Al Gore Recruits Keith Olbermann for Current TV

The rumors are true. Al Gore's Current TV has hired former MNSBC host Keith Olbermann to host a nightly news program.

The recently ousted broadcaster called it "the most exciting venture in my career."

The liberal-leaning Olbermann, in a statement to the press, made a veiled swipe at his former bosses at NBC Universal, now owned by Comcast:

"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. In Current Media, Al Gore and Joel Hyatt have created the model truth-seeking entity. The opportunity to partner with (Current executives) Al, Joel (Hyatt) and Mark Rosenthal makes this."

And to his followers on Twitter, he posted a celebratory tweet: "Greetings from Keith Olbermann, Chief News Officer of Current Media! And awayyyyyy we go!"

From Current TV's press release today:

Keith Olbermann, the acclaimed broadcaster and writer whose verbal pyrotechnics and moral passion have outraged, informed, and dazzled viewers of "Countdown With Keith Olbermann" for the past eight years, is bringing his slashing wit, analytical eye, and distinctive commentary to Current Media, the Emmy® and Peabody Award-winning TV and digital media company that was founded in 2005 by Al Gore and Joel Hyatt and is now distributed in more than 75 million households around the world. 

In addition to executive producing and hosting a new nightly primetime news and commentary show, Keith Olbermann will also serve as the company's Chief News Officer and will have an equity stake in Current Media. The new show will air weeknights in primetime beginning later in 2011.