Olbermann to co-host 'Football'

Anchor added to NBC studio show

By MICHAEL LEARMONTH

Olbermann

MSNBC's Keith Olbermann was named co-host of NBC's "Football Night in America" studio show, marking a return to network sports after a six-year absence.

The former ESPN "SportsCenter" anchor will join host Bob Costas, co-host Chris Collinsworth and analysts Jerome Bettis and Tiki Barber on "Football Night in America," where he will call the highlights and participate in studio banter.

"Keith helped to elevate the medium of sports television earlier in his career, and now he will add his original style to 'Football Night in America,' " said NBC Sports and Olympics chairman Dick Ebersol.

Olbermann anchored ESPN's "SportsCenter" from 1992 to 1997 before he joined NBC Sports as host of the World Series and MLB All-Star Game. He has also covered sports for CNN and was host of Fox's postseason baseball coverage in 2001.

Olbermann launched "Countdown" on MSNBC in 2003, and it has become the network's best ratings performer, regularly beating CNN at 8 p.m.