Oprah's new weight issue: a skinnier magazine (Dinosaur Media DeathWatch™)

New York Post ^ | July 22, 2011 | Keith J. Kelly

[abb]

With ratings on Oprah Winfrey's OWN network sagging, the top brass at Hearst must be worried about the impact on the talk-show queen's eponymous magazine.

O, the Oprah Magazine -- the second-most profitable Hearst title behind Cosmopolitan -- has been putting up less-than-impressive ad sales figures in recent months.

According to one former Hearst insider, "I think that the Oprah brand has gotten slightly weaker. Ratings are down significantly for the new network, and there is a sense some of the magic is gone."

Most of the magazine publishing world had a dismal August, with ad sales down 7 percent for all monthlies, according to data appearing in the Media Industry Newsletter.

But O has fared even worse, posting a 31.4 percent drop to 81.4 ad pages. The steep decline pushed its ad-page tally into negative territory compared to last year, down 1.8 percent to 827 pages. Moreover, O's September issue will be down 18.2 percent, to 126 ad pages, according to MIN.

The crucial September numbers -- typically the biggest of the year for most women's magazines -- stood in stark contrast to Vogue, In Style, Glamour and a number of others that all rebounded from a grim August to post gains.

"O's ad page performance is pretty consistent with what's going on in the women's lifestyle category -- there is softness, especially in the food category, which is systemic to their business, not ours," said an O spokeswoman.

Hearst is hoping that fans pining for her syndicated talk show, which aired its finale on May 25, will be more inclined than ever to pick up the magazine.

"The magazine is really the purest platform for Oprah's message, and the best place for fans who miss the show to stay engaged with the brand," said the O spokeswoman.

snip

[abb]

And the network ain't too healthy, either.

[abb]

ping

[abb]

http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/072111_star_cuts/daily-star-axes-52-newsroom-marketing-advertising/
Daily Star axes 52 in newsroom, marketing, advertising - Owner Lee faces $1.1 billion debt

http://news.yahoo.com/seattle-pi-staff-leave-globe-building-010120854.html
Seattle PI staff to leave globe building

http://gannettblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/tucson-lee-slashes-52-jobs-at-arizona.html
Tucson | Lee lays off 52 at Arizona Daily Star

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110719/BUSINESS/110718040/Lee-Enterprises-again-faces-stock-delisting
Lee Enterprises again faces stock delisting

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-14/lee-negotiates-with-goldman-monarch-on-loan-to-avoid-bankruptcy.html
Lee Haggles With Goldman, Monarch as Debt Default Looms: Corporate Finance

[rocksblues]

Wonder how many women are avoiding “O” due to her fawning over the One!

[PLD]

The main thing is she is a big buddy to the moron and chief..the second thing is the new network sucks

[PATRIOT1876]

Perhaps people are tired of getting advice from an anti-Christian socialist who has been rich and famous for so many decades that she's completely out of touch with the average American.

[albie]

“O”’s cover photographer has an easy job. “Who do I get for this month’s cov...oh yeah. Oprah. Again.”

[ken5050]

Lee is kaput..the stuff they’re offering to their lenders is pure desperation...piling debt atop debt..but at higher rates..as revenues and cash flows decline..

[ZULU]

I wish this rotten B*$% all the misery in the world.

She helped turn loose a monster on America and the west.

[presently no screen name]

"The magazine is really the purest platform for Oprah's message,

Who gives a flip about oprah's message! LOL! Who do they think she is - some goddess? What an insult to women - they make women look like idiots. And then they should spend money to get it! LOL!

And the network ain't too healthy, either.

The only thing healthy is oprah's purse - what it was all about from the beginning. People give up their God-given time that they can never reclaim to line the purse of a bias mouthpiece.

[PATRIOT1876]

Perhaps people are tired of getting advice from an anti-Christian socialist who has been rich and famous for so many decades that she's completely out of touch with the average American.

[nascarnation]

I believe Blowprah’s popularity has gone down the tubes in tandem with Baraq’s.

That’s another reason I’m excited for Nov 2012.

[Liz]

I believe Blowprah’s popularity has gone down the tubes in tandem with Baraq’s.

Agreed.

The failed Olympics trip.

[PLD]

Yes I know, she did not really know how hated this moron is..All the glory days for the moron is over and over for her too..She does not have to worry though she has enough money to buy anything she wants..She lied to the women of America with all the Christian stuff when all along she was going to Rev Wrights church and agree with those loser about the American white people..but she was making money and laughing all along..I stopped watching her show a long time ago..She just didn't give off good vibes to me.. I did however watch the new net work to see what was there..To me I think this is a tax write off since there is nothing there of any interest..

[Pigsley]

I like your attitude. Even though it is hard some days, because I see the idiocy of some of the American voters....I'm still excited for 2012. We all have to keep our eye on the prize, do what we can to get the word out and pray that Obama is fired in the election.

“The Oprah” (I think Howard Stern calls her that—funny), jumped the shark with that farewell program. My Gosh, how over the top! The tears, the angst, the drama that THE OPRAH will no longer be doing HER SHOW!!! The HUMANITY! How will America survive without The Opera providing us with her pearls of wisdom...How will we fill the spiritual gap now that talentless Maya Angelou is no longer stuffed down our throat? Did you hear the music they played on that farewell tribute? You'd think Christ himself was being feted. Uggggghhhh. Disgusting display of arrogance.

It's all down hill from here. I don't watch much TV, but did see a couple of the Sara Ferguson shows...because they filmed in my neighborhood in AZ—so I thought it would be fun to watch. That show is surprisingly interesting and watchable. Fergie is quite a likable sort and you end up feeling for her and hoping she can turn her messy life around to find happiness. However, I looked at the rest of the line-up on the O channel and can tell it's going to go away in short order.

She needs to go away. Along with Barry and Moo. Lot's of us dullard Americans don't think O, Barry or Moo are the smartest people in the room. Invest your $$$ you dopes...I have a feeling the gravy train has left your station.

[abb]

http://seekingalpha.com/article/281042-the-new-york-times-ceo-discusses-q2-2011-results-earnings-call-transcript?source=yahoo
The New York Times’ CEO Discusses Q2 2011 Results - Earnings Call Transcript

[martin_fierro]

[Zakeet]

Initial quick impressions from a cursory glance at the report:

• A 3% increase in our digital advertising revenue could not offset the 6% decline in print advertising revenue in the quarter, leading to total advertising revenues being down 4%.

• Total revenues for the company declined 2% with advertising revenues down 4%, circulation revenues flat, and other revenues down 1%.

• Total revenues [for the About Group] declined 17% to $28 million in the second quarter due principally to declines in both cost-per-click and display advertising. We are proactively responding to some of the secular shifts taking place in the search universe.

• The ... consumer response ... is a strong indication of the value users place on our world-class news analysis and commentary.

• Operating costs were down 1% as a result of lower compensation costs, which were partially offset by high newsprint expense and promotion costs associated with the launch of our digital subscription packages. While expense control efforts have become more challenging, we remain focused on identifying further efficiencies through our operations, which for 2012 could come in the form of increased manufacturing efficiencies, further leveraging of our centralized resources and lower outside printing expenses.

• On a GAAP basis, we saw an operating loss of $114 million in the second quarter compared with an operating profit of $61 million in the same period of 2010.

• Lots of mish-mash about cash flow, but it appears they are sitting on about $400 million, $275 million of which came from a new loan and $300 of which they intend to pay to get rid of Carlos Slim's 14 percent loan. This leaves them with about $125 million, which at their current rate of decline and bare-bones capex, equates to about another 12-18 months of operations assuming things don't get much worse.

Bottom line: As stated a year ago, they're terminal. No idea if they will quietly go down, get bought by a white knight, or become a nationalized rag, but the Times is pretty much finished as a viable business entity.

[max americana]

There’s a scene in THE BOOK OF ELI’ (Denzel Washington movie) and the villain, played by Gary Oldman was looking for the “book” in post-apocalyptic America..

when his henchmen brings the remaining magazines and books and one of them was Oprah’s mag, Oldman just plainly says..

“what is this sh*t? I told you the books which have knowledge and enlighten..”