Logo

Bad News for Keith Olbermann

Aug 11, 2011  •  Post A Comment

Keith Olbermann, struggling to regain a foothold in cable talk with his fledgling “Countdown” show on Current, got some bad news in the ratings, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Ratings for the show hit an all-time low last week in the key 25-54 demographic, averaging just 85,000 viewers. That was down 2% from the previous week. Numbers were up 5% in total viewers, with an average of 208,000.

The show debuted in June with an average of 131,000 viewers in the 25-54 demo for the week, and 354,000 total viewers, but has since leveled off.

Still, the numbers represent an improvement for Current over pre-Olbermann levels, and channel co-founder and CEO Joel Hyatt had a positive take on the results. Noting that Current is available in only 58 million homes, while CNN is in more than 100 million and MSNBC reaches more than 95 million, Hyatt said: “The only way you can characterize those numbers is outstanding.”

“People can’t watch us,” Hyatt added. “People can watch CNN if they choose to do so in 73 percent more homes than they can if they choose to watch Current. It’s an amazing disadvantage. But notwithstanding, we’re fully competitive with CNN. In the seven weeks since we’ve gone on the air there have been many nights where in the demo there are more [viewers] watching Current than watching CNN. It is mind-boggling. The percentage increase over what we had on before will break your calculator. We’re off to a terrific start. And we’re just beginning.”

6 Comments

  1. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Maybe he can look for a job on the Hate Channel.
    Every decent channel has fired him.

  2. Time for us to read Joel Hyatt’s mind. “Let’s see. Now how can I try to spin this disaster into sounding like it’s a real plus. I’ve already spent lots of money on Olbermann and can’t admit he’s numbers keep getting worse and worse each week. Only thing left is to lie and deny.”

  3. More people would see Olbermann if he was standing in middle of desert.lets see how this prick spins it.

  4. Obviously you, like the other posters here so far, know NOTHING of how ratings and demo’s work in regard to the possible maximum audience reach. Comparing the numbers of viewers, in and out of ‘target’ demo, to cable nets with nearly TWICE as many possible viewers…Well, Current’s “Countdown” numbers are nothing short of remarkable. Let’s check back in six months or so and see where things stand.

  5. I for one respect the guy for many things: standing for the rule of law against the bush war crimes, apologizing when he goes over the top, his respectful even affectionate coverage of the death of Tony Snow, his ability to heist on their own petards the right wing commentators, his acknowledging Glenn Beck’s sincere condolences during Olberman’s father’s last illness. and for being bright. I think he and Chris Matthews are the brightest of the current crop. I for one wish he’d get back on NBC or somewhere.

  6. I LOVE KEITH’S SHOW AND I WATCH IT SEVERAL TIMES A DAY ALL THE TIME. I ALSO WATCH CURRENT TV WHICH I NEVER WATCHED BEFORE KEITH GOT THERE. I HAVE SOME FRIENDS THAT ARE AVID KEITH FANS BUT CANNOT GET CURRENT TV AT ALL. I TOLD THEM TO SWITCH CARRIERS.

Leave a Reply to Rose Cancel Reply

Email (will not be published)