from Media Bistro

Countdown with Keith Olbermann is getting a tryout on NBC. The NYTimes reports, Countdown will air before NBC’s broadcast of this Sunday’s pre’season game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers. Says NBC SVP Phil Griffin, “The world has changed, and I think people have come in line with the smart, focused approach [Keith] has on the show.”

In April, NBC announced Olbermann would be joining the roster of NBC’s “Football Night in America” pregame show. And Griffin adds, “It may be the first of several times you see Olbermann on the network.”

“Countdown’s” network debut comes on the heels of the program’s stellar performance this year. According to Nielsen Media Research, the program attracted 721,000 viewers in July, up an incredible 88% over July 2006. “Countdown” continues to be the number two cable news program at 8 p.m. ET, beating CNN by a 20% margin for the year.

“I’m delighted we’re getting a chance to show off in a bigger storefront window,” said Olbermann. “It’s much better than trying to take it door-to-door. I do advise new viewers to sit well back from their screens.”

Izzy Povich is Executive Producer, “Countdown with Keith Olbermann.” Dan Abrams is General Manager, MSNBC. Phil Griffin is Senior Vice President of NBC News and Executive in charge of MSNBC.