Variety: Comcast not involved in departure; they were told Tuesday

[Newsjock]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118030694

There was immediate speculation that Olbermann's departure was connected to the pending takeover of NBC Universal by Comcast Corp. But MSNBC insiders strongly denied that speculation, asserting that Comcast execs had "nothing to do" with Olbermann's departure and were informed of the decision on Tuesday after the FCC and Justice Department gave the regulatory approval to the merger of Comcast and NBC U. Discussions between Olbermann and MSNBC brass had been going on for some time, even though the anchor had at least two years to go on his existing contract.

[warrior1]

1. yeah righttt

they own it now, and they could have kept him on.

[blaze]

14. My thought exactly. nt

[Drew Richards]

2. I call B888S**88T

[CanonRay]

3. I've got a bridge to sell you

[Cleita]

26. My thoughts exactly. n/t

[JI7]

4. maybe it was his decision, how did he sound when giving the news of final show?

[elleng]

7. SOUNDED ok to me; didn't SEE.

[Seedersandleechers]

11. He sounded like a professional.

[JI7]

15. but could you sense if it was a personal decision on his part

or he was being forced/pressured out ?

[Ruby the Liberal]

23. He sounded confident.

Remember the outcry when they suspended him?

He knows what he is doing here, and more power to him. He may have forced their hand to buy him out so he didn't have to put up with their shit.

[jwirr]

30. Calm, a little subdued, business-like. He was not angry or upset.

One telling fact - if they fired him they could have just replaced him - he ended the show - this may indicate that this was his decision.

[elleng]

5. Interesting; Thx. 2 years remaining.

[BrklynLiberal]

6. I have this really, really big bridge near me I can sell you real cheap.

[drm604]

8. Olbermann is leaving?

:-(

[blaze]

17. Olbermann is gone nt

[BlueCaliDem]

9. Damage control is up and running! I'm so pissed off about

this shit.

Well people...welcome to the country Hitler and Goebbels could only dream of...using Mussolini's take on fascism, that is.

[aaaaaa5a]

10. It doesn't seem right

Why would MSNBC let him go if he had 2 years left on his deal. They may not like him, but he is the one responsible for making MSNBC relevant. Without him, MSNBC would still be trailing Headline news in viewers like they were a few years ago.

[somone]

12. Just a coincidence, folks

a providential coincidence

[Botany]

13. Please!

Don't put bullshit on toast and tell me to eat up because it is just "country style apple butter."

He just signed a contract extension not too long ago.

This was done on a friday night and Rachel was scheduled to be off too .... just a coincidence .. :grr:

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. He has walked out of contracts before

but ... I am still not going to watch.

[TheWebHead]

18. If Keith is the only one gone

and they maintain the existing format... I believe it. I already posted my theory

[fishwax]

19. could be that KO wasn't particularly interested in working for Comcast

:kick:

[marmar]

20. They were caught unawares......

Mierda del toro

[Ruby the Liberal]

21. Maybe he didn't want to work for those jerks.

And forced them to buy out his contract?

[quiller4]

25. I think this is the most likely because KO got a GENEROUS buyout.

[Odin2005]

22. BULLSHIT

[Ruby the Liberal]

24. Not necessarily.

Perhaps he reflected on the outcry when they suspended him, made a better deal elsewhere and forced their hand to cancel his contract and write a BIG check.

Would YOU want to work for them?

Lets see how this plays out.

[tridim]

27. "MSNBC Insiders" are Comcast.

Do they think we're stupid?

[nadinbrzezinski]

29. Of course, we are just the masses

but to make that story stick they will have to give him a buyout from the contract.

[AngryOldDem]

28. And if you believe that....

Sorry, just WAY too convenient.

[genna]

31. If any of us believe that, I have a bridge in Minnesota to sell you.

[quiller4]

32. A year ago I would have been upset to see Olbermann go.

For the last few months I've thought that Olbermann's heart just wasn't in it. The quality of his recent shows has been uneven. As often as not, I've turned the TV off mid-show. I wish him well in future endeavors but I'm really not sorry to see him leave Countdown.

According to media rumors, Olbermann has had his agent working on a buyout for weeks and that Olbermann walks away now with a little more than 2 yrs. pay and an 18 month non-compete clause.

[jillan]

33. Maybe Faux viewers would believe that, not happening with Keith's followers.

[WinkyDink]

34. I beLIEVES! I beLIEVES!

[madrchsod]

35. keith,ed,chris are second to fox in those time slots

rachell is third in her`s. from a business sense it would seem to be counter productive to dump keith because of political reasons.