Keith Olbermann Joins Current TV; Twitter Has Opinions

In case you haven't heard, Keith Olbermann is headed to Current TV.

The former MSNBC anchor will join the network co-founded by Al Gore as chief news officer and also plans to host a nightly prime-time news and commentary program.

"Nothing is more vital to a free America than a free media, and nothing is more vital to my concept of a free media than news produced independently of corporate interference," Olbermann said in a press release. "In Current Media, Al Gore and Joel Hyatt have created the model truth-seeking entity."

So much for reviving those classic Olbermann ESPN commercials.

Always savvy with the new media, Olbermann tweeted his announcement at 11 a.m. this morning:

Greetings from Keith Olbermann, Chief News Officer of Current Media! And awayyyyyy we go! #FOKless than a minute ago via TwittelatorKeith Olbermann
KeithOlbermann

And what sort of employer would Al Gore be if he wasn't quick with some re-tweet love?

Welcome to Current RT @KeithOlbermann Greetings from Keith Olbermann, Chief News Officer of Current Media! And awayyyyyy we go!less than a minute ago via webAl Gore
algore

Current TV staff weren't the only big shots talking about Olbermann's move. Media bloggers from across the Web offered their 140-character-or-less reads on the decision.

It seems that Time columnist James Poniewozik saw this coming:

Sure enough, Olbermann to host "major new" primetime show on Current TV.less than a minute ago via webJames Poniewozik
poniewozik

The New York Times' Brian Stelter sums up Olbermann's new gig:

Keith Olbermann to become the Chief News Officer of Current Media, per his Twitter feed. A management role indeed.less than a minute ago via webBrian Stelter
brianstelter

Mother Jones Washington Bureau Chief David Corn may already be an avid Current TV viewer:

Right now on Current TV: "Viral Videos," featuring "Keyboard Cat." Later, "Kill It, Cook It, Eat It." KO will be rebuilding a network-againless than a minute ago via webDavid Corn
DavidCornDC

Yahoo's blog guru Andrew Golis on what this is really about:

Olbermann heading to Current isn't about the cable channel, it's about setting up an ideal platform for the disaggregated digital TV future.less than a minute ago via Twitterrific for Macagolis
agolis

Daily Beast columnist Howard Kurtz on Olbermann's stake in the company:

Olbermann says he'll be getting an equity position in Current TV. So now he's got a piece of the action.less than a minute ago via webHowardKurtz
HowardKurtz

Financial Times Media Editor Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson isn't afraid to ask the big question.

I don't know why Olbermann didn't just sell himself to AOLless than a minute ago via webA Edgecliffe-Johnson
Edgecliffe

For more Surge Desk coverage check out:
A Brief History of Al Gore's Current TV, Keith Olbermann's New Home
Keith Olbermann Teases Big Announcement on Twitter

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