It's a sad day for Oprah Winfrey and her OWN television network. According to reports, as many as 30 people -- roughly one-fifth of her staff -- were laid off today.
In a statement, Oprah called the move regarding the network, which launched just over a year ago, "tough." She said it was necessary, however, for "long-term success for the network." Still, ouch, and while it sounds like she's not giving up yet, things aren't looking so good for the network. A source told TMZ, "It's like a ghost town over there."
I can't say it's surprising.
How many things have YOU watched on the network? I report regularly on entertainment, and besides Oprah's interview with Whitney Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina, I frankly almost forgot the network even existed.
I was, of course, reminded of it again last week when Rosie O'Donnell and her show also got the axe from the network. As The Daily Beast points out, O'Donnell was supposed to save the network, but instead, she may have helped sink it.
According to reports the show was a disaster with problems from start to finish, including dismal ratings. One episode pulled in only 60,000 viewers. If that's an example of the problems the network's shows face, today's news is even less surprising.
Commenters on the site, seem generally perturbed with the network as well. As one stated:
People, so many, want Oprah to succeed and really want OWN to succeed, but have been let down tremendously due to hours and hours of reruns, negative non-uplifting shows, cancelling Rosie, OVER AND OVER they have said they do not like certain shows and they do like certain shows, listen! It's been over a year now, how long does this take, I thought some planning went into it even before it premiered, and still hours and hours of reruns etc.
It's too bad too. Oprah is a beautiful person, who inspires so many. There's certainly plenty of trash out there on TV, and her programming could be a nice, bright spot amongst it, but it's just not shining brightly enough now. Will she be able to work it out? I have my doubts, but I also don't doubt Oprah's ability to make things happen. Anything is possible.
Do you watch anything on OWN? What do you think about its chances for survival?
Image via Oprah
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Comments 12
I barely watched it and when she added Rosie, I completely stopped watching on purpose. I can't stand Rosie and I can't believe Oprah would bring her in. Too bad.
There is 1 reason and 1 reason only why this network isnt doing as great as it should & it's economics.Im one of Im sure tens of thousands of women who faithfully watched oprah for over 20 yrs that's unable to access OWN,due to not only an additional 18.00 a month charge but an expensive cable box upgrade as well.I was initially thrilled when I learned of her plans for OWN & devastated when I found out I would be left in the dust due to having no choice but to struggle to feed my family over watching her new network.The network started when the economy was at it's very worst.I had just lost my once successful business & have lost nearly everything ever since.I write daily on her website boards,even for a time begging for a "scholarship" to her network,until a moderator there told me to stop asking,lol.There's so many fantastic programs there,Master Class being one of the best.I watch whatever videos and snipptes I could on her website.Julie,I am so happy you wrote of what a beautiful inspiring person oprah is,she has brought out the best in me & brings the world's most dynamic people to the forefront to teach others.The recent pairing of her and Tony Robbins is off the charts.n order to save her dream, she MUST! find a way to make this network available to ALL of theultimate fans like myself that got left inthe dust.AsOprah would say"This I know for sure".I am so rooting her on,she is one of the greatest American heroes of our time.
I didn't like the Rosie show when it came on originally I thought it was cheesy, but when she changed to that one-on-one format I watched, and the interviews were good. I think Oprah has alot to offer, but her network does show hours of re-runs, I hope she can pull it together. Maybe Tyler Perry should come join her netowork instead of his own and with his stuff and her stuff there will be something to watch.
Also her biggest mistake was airing reruns as soon the as the network hit the air. The only thing I liked was the show about three female OBs. But Dr. Phil episodes from five years ago? It made me not interested in the network at all.