Good for You Oprah: OWN Network Will See Profits by Late 2013
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey recently spoke about the struggle in creating and maintaining her OWN network. But now, according to Discovery officials, the OWN network, could turn a profit by late 2013.
Discovery CEO David Zaslav, determined that OWN should be profitable by the “back half” of 2013, according to reports. This turnaround, he said was due to the increase in ratings since last January. Oprah has been doing interviews that are out of the ordinary for her in her quest to improve ratings. She was criticized for interviews with rapper 50 Cent, who named his dog Oprah. The dog even has a twitter page which says that she is “50 Cents b**ch.”
Discovery and Winfrey are partners in the all- Oprah network, which has had it’s ups and downs since January 2011. The network’s slow start caused some advertisers to pull back which meant Discovery had to more than double its initial investment. Without advertising revenues, the network had a difficult time paying the enormous cost of doing business.
In an interview with AdAge, Oprah said that her reputation raised expectations “beyond anything I was capable of doing on my own.” Yet some of OWN’s features and shows such as “Master Class” have garnered the success usually associated with the media mogul.
Fans were understandably worried when reports that famed talk show host and cultural influencer Oprah Winfrey’s television network was struggling with ratings and finding the right programming. A show hosted by Rosie O’Donnell was canceled after only a few episodes.
In a documentary, called “Oprah Builds a Network,” Oprah gave viewers a peek into just what it takes and what she and how she and her team dealt with the struggle.
Go OPE
Congrats Oprah:keep setting the examples we need positive success in these days and time. Thanks
Congrats Ophra. I’ve watched your show on NBC for all 25 years. I’m just as loyal to OWN. You are my shero!
I tried contacting Oprah a couple of times. I wanted her to know about my contact with a real alien. However, given what the world is today, I felt she thought this was a scam. I have an excellent reputation and have no mental illness. I thought that if I were to come on her show, after being interviewed, she would have received more ratings. I’m willing to take a lie detector test any time, any place, almost any where. I was in the legal field for almost twenty years. However, she never responded. These are the types of programs that people want to see. If it’s good enough for National Geographic, it certainly should be good enough for Oprah.
Fran
I like oprah and think she’s a nice person but what does her situation have to do with the situation of the average Black person in america? white supremacy is intent on wiping out Black folks and i’m concerned about a rich Black person who loves the head house negro?
Oprah, you are the best!!!! No other like you. I think the world could use more (: love ya