Oprah Winfrey Network’s chief executive, Christina Norman was axed after the four-month old cable network struggled to win ratings. Peter Ligouri, Chief Operating Officer of Discovery Communications, a co-owner of OWN will take over her position temporarily. Liguori was president of entertainment for Fox Broadcasting company before joining Discovery in 2009. In 1998, he was president and CEO of News Corp.‘s FX Networks.
Oprah’s OWN had a tough time gaining viewers since it started in January. In a memo, Winfrey said that a different kind of leadership is needed for the next phase of OWN. She thanked Norman for her valuable contribution to the network.
According to the Nielsen ratings, OWN has an average of 148,000 viewers daily, just a little above the channel it replaced, Discovery Health.
In the coming weeks, Winfrey will focus on improving the network’s shows to boost its ratings. “With the final taping of ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ only a few weeks away, I will soon be able to devote my full energies to OWN,” she said in a statement. “This is a natural point of transition, and I am confident that Peter, as an integral part of the launch of OWN, will be a terrific partner for me going forward.”
“The Oprah Winfrey Show” at ABC will have its last airing on May 25.
Discovery CEO David Zaslav said last month that OWN’s ratings had been “below our expectations.” OWN broadcast mostly female-oriented programs revolving around lifestyle, advice and feel-good shows.
Discovery has committed to invest $215 million to the network, $57 million of this for the first quarter alone. The management said they are committed to make the brand successful. Close to $200 million was committed by advertisers such as Procter & Gamble and General Motors with the network. Last month, OWN made an overhaul of its programs to calm the jittery nerves of its advertisers due to low ratings.
Key upcoming series debuts include WHY NOT? WITH SHANIA TWAIN and FINDING SARAH, with the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson. Some strong performing series include SEASON 25: OPRAH BEHIND THE SCENES, OUR AMERICA WITH LISA LING and THE JUDDS.
They are also planning to produce 400 hours of primetime original programming this year in a bid to boost its ratings. Liguori will alos oversee the launching of Winfrey’s flagship show, “Oprah’s Next Chapter,” in January 2012.
Some speculate that Judy McGrath, a former MTV executive like Norman is a shoo in to be her permanent replacement. But it is also believed that Liguori will stay as CEO of OWN for at least a year.
Read Also
