Olbermann's price: Over $4 million

I don’t know whether to file this under good news or bad news, but today’s Broadcasting & Cable magazine is reporting that Keith Olbermann is demanding "north" of $4 million a year in his next contract with MSNBC. That would be a four-fold increase from his present $1 million per.

Olbermann is looking for such a big pay raise because Countdown has been on fire, playing a big part in the current audience uptick at the network. [...]
 
But MSNBC brass may have their hands tied on how much they can pony up for Olbermann. MSNBC parent NBC Universal has mandated $750 million worth of budget cuts across all divisions, and this is hardly a politic time to hand out a gargantuan raise.

 

Okay, it’s probably good news, but when two negotiating parties are "knocking heads" over a contract, they sometimes fail to reach an agreement. Not likely here; I’ve been reading elsewhere that Dan Abrams loves Keith (and his ratings), and this story reports that Keith loves the editorial freedom he has at his MSNBC gig. Can you imagine how much editorial freedom he’ll have once they are paying him a few million more?

Of course this is all about ratings. "In the key 25-54 demo, its ratings are up 25% year-to-date and an astounding 75% so far in the fourth quarter." Astounding. B&C also reports that CNN may be waiting in the wings if KO and MSNBC fail to reach an agreement.

•  Tip jar

  Thanks

  by forkush on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:20:24 AM PDT

  •  ATTN: MSNBC -- PAY THE MAN!

    I wanted this right at the top so that MSNBC can see it first thing when they check this diary out.

    PAY OLBERMANN WHATEVER HE WANTS!  

    Countdown is the only reason I even turn on MSNBC.  Sometimes I even leave it on to watch the beginning of Scarborough.  Without Keith, MSNBC would be nothing but a hack station parroting off the Bush press releases and giving Buchanan air time to spew nonsense.

    by Cato come back on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:47:21 AM PDT

•  I don't have a TV so...

  I'm ONLY watching the videos on the site. I don't miss them though.  Does that count?

  LOL... Go Keith!  We really need to invite him to YK!  Why not?  We're his biggest and brightest fans.  Gina???

  by victoria2dc on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:23:39 AM PDT

  •  I saw KO interview Kos once,

    in the end I thought he was dismissive to Kos.  If Kos saw it that way KO will never be invited.

    by makes you think on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:42:34 AM PDT

    •  I saw Kos both times

      he was on KO, first to introduce his blog and second to respond to the Lieberman claim of webhacking on primary day.

      Thing is, Kos wasn't ready for prime time (he's gotten better since, IMO).  He stuttered and repeated himself.  KO talks fast and smooth and is used to having eloquent guests.  I didn't exacly find him dismissive of Markos, but he wasn't particularly accomodating either.  I think that's fine.  Countdown is a fast-paced, snappy show.

      by Cream Puff on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 07:11:14 AM PDT

    •  So what?

      If Kos did have a problem with him he couldn't really prevent his booking at the convention.  Despite the name, Kos has almos no official say in the organizaion of yearlykos.  It's organized by other people and only named in honor of the site.  

      by maddogg on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 07:14:15 AM PDT

•  I was going to say CNN, Even Faux

  Why Faux?? Because there is nothing conservative about the rest of the Faux Broadcasting network. FX and Fox TV show most of the smut on right now. If there ratings  start slipping during this Democratic run they might have to drop some of these Repubs and throw Dems in there slots.  A few of these guys are going to switch tv parties

  by jkb246 on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:24:00 AM PDT

•  I'd love to see Keith on CNN

  He should come on right after Glenn Beck, to get those brain cells functioning again.

  by Kimball Cross on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:24:12 AM PDT

  •  Nah,

    He, or anyone else for that matter, should come on instead of Glenn Beck.  That putz needs to go back to whatever rock he crawled out from under.

    by Green Zombie on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:28:45 AM PDT

    •  Won't happen, Beck's ratings have been very good

      especially considering he's at Headline News.  

      by bosdcla14 on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 07:12:18 AM PDT

•  Olbermann will land on his feet...

  If MSNBC can' pony up, he'll go somewhere that can.

  by DrWolfy on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:24:33 AM PDT

•  What is Tweety and Tucker getting?

  I'd say that they're overpaid at any amount.

  MSNBC could cut their pay to get under budget and pay Olbermann his worth.

  by ROGNM on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:24:39 AM PDT

•  Pay The Man

  You think about all the money MSNBC has pissed away over the years paying Alan Keyes (who makes no sense), Mike Barnicle, Jesse Ventura, Jerry Nachman, Rita Cosby, Michael Savage, Maury Povich, Connie Chung. . .

  It would be insane to let KO go at this point. Finally, a guy who actually brings viewers to the network.

  And, for the record, I think Phil Donahue deserves another chance.

  by IndyScott on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:29:53 AM PDT

•  Fire Tucker

  Give that money to Keith!

  by meowmissy on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:31:41 AM PDT

  •  Really.

    George Will fashion falls from favor, Tucker drops the bow tie. He is in a no man's land. What's going to be his unique selling proposition? A stylist with a blow dryer?

    by Robert Davies on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:38:36 AM PDT

•  msnbc or cnn who cares

  If he goes to CNN he will get better exposure and bigger ratings. Maybe they can dump  Wolfie and  Keith can go up against tweety!They seem to give their people a lot of freedom. Look at Lou Dobbs and his nightly rants.

  by JOEL1954 on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:33:00 AM PDT

•  on second thought

  If he goes to CNN Keep him at 8:00 and dump Paula Zahn!  

  by JOEL1954 on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:35:33 AM PDT

  •  But Paula Fills in the Odd Hair-Dos Category

    It's CNN's example of text prompt readers, the 21st century style of media--after all, you want people to not only read the Rove talking points but talk them seriously, convincingly, after all as if it is all "news"--just as much as Britney Spears' latest antics of course (now, if only Britney would disappear on some island somewhere . . . )

    by norm on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:54:46 AM PDT

•  it would be a bargain for MSNBC

  Who else is going to drive ratings going forward???
  The other thing, (anecdotal)his show os popular among the older seniors I know and is seen as a twofer off Hardball.

  MSNBC would be fools to try and chisel him.

  Don't piss him off. Don't piss us off.

  The next year with Libby Abramoff Iraq etc they have the hottest property on TV News.

  by Robert Davies on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:35:46 AM PDT

  •  Misspell- *is popular with Seniors too

    It seems to pass muster with my disillusioned Reaganite in laws ....

    by Robert Davies on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:44:02 AM PDT

  •  Yeah, and MSNBC showed Their Intelligence Before.

    when they dumped their highest ratings getter at the time, Phil Donahue.

    by norm on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:55:57 AM PDT

    •  Under new management.

      Abrams:  we're waiting for you to dump Tucker and bring Phil back.  Waiting.  Waiting.

      by Cato come back on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:57:28 AM PDT

•  Another media millionaire - sigh

  I love Olbermann, but something is wrong with a culture that pays media figures millions of dollars a year.  Sorry, that's just unconscionable given how many ordinary people are struggling to get by.

  What kind of country is this?  (rhetorical question)

  by pundit on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:39:07 AM PDT

  •  it's showbiz, pundit!

    he's actually woefully underpaid compared to a utility infielder for the san diego padres

    by memofromturner on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:49:41 AM PDT

  •  I disagree.

    Because if people can TELL THE TRUTH and make a lot of money, we can then get rid of the liars who are now making all of the money.

    The slogan for the new century:  Truth pays.

    by Cato come back on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:52:47 AM PDT

  •  Nope

    The only reason MSNBC would pay him $4 mil is if he makes them $6 or 8 or 10 mil. There's nothng immoral about a smart business decision that hurts no one.

    by forkush on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:53:19 AM PDT

  •  I Can See It Now . . .

    Hannity, O'Reilly, etc. complaining about it while asking for even bigger deals of their own.  CBS will likely hope that Katie Couric does so--that way they can find their excuse for what's likely the inevitable.

    by norm on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:57:19 AM PDT

  •  A 400% raise

    seems like quite a demand.
    He's my favorite though and I hate to see him struggling at the paltry million a year they force him to live on now.

    How is worth determined? Media millionares aren't as bad as the crazy CEO salaries, but what makes someone's work worth a million or tens of millions or hundreds of millions.

    I hope Keith gets a hefty raise. I've been grateful to him but also that they let him be him. Not sure all networks would and that's my fear of him moving elsewhere.

    by joynow on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 07:03:28 AM PDT

    •  Only a 300% raise...

      ... in that he's already making 100% of what he's making.

      by tbetz on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 08:39:40 AM PDT

•  Keith Is All They Have

  His show is now MSNBC's signature program.  They don't have anything else and they have had a very bad time coming up with anyone who will watch the channel.

  He might not get $4 million, but I sense that a raise is in his future.

  by bink on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:39:41 AM PDT

•  they can help fund an investigative unit

  all around the success of his show.  It's MSNBC call but if they intend to be something other than a canned news channel they should negotiate in good faith and build on his show.  It would be lame to start from scratch, again.  
  Fox is going downhill, CNN is flayling,

  by gaspare on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:50:41 AM PDT

•  Speaking of ratings...

  How are Katie Couric's ratings and what is her salary?

  by count on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:50:51 AM PDT

  •  Katie has work to do.

    After 3 months in her anchor job, for a reported 5-year contract worth $15 million, Katie's not doing so well.

    First week of December

    NBC/Williams: 9,120,000 total/2,900,000 25-54
    ABC/Gibson: 9,000,000 total/2,920,000 25-54
    CBS/Couric: 7,450,000 total/2,260,000 25-54

    Ratings/share:

    NBC: 2.4/9
    ABC: 2.4/9
    CBS: 1.8/7

    November sweeps

    NBC/Williams: 9,568,000 total
    ABC/Gibson: 8,920,000 total
    CBS/Couric: 7,783,000 total

    Ratings for adults 25-54:

    NBC: 2.4
    ABC: 2.3
    CBS: 2.0

    Not that her and KOs numbers are comparable or that this is relevant to KOs negotiations.

    by count on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 08:18:49 AM PDT

•  pay him

  i only watch matthews and scarborough because they book end him.

  Take Tucker's salary, the man's a hack....libertarian my ass.  He's just afraid to admit that he supports an unpopular party.  Scarborough's far more palatable.

  by ksh01 on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:53:57 AM PDT

•  Keith deserves a medal

  and a raise... He spoke up when all else were quiet or forced to be quiet.  They are lucky to have him!

  by GUGA on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:54:05 AM PDT

•  good and bad news

  good news is it pays to be good.

  bad news would be a move to the Cunning Neocon Network.

  by essexgreen on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 06:55:15 AM PDT

•  CBS should

  dump their $15 million  a year ratings loser Katie Couric and hire Olbermann for $ 4 + million. Viewers who don't have cable and Olbermann come out ahead. Katie can count the money in her bank account

  by AnneElizabeth on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 07:01:45 AM PDT

  •  Yep 'Special Comments' on the Evening News

    Priceless!

    by deepsouthdoug on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 07:50:41 AM PDT

  •  can you provide substantiation for

    $15 million per year?

    How about $15 million over a 5 year contract? Lots of links for that.

    by count on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 08:14:29 AM PDT

•  They can pay FRIENDS boneheads $1m per episode?

  Keith is worth a lot more than that....but then again, i live in the reality-based community.

  by VoiceFromTheOuterWorld on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 07:13:52 AM PDT

•  Why Not A Big Raise?

  Olbermann is becoming the flagship of MSNBC. For all the attention Tweety gets in the mainstream press, Olbermann's delivering the viewers.

  Honestly, I see him changing networks before he gets this kind of coin out of GE, but let's see how it unravels.

  by jpspencer on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 07:20:59 AM PDT

•  Doesn't anyone read personal ads? Ask the moon

  because who knows, you might get it. There is zero chance of your getting what you don't ask for.

  The ad man Leo Burnett put it this way: "When you reach for the stars you may not quite get one, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either."

  by ticket punch on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 07:56:34 AM PDT

•  SHOW HIM THE MONEY!!!!!!!

  This reminds me of Babe Ruth's comment on why he gets paid more than the president.  His response " I had a better year that the President".

  by KeithCPA on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 09:22:35 AM PDT

•  I saw KO heading into 30 Rock on Friday

  at about 6pm.  (I was waiting for the elusive M5 bus.)  He was walking down 6th Avenue, listening to his iPod, wearing a suit jacket and tie, jeans and sneakers! Obviously, he only dresses for the show above the waist.  He was enjoying whatever it was he was listening to and looked like he didn't have a care in the world.

  If he took over from Katie, he'd have to wear suit pants and fancy loafers to go with the "above the desk" jacket. He'd have much less editorial control, and probably much less fun, than he does now.

  So my guess is that $4mm is just an opening salvo in a negotiation.  He deserves a big raise, I don't think he'll dig in his heels for the whole $4mm.

  P.S. I didn't accost him and tell me of my worship because (a) I was weighted down by Xmas packages; and (b) I told him of my worship several months ago when he sat at the table next to mine at a restaurant.  Don't want him to think I am stalking him!

  by litigatormom on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 12:50:01 PM PDT

  •  You are soooo lucky!

    But wise to hold back and give Keith his space.  We wouldn't want him to be afraid of his biggest fans!

    by Cato come back on Tue Dec 19, 2006 at 11:35:48 AM PDT