2006: Olbermann & Doc Block Boost MSNBC’s Ratings

By Brian 

> Dec. 18: It’s time for Olbermann to negotiate a new contract; he reportedly wants $4 million a year

> Dec. 5: Chris Matthews off air for a week due to complications from diabetes


> Nov. 29: “It’s official, we are on a roll,” Abrams tells staffers

> Nov. 27: MSNBC acquires rights to Super Size Me and other documentaries

> Nov. 20: “MSNBC has seen the future, and it is politics”

> Nov. 3: Chris Licht becomes Scarborough’s EP

> Nov. 1: In the midst of budget cuts, “things are looking up at MSNBC”

> Oct. 19: In NBC U 2.0, MSNBC will work “more closely” with NBC News; employees brace for job cuts

> Oct. 19: NBC will shut down Secaucus site in 2007; MSNBC will move to 30 Rock (with some to Engelwood Cliffs)

> Sep. 20: MSNBC covers an ostrich on the loose


> Sep. 19: As his Special Comments continue, Olbermann receives more and more positive press


> Aug. 29: Rumor has it that MSNBC may move out of Secaucus

> Aug. 22: XM satellite radio drops MSNBC

> Aug. 21: MSNBC has a snazzy new graphics package



> Aug. 14: Carlson will be Dancing with the Stars this fall; later, he’s the first contestant to be sent home

> Aug. 13: Your Business starts airing on Sunday mornings

> Aug. 1: At the Top Of The Rock, NBCers enjoy MSNBC.com’s first-place position

> Jul. 31: MSNBC adds Davidson Goldin as editorial director

> Jul. 27: Tammy Haddad stays with MSNBC, becomes VP in Washington

> Jul. 27: Scarborough Country takes a tabloid turn; later, a producer gets drunk to simulate Mel Gibson‘s intoxication

> Jul. 17: MSNBC is using more NBC talent



> Jul. 15: MSNBC recognizes its tenth anniversary with a party in NJ; “The challenge hasn’t changed in 10 years — to clarify why MSNBC is an alternative to CNN,” ex-GM Erik Sorenson says

> Jul. 10: Tucker’s show is now called Tucker

> Jun. 29: MSNBC schedules tape from 9 to 11pm; Rita Cosby loses her show; Carlson moves to the afternoon

> Jun. 26: Michael Rubin becomes VP of longform


> Jun. 26: NBC exec says more tape is coming to MSNBC’s primetime

> Jun. 26: Abrams wants a “live and urgent, less newscasty” daytime

> Jun. 16: Connie Chung sings goodbye

> Jun. 14: Zucker wants more crime and repeats

> Jun. 12: “This is an unconventional play. We know that, and that’s the beauty of it,” an insider says

> Jun. 12: Dan Abrams becomes general manager and Phil Griffin becomes executive in charge

> Jun. 12: Capus considers MSNBC a “news and information network”

> Jun. 8: Is there “any real place or need for a third cable news network?”

> Jun. 8: “It’s time to push… and grow the channel in a way it hasn’t to date,” Steve Capus says

> Jun. 7: Rick Kaplan exits; a “mutual decision;” it’s “the first step in the strategic restructure of MSNBC”

>
May 31: “MSNBC and CNBC are doing much better,” Bob Wright states

> May 1: Tucker Carlson ditches the bow tie

> May 1: The Most with Alison Stewart premieres

> Apr. 18: Joe Scarborough and Rita Cosby switch timeslots; it puts Rita, Nancy and Greta head-to-head-to-head

> Apr. 18: MSNBC tries repeating Countdown at 9am

> Apr. 5: Susan Sullivan replaces Mark Effron as daytime VP

> Mar. 19: MSNBC realizes the value of tape

> Feb. 27: Jeff Zucker says “there’s real and actual momentum at MSNBC”

> Jan. 28: MSNBC is worth $1 billion?

> Jan. 27: Analyzing the Microsoft-NBC split: “GE knows how to contractually rape its prospective partners”

> Jan. 11: MSNBC begins airing taped shows from 9pm to midnight on Fridays; Rick Kaplan implies that it’s temporary

> Jan. 9: Weekends with Maury and Connie premieres. “This one won’t last through the summer,” an e-mailer predicts

> Jan. 4: Jon Friedman says MSNBC is “quietly showing serious improvement in its reporting and programming”

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