Current TV adds Cenk Uygur and The Young Turks

Cenk Uygur - photo by Andy SternbergToday it was announced that Cenk Uygur and The Young Turks will be heading to Current TV with a new 7pm show. Earlier this year Cenk Uygur had a 6pm show on MSNBC before leaving amidst turmoil, just as Keith Olbermann did in January.

Keith Olbermann and Current chairman, Al Gore have stated that they intend to build shows around Countdown with Keith Olbermann. The plan is to grow Current TV into an independent and progressive minded alternative to the existing cable news networks. Olbermann’s Countdown has arguably been a great success for Current TV. While ratings are nowhere near what they were at his former network it is clear that the new Countdown has chipped away at MSNBC’s The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell.

The Young Turks is a progressive web-based show watched by millions. When Uygur left MSNBC he stated that he had no plans to pursue other television options and was satisfied to continue with the online program. It appears that Current TV’s independence was tailored for Uygur, who will now have a platform delivered to 60 million homes. The new show will begin later this year.

Current TV stated an announcement for a third show should be expected soon.

Since Countdown launched in June I’ve been curious to see what talent would follow Olbermann to the young network. Uygur seems like a great fit. In the past I tweeted that we might see Eliot Spitzer get a show on Current TV but that is purely speculation. Spitzer has been a Countdown contributor since his CNN show, In The Arena, was canceled.

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#Al Gore#Cenk Uygur#CNN#Countdown with Keith Olbermann#Current TV#Eliot Spitzer#Keith Olbermann#Lawrence O'Donnell#MSNBC#The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell#The Young Turks