tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post1335592204768190830..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: Buh-Bye KeithGeorge Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-46394749216073475522011-01-23T12:10:03.693-05:002011-01-23T12:10:03.693-05:00Corky--I believe your comments are spot-on. Since...Corky--I believe your comments are spot-on. Since my post, another MSM article has suggested that Olbermann and his management team were pushing for a new deal with NBC and Comcast, on the heels of his recent suspension, and the cable company's take-over of the network. Talk about negotiating from a weak position. Makes you wonder if Olby and his new managers are really that stupid. <br /><br />Personally, I don't think Olby's nearly as bright as he believes, but his agents are among the best in the business. As I stated in the original post, I believe Olbermann is angling for the 8 pm slot at CNN, at a much higher salary--and that network is just desperate enough to meet his demands. <br /><br />A few weeks ago, the media world was abuzz with rumors that CNN's horrible "Parker-Spitzer" would be "fixed" with a new female co-host. Then, just as quickly, the rumors stopped. That would suggest the show is now doing much better in the ratings (which it isn't), or CNN already has a replacement in mind for the timeslot. Hellooo, Keith Olbermann. Sure, he has a non-compete, but it can probably be voided if NBC will allow him to go on CNN in the next six months (that will also save Comcast millions in severance pay).<br /><br />One more wild card in this equation: as far as I know, Glenn Beck has not resigned with Fox News and is still operating under the original deal signed back in 2009. That deal expires in 2012. While I fully expect Beck will re-sign with Fox, both MSNBC and CNN will make a run at him for the 8 pm slot. <br /><br />I fully expect Olby will surface on CNN later this year, as the replacement for Parker-Spitzer. Two or three years down the road, he'll be fired from there (again) and his career will be over for good. Mark your calendars.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-79298551893086310432011-01-23T01:05:55.619-05:002011-01-23T01:05:55.619-05:00Most likely the Comcast takeover of NBC played an ...Most likely the Comcast takeover of NBC played an important part of Olbermann's departure.<br /><br />Olbermann's rants were crony capitalist Jeffry Imelt's continuing gift to Obama and the Democratic party. His usefulness was over when GE was no longer in control of NBC. He was harmful to the NBC News brand, and I can't fathom any reason Comcast would want to keep him.<br /><br />Usually in takeovers all top level personnel under contract are reviewed by the purchaser. The balance of any contract is considered a liabilty that affects the final closing price. Usually it is in the best interests of the selling company to resolve the issue before closing, which was done here.<br /><br />Last November NBC had an opportunity to break Olbermann's contract, with no penalty, for violating the company rule of no contributions to political candidates. It appears that Olbemann's lawyers made it tough enough on GE that they backed down. The worst thing for both GE and Comcast would to be litigating the firing beyond final closing.<br /><br />Olbermann was probably being honest in saying he was resigning. Likely he was told he had no future with Comcast and it would be better to negotiate a buyout on terms he deemed favorable.<br /><br />Hopefully Comcast will clean up MSNBC's sleazy reputation.Corky Boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16363812378536729410noreply@blogger.com