Keith Olbermann Could Boost Ratings for Current TV Tenfold: Analyst

[Playinghardball]

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

The channel’s current average primetime viewership draws about 23,000.

Industry analysts on Tuesday said the addition of Keith Olbermann will help put Current TV on the map in terms of programming, ratings and increased carriage opportunities.

Wunderlich Securities analyst Matthew Harrigan predicted that Olbermann's return to the TV screen would mean "a huge impact on ratings" at the network. He estimated that the current average primetime viewership in the 20,000-30,000 range could multiply ten-fold or even more. "Keith Olbermann obviously was the man who made MSNBC, and he has got a very loyal audience," Harrigan said. "This is huge for Current."

Read more at: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/keith-olbermann-boost-ratings-current-97367

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. well I am going to go to my cable provider

to see what package has current. I intend to have current when Keith goes on the air.

[YvonneCa]

3. TW Cable in L.A. has it...

...on Channel 142. I don't know about the other providers.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. They do, but I need to see what package, we have a

really basic, package.

[YvonneCa]

22. I know what you are saying. TWC puts...

..C-Span 2 and 3 on their most expensive tier. They (and Cox) probably do the same with Current TV.

[YvonneCa]

2. "This is HUGE for Current" ...

...Yes, it is. :)

[meegbear]

5. Considering the crap they show now ...

I mean SuperNews is good a few laughs, but InfoMania is about as funny as leukemia (I guess it's hip with the fauxhemian crowds).

Last weekend, they were showing Scarface. What happened to all the 'podcasts' those hip iUsers were supposed to flood the network with?

Keith is gonna do a lot for this channel, but they better get their head outta their asses if they want to be the force they want, and can, be.

[movonne]

9. Maybe he can bring some other lefties on..like maybe hartman,shuster, etc..

[Tx4obama]

11. And Rachel, Cenk, Sam Seder, Rick Sanchez, RoseAnne Barr, etc. n/t

[GoCubsGo]

12. And, Aaron Brown.

I miss him. I think he'd do well there, too.

[Greybnk48]

36. I really miss Aaron Brown too.

I'd love to see him come back!

[grasswire]

40. God, yes.

I love Aaron Brown. He allowed me to deal with September 11, on that day itself. His professionalism was an anchor.

[Dappleganger]

65. Rick Sanchez?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[GoCubsGo]

72. Maybe he/she meant Farheed Zakaria?

I'd love to see him there. Sanchez, not so much.

[Dappleganger]

76. Zakaria, definitely.

Sanchez isn't a journalist, he's a news disseminator.

[trumad]

71. Sanchez?

Is that a Brain Fart?

[Dappleganger]

77. *snort*

:toast:

[cleanhippie]

13. Great idea! Would love to see Thom Hartman!

[chillspike]

54. I guarantee

anything Current shows now is better than Lock Up. :P

[PBS Poll-435]

67. The Rude Pundit is as fun as Gonorrhea

[DainBramaged]

6. Cablevision doesn't carry it, but they made M$NBComcast premium anyway

[DrDan]

7. YIPPEE - our current package includes CURRENT! Can't wait

[uncommon]

8. Current rules - I'm sure their viewership is low, but it should get higher. They have a ton of

really excellent programming.

[Pab Sungenis]

10. Let's consider.

Olbermann was getting a little over a million viewers a night when he quit. And that doesn't count online streaming or podcasting.

MSNBC is in about 85% of households in America. Current is in 75%. That means that about 875,000 of Olbermann's MSNBC audience will be able to watch the new show if they choose.

Always assume that 30% of your old audience isn't going to bother to find you in your new location. I say that as someone in broadcasting for 20 years who has seen more than his share of people jumping ship to disaster. So his potential audience should be expected at a little over 600,000.

Next, assume that 10% of the potential audience is pissed at you for switching channels/stations. This is no longer seen as Keith being fired, which would gain him sympathy, but his moving by choice. Let's say 550,000 people now.

And then expect a quarter of those to drop off after your debut in the new location. Unless your new product is significantly improved over the old one (like Howard Stern's jump to Sirius improved his show over his old over-the-air gig). By my math, that means that Olbermann can probably expect about 400,000 viewers at Current.

Depending upon who he takes that 400K from, Olbermann will certainly outpull CNBC, and may outpull Parker/Spitzer (currently at 490,000). He will certainly cut into LO'D's numbers, probably dropping Lawrence to third behind Nancy Grace (currently at 600K).

And since Current is currently drawing about 23,000 people in an average time period, I think he will certainly increase their numbers more than ten-fold.

[spin]

14. MSNBC probably has a morale problem ...

I would never work for them as a newscaster. I wonder if other hosts will leave MSNBC to join Olbermann.

[cleanhippie]

15. Does Current TV broadcast in HD?

We do have Current TV on the Comcast lineup, but only in SD format. :puke: (for low-def)

[Flubadubya]

37. I think not...

I have the upper tier level of DishNetwork service and Current is there but not in HD. It is not available in HD with this service and, thus, I suspect it is not availbale in HD at all. Otherwise, it would be in my package. Sorry. :(

[ProgressiveProfessor]

17. It clearly can not hurt their market share, but can they affort him?

[Pab Sungenis]

23. Keith doesn't need the money.

He might find creative control more important than salary.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

24. IIRC some of his issues with MSNBC were over compensation

And in the entertainment biz, $$$ always matter

[chillspike]

57. More viewers means more advertisers

a little more money in Current Tv's pocket could translate to a gradually larger compensation for Keith.

[NotThisTime]

27. If I'm not mistaken he has gotten an equity stake in addition to whatever money they are paying

[ProgressiveProfessor]

34. Equity in lieu of $$$ is what I expected as well

[Cal33]

46. I think he is entering as a partner. So I don't think there's a problem.

[KamaAina]

20. Is Current really "in" 75% of households?

Or is it just available to 75% -- on a premium tier that not everybody has, unlike MSNBC which is in the standard package in all but a few (mainly Comcast :grr: ) locations?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

25. I have never seen it even listed, but will look for it. I do not have TV at home

[Renew Deal]

16. Not sure about that one.

They're basing it on the fact that every person in his old audience will watch him. But MSNBC has a nice spot in the cable lineup. Many people don't get Current and many more don't know where to find it. It's also typically on a high channel that no one watches.

[Tx4obama]

18. The intellect of Keith's viewers is pretty high, everyone will find the new channel.

1) All you have to do is find the channel number on your TV.
2) Program it as a favorite on your remote.

Here in Houston MSNBC is channel #80
Current TV is #107
not much difference ;)

The folks that can't find Current TV are probably FoxNews viewers anyway!

[Renew Deal]

19. MSNBC probably gets a number of passive viewers

People that have it on because it's MSNBC. And a lot of people just don't get Current. It's not about the intelligence of his viewers.

On the other hand, Olbermann has a much lower bar of success now. His ratings were OK for MSNBC. His Current ratings will be huge for Current. And then... will he get the guests he used to get? There's a huge difference between NBC News and his million+ viewers and Current with on the high side is 233K.

[Tx4obama]

21. But the thing is ...

TONS of folks will be switching to Current TV
especially if they have a whole new prime time line up.
And where Current TV is not yet available just watch how many locations are added before Keith's show premieres ;)
Keith will still get the guests he used to get - he is Keith Olbermann!

Come on and cheer up - today is an awesome day :)

[NotThisTime]

28. Not only does he have a new show but he's head of the news department that tells me there's more to

come as far as personnel....

[Renew Deal]

79. I read that there's only a 13 million "subscriber" difference between MSNBC 2003 and Current today.

That's not too bad.

[chillspike]

58. Current Tv is channel 358 on my Direct Tv

that's only 2 channels up from MSNBC on my cable box. Fox News is 360. Current Tv is smack in the middle. Perfect spot for a new fourth news channel powerhouse. :)

[Renew Deal]

78. That's good news.

It gives them a shot. Hopefully it doesn't change on Newscorp owned DirecTV.

[chillspike]

80. Wha...

What? News Corp owns Direct Tv?

OMGOOOOOOOD!!!!!!! GET IT OFF ME!!!!!

[Renew Deal]

81. Yup

"In 2003, a merger with EchoStar, owner of Dish Network, fell through. On December 22, 2003, General Motors sold controlling interest in Hughes Electronics to News Corporation, forming the DirecTV Group. Certain conditions exist, however, in that News Corp must solve disputes with companies that carry its broadcast and cable channels. The corporation must treat all stations equally, not favor the Fox Network and FX."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirecTV

[lunatica]

26. http://current.com/

http://current.com/

[Tx4obama]

31. Here's a link below to Keith's page at Current TV

http://current.com/keith-olbermann/

[grasswire]

41. be sure, everyone, to sign up at that link for the newsletter or twitter feed

Start getting some feedback to current to show how happy we are.

[gauguin57]

29. I'm afraid Kabletown ... er ... Comcast will never let me see it.

At least not on the Comcast tier I can afford (and no, I can't have a dish at my apt. building, so that's out).

Yeah, I know. I can watch it on the Web.

[lonestarnot]

53. Bug the fuck outta them.

[starroute]

30. We have Current in our lineup and never realized it

I guess there was never anything gripping enough to make us pause as we flipped around.

Having Keith there will definitely raise our awareness of the channel and make us more inclined to check out its other offerings.

[oldlib]

32. I am looking forward to Keith on Current TV.

I am in LA County and subscribe to DISH. Current TV is labeled CURNT and found on channel 196.

[lunatica]

33. I miss his Friday reading of Thurber

I really enjoyed him reading!

[Dappleganger]

45. As do I!

[madokie]

35. I wonder if current is on dish?

anyone know

[Tx4obama]

38. Here's a full listing of channels

Current is now available via cable and satellite TV in 75 million households worldwide – 60 million households in the US – through distribution partners Comcast (Channel 107); Time Warner ; DirecTV (Channel 358 nationwide); Dish Network (Channel 196 nationwide); Verizon and AT&T. In the UK and Ireland, Current is available on BSkyB (Channel 183) and Virgin Media (Channel 155), and in Italy, Current is available on Sky Italia (Channel 130). Viewers can also find Current online at www.current.com .

[madokie]

43. Thank you very much

[Tx4obama]

44. You're welcome :) n/t

[Codeine]

39. That could mean as many as twenty viewers!

I kid. Current is great -- I love the Vanguard documentary series.

[Kingofalldems]

42. Freepers won't like this one

K and R

[Egalitariat]

50. I doubt it. Current TV now goes from "completely irrelevant" to "almost completely irreleavant"

And still nobody knows how to actually watch it on their TV.

[lonestarnot]

55. What are you talking about? "Nobody knows how to watch it on their TV?"

It's not on yet. :crazy:

[ClassWarrior]

60. Yeah! Them newfangled teevee thangs are plum confusin'!

:hi: you!

NGU.

[lonestarnot]

63. What is NGU?

:hi:

[ClassWarrior]

68. It means...

...Never Give Up. Thanks for asking.

NGU.

[Tx4obama]

64. Here's a full list of Current TV channel numbers

Current is now available via cable and satellite TV in 75 million households worldwide – 60 million households in the US – through distribution partners Comcast (Channel 107); Time Warner ; DirecTV (Channel 358 nationwide); Dish Network (Channel 196 nationwide); Verizon and AT&T. In the UK and Ireland, Current is available on BSkyB (Channel 183) and Virgin Media (Channel 155), and in Italy, Current is available on Sky Italia (Channel 130). Viewers can also find Current online at www.current.com .

[StarsInHerHair]

47. I don't even know if I have Current tv....I think it's a bad move for him

sort of like Dan Rather, I've not been able to find him either. Does Comcast have a ban on Current channel?

[lonestarnot]

56. No, no it's not!

[StarsInHerHair]

61. Comedy Central would be a better choice, Current gets 70 million viewers?

hell, The Walking Dead on AMC gets 3-5 million watches all by itself. 70 million is just twice the population of California

[lonestarnot]

62. I'm sure that is going to swiftly increase.

[GoCubsGo]

74. Yep. Keith had something like 2 million viewers.

The vast majority will follow him to Current TV one way or another.

[StarsInHerHair]

82. it's not even listed on my "guide", he should perhaps be on both Current

and Comedy Central.

[Tx4obama]

66. Comcast owns a 10 percent stake in Current TV

And Comcast carries Current TV.

Current is now available via cable and satellite TV in 75 million households worldwide – 60 million households in the US – through distribution partners Comcast (Channel 107); Time Warner ; DirecTV (Channel 358 nationwide); Dish Network (Channel 196 nationwide); Verizon and AT&T. In the UK and Ireland, Current is available on BSkyB (Channel 183) and Virgin Media (Channel 155), and in Italy, Current is available on Sky Italia (Channel 130). Viewers can also find Current online at www.current.com .

[B Calm]

48. I'll do my part and TIVO every show!

[Egalitariat]

49. Too bad. If he could boost it 1,000 fold, then I might have a chance to see him

I have no idea how you get to watch Current TV, but I know it's not one of the 1,000 channels I get on my current cable package.

[GoCubsGo]

59. Do what those of us who don't have cable did when he was on MSNBC.

Watch it on line. You can watch all of Current TV's programming on their web page. I'm told they also have their own YouTube page.

[chillspike]

51. Could we see a fourth cable news powerhouse on the rise?

I hope Keith turns Current Tv into a fourth cable news powerhouse. Current Tv certainly has a great name for one! How about, CNC? Current News Channel? I like it already!

[lonestarnot]

52. When I called my provider the dude got all excited.

:D

[Change Happens]

69. Easily too....Based on the comments I have seen on the Twitter and other blogs,

Current is about to move into the major leagues...

[Mudoria]

70. Channel 413 for Charlotte, NC area viewers on TWC.

[Imagevision]

73. Not if MSNBC has a say in it...

[oldlib]

75. I was not aware of Current TV

until I heard that Keith would join them. I have looked at it since that time and I am not impressed. The addition of Keith will be an immeasurable improvement and I look forward to that day.

[Major Hogwash]

83. True that, but you have to be careful how you pronounce analyst.

Or else it makes us all look anal-retentative.

I'm not an analyst, but I kind of figured that Olbermann could boost their ratings by 12fold.
But, what the hell do I know?

Yet I will say this much, if Keith were here today, he could be grand marshall of the parade.
He's just that popular.
Now, we don't have a parade scheduled very soon in the near future.
But, I'm sure that if we did, he'd be considered for that position.