Community | July 29, 2011 | 12 comments

Current TV CEO Mark Rosenthal Exits Amid Network's Attempt to Transform

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Current TV CEO Mark Rosenthal is leaving the company today after two years in the post and six as Current board member. Joel Hyatt, Current's co-chairman and co-founder, will reclaim the CEO title, a position he held prior to Mr. Rosenthal's appointment.

Mr. Rosenthal, who oversaw the network's pickup and launch of "Countdown with Keith Olbermann," had grown increasingly frustrated over sharing many executive duties with Mr. Hyatt, executives familiar with Mr. Rosenthal's departure told Ad Age.

Current executives hope the network is at a turning point in its history, much as MSNBC was when Mr. Olbermann first joined that network in 2003. Current, founded by Al Gore and Mr. Hyatt, is trying to evolve from an interactive network targeting young adults to a broader documentary-based, politically progressive channel anchored by shows like "Countdown" and "Vanguard."

The independent network is available in only 60 million homes, a good 35 million shy of the distribution for competitors like MSNBC, CNN, Fox News and HLN. In June, Mr. Rosenthal told Ad Age that Current stood to benefit greatly from the upcoming election cycle.

"The single biggest opportunity for any cable news network is the general election," Mr. Rosenthal said then. "If you look at Nielsen ratings, fourth-quarter 2007 through fourth-quarter 2008 for Fox, CNN and MSNBC, the three of those saw a combined 100% ratings increase. There's a tremendous on-ramp as you get to the election. To me it seems like a sports season that ends in a championship. The primaries are equivalent to that."

Current issued a statement noting Mr. Rosenthal's achievements as CEO. "During Mark's tenure, Current has become a focused cable network with a world class leadership team, a new brand identity, a move towards long-form, ratings-driven factual programming and a solid foundation for growth," the network said.

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12 comments // Current TV CEO Mark Rosenthal Exits Amid Network's Attempt to Transform

  • lordsbassman
    • +2
      lordsbassman  

    • Well I hope this means we can move on and Current will start getting better. or Mark Rosenthal my just be a symbol of what is to come... all of us leaving slowly..

    • 10 months ago
  • remanns
  • remanns
  • remanns
  • PoliticalAmazon
    • +1
      PoliticalAmazon  
    • remanns:

      Some of the best posters left Current when KO started here...not because KO started here, but because Current so badly handled the transition, ham-fistedly yanking away the members right to have their own news channel, and making the American version of the Current website very difficult to navigate.

      I still think the navigation code they have now on the American site was written by drunken ferrets on meth.

      The only reason I am still posting here--and I didn't for awhile after the KO changes--is because the UK side still has a News category.

      Ironically, it was because KO would be on current in the future is why I chose current as the place to move after HuffingtonPost went all AOLy a few months before they merged with AOL.

    • 10 months ago
  • remanns
  • remanns
  • Misti
  • PoliticalAmazon
    • 0
      PoliticalAmazon  
    • Misti:

      Obama after the inauguration, and Current signing on KO, both wanted to broaden their appeal.

      Ironically, both also threw their core base under the bus to do it.

      It's not working so well for Obama. I hope it works better for Current.

    • 10 months ago
  • kvb1
    • +1
      kvb1  

    • I have said before that it is great to get KO, maybe add another show like that as well. BUT, that should not be the focus of the network. FOX did not become the powerhouse it is today based on its news, it did it on the back of programming entertainment and sports. I do not want Current to become just like any other network, I should remain innovative and controversial, it should continue to include programming that involves its audience. There are 24 hours in a day, and that translates to a lot of programming.

      Please do NOT become another MSNBC.

    • 10 months ago
  • LittleRascals
  • letsliveinpeace
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