There has been a lot of talk lately about whether the Oprah Winfrey Network Channel is going to survive. According to the latest article that I read online, Oprah is restructuring and eliminating 30 positions in the process.
I personally have never watched the OWN channel because I refuse to pay extra money to get premium channels. So I do not watch Housewives of Atlanta, Mob Wives, nor any other "wives" reality shows.
With this said, I am thinking that Oprah's target market to help teach, enlighten, and raise awareness probably does not have access to her precious OWN channel.
I was willing to pay on demand to watch that interview with the Whitney Houston family, but I could not find anyone that could get the channel and wanted to see the interview. Some could get the channel but did not want to watch the interview. Others just did not have access to the channel.
What's even more interesting is that the interview re-aired over and over again. So if you did not catch the first airing, then there were many more opportunities to come. With so many opportunities to watch it seems to give people less urgency to watch the first airing.
So there is something to be said to be broadcast on one of the major networks; more people have free access to watch ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, the CW, etc. There is also something to be said about "full programming" networks. There are less repeats of the same episode.
CNN is an exception because many public venues will show CNN in their establishments. I can watch CNN at my local McDonald's fast food restaurant. There are probably a few other premium channels that hotels and venues make available such as the Weather Channel.
On a separate note, I caught an episode of Dr. Phil which is an Oprah Winfrey production, and I thought that I was watching the "Maury" show. Dr. Phil had paternity test results and a love triangle including the parents of the teenagers involved. I was in shock.
As far as the Dr. Oz show, I think people are getting tired of buying all of the dietary supplements to speed up the metabolism and lose weight. Again, Dr. Oz is an Oprah Winfrey production.
So the question is did Oprah Winfrey reach her peak and is now spiraling down? I think so. Her peak looks to be her original prime time talk show.
Dr. Oz may need to step aside and give Oprah Winfrey her time slot back sooner than later.
OWN channel has been in the news again. The article from "tvweek.com" mentioned that most tv channels gain an audience then picks up advertisers. Oprah started OWN with advertisers, but she has failed to build a true audience. My television plan still does not include the OWN channel. Most people who can access her channel can also access the "Housewives reality shows" and other "reality shows" full of "drama." I do not see those same people adding "Oprah" to their DVR list. She needs to move the OWN channel into the "broadcast basic" lineup as far as cable is concerned, then I can watch it.
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