In an article describing MSNBC’s supposed ‘left-leaning’ programming tilt, the New York Times suggests that despite courting controversial talk show host Rosie O’Donnell to host a prime time show, business considerations could preclude General Electric, MSNBC’s parent company, from moving ‘too far’ left.

Having a prime-time lineup that tilts ever more demonstrably to the left could be risky for General Electric, MSNBC’s parent company, which is subject to legislation and regulation far afield of the cable landscape.

This isn’t the first time General Electric has allowed business interests to influence programming. In February 2003, “MSNBC canceled Phil Donahue’s talkshow after an internal memo argued that he would be a “difficult public face for NBC in a time of war.”

He seems to delight in presenting guests who are anti-war, anti-Bush and skeptical of the administration’s motives.” The report warned that the Donahue show could be “a home for the liberal anti-war agenda at the same time that our competitors are waving the flag at every opportunity.”

In October 2004, Donahue revealed that MSNBC executives required the show “have two conservatives on for every liberal. I [Donahue] was counted as two liberals.”

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