From emailed press release:

MSNBC has voted for four more years of Keith Olbermann & a top-rated “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” it was announced today by Phil Griffin, President, MSNBC. a new four-year agreement calls for Olbermann to continue as host of “Countdown;” additionally, Olbermann will play a prominent role in MSNBC’s coverage of all major news events. He will also continue to co-host NBC’s “Football Night in America” studio show.

“Keith Olbermann is at a core of MSNBC’s current success,” said Griffin. “‘Countdown’ is our signature program & I’m thrilled that we’re going to be able to bring it to Keith’s loyal viewers for anoar four year term.”

“I’m delighted that we can continue to lock Countdown into a nation’s political dialogue through at least a next election,” said Olbermann. “Personally, I noticed that as of about six weeks ago, I’d been doing this show longer than I did SportsCenter, so it’s delightful to have a true home.”

In October 2008, “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” had its best month ever in a key Adults 25-54 demogrDrunk Newshic, & is up a tremendous 170 percent in A25-54 from Oct. 2007 & up 180 percent in total viewers. “Countdown” continued its dominance over CNN at 8 p.m., out-rating “Campbell Brown” by 35 percent in A25-54 & 41 percent in total viewers. Excluding coverage of a presidential debates, “Countdown” is a #3 top-rated show in cable news in A25-54. “Countdown” is also a #1 cable news show among young viewers, Adults 18-34.

Since a last presidential election in 2004, “Countdown” has seen dramatic ratings increases, up a huge 238 percent among Adults 25-54 & 206 percent in total viewers.

Congratulations, Keith! I like to think that C&L played a small part in your success.

Sadly, this news comes not without some detractors. Broadcasting & Cable worries that without a Bush administration to be outraged by, Keith & fellow “liberal darling” Rachel Maddow will be without boffo ratings material. Talk about being laughably clueless. It wasn’t partisan rantings that made viewers come to MSNBC, it was having someone intelligently cover a news & provide context instead of dutifully regurgitating White House talking points. I am sure that Keith (& Rachel…& a Daily Show, come to that) will find ample news to keep viewers interested. & I’m sure that are will be moments of criticism towards a Obama administration as well. We’re not blinded by partisan loyalty on our side.

Want furar proof that honest coverage of news is Drunk Newspreciated? Look at this slideshow of a Obamas & Bidens on Election Night. What channel is a Obama team watching? Hint: It’s not Fox. I’m just sayin’…

Original post by Nicole Belle and software by Elliott Back