Olbermann takes off month of March, his show gets higher ratings without him

At what point do the geniuses up in the executive suites at MSNBC look at the latest ratings and ask themselves the reasonable question, “Why are we paying Olbermann $7 million a year?”

olbermann ratings
Uh-oh. Looks like Olbermann rantings do not translate to Olbermann ratings

At what point do the geniuses up in the executive suites at MSNBC look at the latest ratings and ask themselves the reasonable question, “Why are we paying Olbermann $7 million a year?”

We call it reasonable because Olbermann’s Countdown show got higher ratings while he was off the air.

MediaBistro reports the bad news for the oleaginous Olbermann:

As we reported, yesterday was Keith Olbermann’s official return to MSNBC after being away for more than a month. And with the March ratings period now complete (it ended Sunday), Olbermann’s substitute host, Lawrence O’Donnell, helped give “Countdown” its best month of the quarter, but still down — 21% — compared to March ’09.

Admittedly, “higher” ratings is a relative term at the ratings-challenged network. And a 21% increase doesn’t translate to a lot of additional viewers.

Nevertheless, think of all the additional limos and champagne and caviar the MSNBC execs could afford to buy if they weren’t paying Olbermann’s exorbitant salary. And don’t think they’re not thinking the same thing.

Source: MediaBistro.com

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