Keith Olbermann to Join Current TV

NEW YORK: After having served as host of Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC for the past eight years, the eponymous political commentator is headed to Current TV to front a new nightly prime-time news show, which he will also executive produce.

In addition to his new hosting and executive producing duties, Olbermann will serve as Current’s chief news officer and will have an equity stake in Current Media. The TV and digital media company was founded in 2005 by Al Gore and Joel Hyatt and reaches more than 75 million households around the world. Olbermann’s new show on Current TV will air live weeknights in prime time starting later in 2011.

"Nothing is more vital to a free America than a free media, and nothing is more vital to my concept of a free media than news produced independently of corporate interference," said Olbermann. "In Current Media, Al Gore and Joel Hyatt have created the model truth-seeking entity. The opportunity to partner with Al, Joel and Mark Rosenthal makes this the most exciting venture in my career."

"Keith Olbermann is a gifted thinker, an amazing talent and a powerful communicator, and having him tap Current as his new home is exciting and very much in line with the core vision we founded this network on: To engage viewers with smart, provocative and timely programming," commented Gore, the chairman and co-founder of Current. "In a world where there are fewer and fewer opportunities to hear truly distinct, unfettered voices on television, we are delighted to provide Keith with the independent platform and freedom that Current can, and does uniquely offer."

"Keith Olbermann is one of our society’s most courageous talents," added Hyatt, the executive vice chairman and co-founder of Current. "He speaks truth to power. He calls them as he sees them. He speaks his mind. Our society needs his kind of thoughtful analysis and commentary. Keith Olbermann is not afraid of dissenters. In his long and impressive career, he has developed a massive following of intelligent, informed people who enjoy a good debate and smart conversation. We welcome Keith and we also look forward to welcoming his fans as new Current TV viewers."

"We’re very excited to welcome Keith Olbermann to Current," said Mark Rosenthal, the CEO of Current Media. "Current is aimed at viewers who seek authentic, thought-provoking and meaningful television and an alternative to the ‘scripted reality’ or hard news found on other non-fiction networks. Keith is one of our great provocateurs. His style and voice are perfectly aligned with the programming we’ve developed to deliver on what those viewers demand."