Keith Olbermann blasted his former protege Rachel Maddow for lacking “principle” after the MSNBC host reportedly signed a rich new contract to stay at the network — despite layoff fears and cratering ratings at the left-leaning cable channel .
Olbermann, who hosted MSNBC’s flagship show “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” from 2003 to 2011, responded on X to reporter Jeff Jarvis’ observation that the Comcast-owned network “may have to change its identity” as the parent company Comcast announced plans to spin off its cable assets.
Jarvis then asked if Maddow — who reportedly signed a five-year contract. 125 million deal last month after President-elect Donald Trump’s shock victory — “has to go away and build a new operation.”
“She just re-signed for $25 million. If you think she would do something about principle, I’ll light a candle for you,” Olbermann replied last week.
The Post has sought comment from Maddow and MSNBC.
Industry insiders told Puck News last week that Comcast’s recently announced plans to spin off MSNBC and other cable channels have only increased Maddow’s value as the company must keep her if it hopes to attract a paying buyer. top dollars for struggling network.
MSNBC’s ratings have been down since Election Day. Even Maddow’s show, usually a viewership magnet, saw its audience drop 41% since Nov. 5.
Maddow’s reportedly took a haircut from her $30 million-a-year salary, but the new deal raised eyebrows considering other recently reported pay cuts for the cable anchor — as well as the fact that she hosts her own show once a week.
Olbermann helped the little-known Maddown gain national prominence by making her a regular host on “Countdown” in 2008. She had been a host on the left-leaning radio network Air America Radio.
Olbermann reportedly lobbied MSNBC executives to hire Maddow full-time — and reportedly paid “out of his own pocket” to keep her as a contributor.
Maddow’s popularity led to the launch of MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show” in 2008—which has since proven to be the network’s top-rated program.
Olbermann’s tumultuous tenure at the network ended in 2011, when he was fired in the middle of a four-year, $30 million contract to make political donations to several Democratic campaigns.
In 2022, the Daily Beast reported that Olbermann was in talks with top executives at NBCUniversal to return to MSNBC and take over the 8pm slot in place of current host Chris Hayes — only for Maddow to step in and veto to the movement.
Turmoil and panic have gripped MSNBC’s 30 Rock headquarters in recent weeks, as The Post exclusively reported, after Comcast announced the network would be spun off along with other cable assets like CNBC, USA, Oxygen and the Golf Channel.
As part of its plan, Comcast said it would keep the properties of NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports and others. The announcement has left the rank and file at MSNBC wondering how it might affect reporting and staffing at the left-leaning network, which relies heavily on NBC News.
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