their previous professions.

[olezip]

For years Keith Olbermann of MSNBC had savaged his prime-time nemesis Bill O’Reilly of the Fox News Channel and accused Fox of journalistic malpractice almost nightly. Mr. O’Reilly in turn criticized Mr. Olbermann’s bosses and led an exceptional campaign against General Electric, the parent company of MSNBC.

Who cares if trashy people talk trash to one another? I am little impressed by either of these shallow propagandists.

[mono]

Bill, Greta, Sean, Keith, Rachel, Larry.

I am sick of all of them. Rather watch rasslin or poker.

[1FreeAmerican]

You mean “D!#KLESS”.

[Brad from Tennessee]

[Charlie Rose asked Jeffrey Immelt, chairman of G.E., and his counterpart at the News Corporation, Rupert Murdoch, about the feud.]

Like his spiritual mentor, the late Mr. Rogers, Rose is regarded as “a bridge over trouble waters” in TV Land.

What an absurd crock of sh*t. Broadcast and cable news products are 80 percent commercial entertainment. The weekly “documentary” 60 MINUTES is a textbook example. Olbermann and O’Reilly employ theatrical techniques to manipulate their audiences and maintain ratings. Their feud is like the “feuds” in professional wrestling that lead to a “grudge match.” In stage comedy the Yiddish term is "shtick."

[BerryDingle]

Last night was really nice, O’Really wasn’t on and he had Laura Ingraham sitting in with Anne Coulter as a guest. I was in seventh heaven. Funny last week O’Really didn’t seem to have a problem with Lou Dobbs getting fired then I hear Michelle Malkin is Hannity’s guest on the same day.

[RedStateGuyTrappedinCT]

Last night was really nice, O’Really wasn’t on and he had Laura Ingraham sitting in with Anne Coulter as a guest.

Amen to that. I only watch The Factor when Laura is Hosting. I can't take BillO and his overinflated ego anymore.

[ozzymandus]

Charlie Rose has a “neutral perspective”?? Yeah, sure, just like Bill Moyers. Considering this is a NYT piece, I'd guess what it really means is that NBC was getting hurt and told Olberboy to STFU. Especially when Olbermann based his whole show on bashing O’Reilly and Fox News, and O’Reilly refused to even mention Olbie’s name.

I'm betting that when Uberboy gets back from the nut house, rehab, or wherever he's been, he won't be able to resist dropping O’Reilly’s name, as if O’Reilly doesn't drop his own name enough. His bragging, ignorance of common knowledge and weird sex obsession are becoming unwatchable.

[ozzymandus]

Charlie Rose has a “neutral perspective”?? Yeah, sure, just like Bill Moyers. Considering this is a NYT piece, I'd guess what it really means is that NBC was getting hurt and told Olberboy to STFU. Especially when Olbermann based his whole show on bashing O’Reilly and Fox News, and O’Reilly refused to even mention Olbie’s name.

I'm betting that when Uberboy gets back from the nut house, rehab, or wherever he's been, he won't be able to resist dropping O’Reilly’s name, as if O’Reilly doesn't drop his own name enough. His bragging, ignorance of common knowledge and weird sex obsession are becoming unwatchable.

[cubreporter]

You nailed it.

[Armedanddangerous]

Affirmative sir!

[shaft29]

for the ladies”? Did you leave out a d?