Current TV announced Friday afternoon that it has terminated the contract of Keith Olbermann, who was hired around a year ago in order to boost the channel’s ratings.
The New York Times obtained an excerpt from the letter written to Current viewers:
In a letter to viewers, the channel said Friday, “We created Current to give voice to those Americans who refuse to rely on corporate-controlled media and are seeking an authentic progressive outlet. We are more committed to those goals today than ever before. Current was also founded on the values of respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers. Unfortunately these values are no longer reflected in our relationship with Keith Olbermann and we have ended it.”
The show will be replaced by ‘Viewpoint’ with Eliot Spitzer, and it will begin tonight.
From Talking Points Memo:
According to a source familiar with the situation, Current decided to let Olbermann go because the progressive pundit “did not respect the viewers of Current.” The basis of his firing included, according to the source: “sabotaging the network” and attacking Current and its executives.”
“At the end of the day, Current made a decision, based on a strong legal foundation, that goes beyond merely business considerations – this decision was made because Olbermann was in breach of his contract and his conduct was simply not consistent with either mission of or the values of the company,” the source said.
Imagine, Olbermann is apparently not consistent with the values of the company, but Spitzer is.
https://twitter.com/#!/robertdsheridan/status/185838321677762560
https://twitter.com/#!/indecision/status/185837658336010240
https://twitter.com/#!/brandythief/status/185838569062019072
https://twitter.com/#!/RealMattKane/status/185838759227559936
So now that Olbermann has been employed and failed at several far-left networks, it’s time to find him a new career.
https://twitter.com/#!/RememberComeNov/status/185839654937964544
https://twitter.com/#!/daalad/status/185840359962705920
https://twitter.com/#!/ExJon/statuses/185843773060812801
https://twitter.com/#!/Stefan_MK1/status/185839537434537984
https://twitter.com/#!/Le_Gaul/status/185846039746588673
https://twitter.com/#!/debbieebb/status/185840375099961345
https://twitter.com/#!/plstepp/status/185838167872651264
https://twitter.com/#!/anthropocon/status/185839576898736128
Olbermann has decided to give his side of the story, as he put it, ‘140 characters at a time.’ Here it goes:
https://twitter.com/#!/KeithOlbermann/status/185842406984388610
https://twitter.com/#!/KeithOlbermann/status/185842602552201216
https://twitter.com/#!/KeithOlbermann/status/185842766578851840
https://twitter.com/#!/KeithOlbermann/status/185842881246928896
https://twitter.com/#!/KeithOlbermann/status/185843041377058817
https://twitter.com/#!/KeithOlbermann/status/185843113611366400
https://twitter.com/#!/KeithOlbermann/status/185843447054352387
https://twitter.com/#!/KeithOlbermann/status/185843570828263424
https://twitter.com/#!/KeithOlbermann/status/185843832859017217
https://twitter.com/#!/KeithOlbermann/status/185843921270751232
https://twitter.com/#!/KeithOlbermann/status/185843988832591872
Is everyone clear now? Didn’t think so.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member