“Countdown” will return to TV on Current June 20, and host Keith Olbermann is lining up a stable of contributors to appear regularly on the program.
TVNewser has learned that filmmaker Michael Moore, documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, comedian Richard Lewis, Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas and National Association of Free Clinics executive director Nicole D. Lamoureux are among those on board as contributors.
Update: Olbermann just tweeted that he expects to have around 20 regular contributors in total. More to be announced at a later date.
Update 2: It’s Official, announcement from Current TV after the jump.
CURRENT TV’S “COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN” TAPS KEY CONTRIBUTORS KEN BURNS, NICOLE LAMOREAUX, RICHARD LEWIS, MICHAEL MOORE AND MARKOS MOULITSAS TO LEND THEIR VIEWS AND VOICES AS A REGULAR PART OF THE “COUNTDOWN” LINE UP
SHOW PREMIERING ON JUNE 20 AND AIRING EACH WEEK NIGHT AT 8 P.M. ET, “COUNTDOWN” WILL BE THE TV HOME FOR OLBERMANN’S UNIQUE VOICE AND COMMENTARY, ONLY ON INDEPENDENTLY OWNED CURRENT TV
NEW YORK – MAY 11, 2011 – “Countdown With Keith Olbermann,” the much-anticipated week-nightly commentary show slated to launch on independently owned Current TV on June 20TH, is announcing its first group of regular contributors, which will include notable policy-makers, documentary film makers, award-winning journalists, bloggers comedians and other progressive voices. Lending their views and voices to “Countdown” on a regular basis will be film maker Ken Burns, Nicole D. Lamoureux, Executive Director, National Association Of Free Clinics, comedian Richard Lewis, film maker Michael Moore and Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas.
“I’m delighted and honored that so many of my friends – who are not coincidentally among the top progressive and entertainment voices in the country today – will be joining me as contributors to ‘Countdown’ on Current,” said Olbermann, Current TV’s Chief News Officer as well as the show’s host and Executive Producer. “I hope these talented individuals, and the others we are to announce in these weeks before the premiere on June 20 will give viewers a sense of the strength and depth of the franchise we’re assembling.”
“Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” which launches June 20th at 8 p.m. ET and will air live each week night, marks the return to the airwaves for Olbermann, one of journalism’s most provocative and outspoken voices, on independently-owned Current, which was founded in 2005 by Al Gore and Joel Hyatt and is now distributed in more than 75 million households around the world.
Olbermann’s decision to join Current was announced in February.
“Countdown with Keith Olbermann” leads a programming slate on Current that includes original and acquired TV series aimed at an influential adult audience. The network’s original, long-form programming includes ‘Vanguard,” an award-winning documentary series whose 2011 slate will debut after “Countdown” at 9 p.m. ET on June 20; and “4th and Forever,” the documentary series premiering May 26th at 9 p.m. ET, about the extraordinary players, coaches and families behind the Long Beach Poly football program (which has sent more players to the NFL than any high school in the country).
Current features compelling stories about everyday heroes and ordinary people in extraordinary situations, and takes you to sometimes dangerous and always intriguing places. Current shines a light on controversial subjects, tackling hot issues of the day in a thoughtful and sometimes humorous way. Current engages its viewers by sparking debate and discussion, and via interactive formats that allow viewers to inform its stories.
About Current Media:
Current Media, the Peabody-and Emmy Award-winning television and online network founded in 2005 by Al Gore and Joel Hyatt, engages viewers with smart, provocative and timely programming –stories that no one else is telling in ways that no one else is telling them. Current’s programming shines a light where others won’t dare and boldly explores important subjects — opening minds, sparking conversations and forming deep connections with its viewers. The channel’s audience is comprised of affluent, curious, social and connected adults who crave the kind of entertaining, enlightening, witty and informative programming found on Current’s TV and online properties. Current is now available via cable and satellite TV in 75 million households worldwide – 60 million households in the US – through distribution partners Comcast (Channel 107); Time Warner; DirecTV (Channel 358 nationwide); Dish Network (Channel 196 nationwide); Verizon and AT&T. In the UK and Ireland, Current is available on BSkyB (Channel 183) and Virgin Media (Channel 155), and in Italy, Current is available on Sky Italia (Channel 130). Viewers can also find Current online at www.current.com.