Jim Robinson
Posted on 02/17/2012 1:32:46 PM PST by jimbo123
Discovery CEO David Zaslav was as optimistic as he could be yesterday when he spoke to analysts about his OWN joint venture with Oprah Winfrey. But his company’s annual report filed this morning at the SEC tells a slightly different story: It says that Discovery has already contributed $312M to the venture, far more than its original $189M commitment. What’s more, Discovery “expects to provide significant additional funding to OWN.”
-snip-
While Discovery owns 50% of OWN, it can’t ensure that it will be repaid because Winfrey “holds operational rights related to programming and marketing, as well as selection and retention of key management personnel.” As a result, Discovery doesn’t control “activites that are critical to OWN’s operating performance and success.”
(Excerpt) Read more at m.deadline.com ...
I can’t believe that there are still people out there who really care about what Oprah has to say.
Discovery should of stuck with wars, weapons, animals, and Dr. Who.
It would be kind of fun to watch O lose it all and end her days at Cabrini-Green crack house.
Another time, another place. If OWN had come out back in 2002....it might have picked up traction and had some significance. After the 2008 election...I’m guessing forty percent of the regular viewers of Oprah saw her political persuasion to be a problem and ditched it.
I’ve flipped through and seen the station a dozen times since it arrived. Other than Doctor Phil....there just isn’t much to brag about. It’s designed strictly for women, and mostly those of the liberal leaning. They can’t compete in the evening hours at all...and what you see in the afternoon just isn’t worth bragging about. I’m of the opinion that it’ll fail within three years.
The scam is that Oprah got 50% of the channel without having to put any of her own money into the deal. Discovery got taken by Oprah.
A reverse take under, a new wall street tactic.
“Beginning in 2016, Oprah can require Discovery to “purchase all or part of (her) interest in OWN.”
Man did Discovery ever get suckered. So they take all the risk and she’s suppose to get the rewards?
weird.
I have seen Oprah/Chopra on the road with her feel good religion.
It isn’t all that compelling. But, I did like watching Ted Turner last week.
Other than that??????
Starr report
http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/starr_report_zFfhCRgHirbURX9bSQw0fM
The way things are going, “Oprah’s Next Chapter” could be ratings bankruptcy.
Winfrey’s OWN show sunk to an all-time ratings low this past Sunday night, corralling a paltry 355,000 viewers who watched the first of Winfrey’s two-part foray into Brooklyn’s Hasidic culture. Numbers for Part 2, which aired Monday night, weren’t available at press time (or “cyber” press time, in this case).
SNIP
In any event, “Next Chapter” has fallen steadily and drastically after reaching a high of 1.6 million viewers in its second episode. From there it’s fallen to 501,000 viewers (Jan. 15), 557,000 viewers (Jan. 22) and 498,000 viewers (Jan. 29).
Not good, any way you slice it.
I can’t get upset with Winfrey because she took Discovery to the cleaners. They just miscalculated how important she is. 100% their fault. LOL!
I sitll think OWN will fall flat on its face. If you don’t have the viewers you dont’ have a show. How come her friend Gayle left? Isn’t Rosie’s show in trouble???? I thought I read about that. Sort of sad that after all these years that Oprah has to call and ask pepople to watch HER show instead of the emmys or grammys or whatever it was that was on opposite her.
She was at one time a STAR! Now? I believe she is finding out she cannot be what she was before. She was a giant at one time but...that time is OVER. I guess I can never understand people who just can’t stop searching for the spotlight all the time. Like the clintins and most of hollywood. It’s TIME oprah...bow out GRACEFULLY.
Oh well, I don’t watch so whatever happens doesn’t matter to me. On TV or Off... I don’t watch her show.
Oprah who?
I put her, Colin Powell, Warren Buffet & Jon Stewart in the same category. These are 4 that I detest.
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