MSNBC “Must Be Thrilled” By Countdown

MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann enjoyed one of its highest-rated nights ever on Monday, averaging 834,000 total viewers from 8 to 9pm.

The broadcast topped CNN’s Paula Zahn Now in the demo and total viewers last week, and the trend continued on Monday. But more importantly to MSNBC, Countdown averaged 333,000 viewers in the 25-54 demo — just 65,000 fewer than Bill O’Reilly‘s 389,000 demo delivery. MSNBC actually beat FNC in the demo between 8:15 and 8:30pm, according to a tipster.

It led an e-mailer ask: “Can anyone remember the last time an MSNBC show rated so high in a normal news period? The folks in Secaucus must be thrilled!”

But Olbermann couldn’t build on the high ratings he earned on Monday; he was booked on the Late Show with David Letterman last night…