MSNBC reverses itself on Tucker?
TVNewser scoops that Tucker is not on the chopping block. However the story as TVN has written it got my attention…
Insiders tell TVNewser that contrary to speculation, MSNBC has no plans to cancel Tucker. In early November, at least one blog reported that the Tucker Carlson-hosted 6pmET show had already been canceled.
Don’t buy the spin. MSNBC may have re-embraced Tucker now but his show was definitely on the outs late last year. I was hearing the same things from multiple sources that other sites reported. And then there’s the fact that these “insiders” took their sweet time to shoot down FTVLive’s story…like nearly two months. The story blew up all over the blogs and they wait two months to kill it? Sorry, not buying it. Where’s the other shoe? Maybe this is it…
The key in all of this was whether Carlson renewed or not (or whether MSNBC decided to renew him or not) and what he renewed at as his contract was up soon. Since there has now been a public statement, albeit anonymous, that MSNBC is committed to him, I think we can safely assume Carlson has indeed re-signed with MSNBC.
Update: There is a second scenario which I hadn’t thought of. Carlson’s contract may not be renewed and he remains with MSNBC in an at will capacity; meaning MSNBC can dump him anytime it wants. The reasons for going this route would be that it saves money. They don’t have to buy some big remaining portion of a contract if Carlson is at will and MSNBC decides to make a change. It would however mean that Carlson is free to go anywhere he chooses but doesn’t have any good options so he’s staying with MSNBC.
Money could also be the central reason why Carlson was retained when all indications were he was toast. If they brought someone new in it would end up costing them more money in the long run, in terms of staff hires and promotion and salary, than to keep Carlson and his relatively weak ratings on the air. If that is the case, and I’m not saying it is, then MSNBC really is in a world of pain right now thanks to the budget crunch.
MSNBC had no choice to resign Tucker… who in their right mind would sign a contract to work there with all the reports of bad moral and people being laid off?
Comment by Nobody — January 2, 2008 @ 2:29 pm
MSNBC had no choice to resign Tucker… who in their right mind would sign a contract to work there with all the reports of bad moral and people being laid off?
People who want a job?
Comment by Steve — January 2, 2008 @ 2:33 pm
Maybe our letter-writing campaign helped out?
Comment by Missy — January 2, 2008 @ 2:33 pm
It hasn’t translated into ratings…
Comment by Spud — January 2, 2008 @ 2:36 pm
I don’t think the being the liberal media cablenews outlet experiment worked. MSNBC mis read their audience it isn’t too late to make a correction, it isn’t ever too late, first you have to admit you made mistakes - that comes from the top.
Comment by Ree — January 2, 2008 @ 3:55 pm
Now we can be done with all of the sky-is-falling speculation about Tucker.
If Spud says he has re-signed with MSNBC, it must be true.
At least that is what I chose to believe. Whew!
Comment by Cella — January 2, 2008 @ 5:04 pm
Finally, someone at MSNBC had a good idea. Keep Tucker. So what if his ratings aren’t high. His audience is full of loyal regular watchers.
>World Affairs
>Politics
>Opinions
>Tucker
Comment by Aaron — January 2, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
I read somewhere Tucker signed for less money. But, I don’t really remember where that was. However, it could’ve been jossip, gawker, or something like that.
Comment by Terance — January 2, 2008 @ 6:30 pm
And you didn’t send me a link WHY?
Comment by Spud — January 2, 2008 @ 7:10 pm
^ Because you censor some of my posts and turn down my email links occasionally! :> Its very discouraging, I say!
Comment by Terance — January 2, 2008 @ 7:20 pm
Give ‘em hell Terance!
Spud: Your update makes much more sense than the original. If MSNBC really re-signed Tucker, there would be a press release, not a back-door item from a blogger.
Comment by Ira — January 2, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
Spud: I’ll provide a better analogy for your update.
What MSNBC reported is doing with Tucker is similar to what happens when your 2-year cell phone contract lapses. If you don’t renew with different terms or switch carriers, the existing contract goes on and on, same rate, same amount of minutes etc.!
Comment by Ira — January 2, 2008 @ 10:38 pm
That should read reportedly.
Comment by Ira — January 2, 2008 @ 10:39 pm
fire tucker and hire david shuster your making a big mistake now i will never vote for hillery
Comment by clifford shpack — February 11, 2008 @ 6:04 pm
fire tucker and rehire david shuster your making a big mistake when tucker is on i turn to cnn david is the best
Comment by clifford shpack — February 11, 2008 @ 6:19 pm