The surprise announcement comes as telecommunications giant Comcast is said to be near to closing its deal to acquire control of MSNBC parent NBC Universal from General Electric.
In a closing statement on his show, Mr. Olbermann said simply that it would be the last edition of the program. He offered no explanation other than on occasion, the show had become too much for him.
Mr. Olbermann thanked his viewers for their enthusiastic support of a show that had âgradually established its position as anti-establishement.â
MSNBC announced that âThe Last Wordâ with Lawrence OâDonnell would replace âCountdownâ at 8 p.m., with âThe Ed Showâ with Ed Schultz taking Mr. OâDonnellâs slot at 10 p.m. Mr. Olbermann did not discuss any future plans, but NBC executives said one term of his settlement will keep him from moving to another network for an extended period of time.
In a closing statement on his show, Mr. Olbermann said simply that it would be the last edition of the program. He offered no explanation other than on occasion, the show had become too much for him.
Mr. Olbermann thanked his viewers for their enthusiastic support of a show that had âgradually established its position as anti-establishement.â
MSNBC announced that âThe Last Wordâ with Lawrence OâDonnell would replace âCountdownâ at 8 p.m., with âThe Ed Showâ with Ed Schultz taking Mr. OâDonnellâs slot at 10 p.m. Mr. Olbermann did not discuss any future plans, but NBC executives said one term of his settlement will keep him from moving to another network for an extended period of time.