Oprah's Ratings Slip While Magazine Circulation Falls

New York Times:

Oprah Winfrey is still the queen of all media, but her crown is beginning to look a bit tarnished.

The average audience for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" has fallen nearly 7 percent this year, according to Nielsen Media Research -- its third straight year of decline. "Oprah's Big Give," an ABC philanthropic reality show, beat every program on television except "American Idol" in its premiere week this winter, but steadily lost nearly one-third of its audience during the rest of its eight-week run, according to Nielsen.

The circulation of O, The Oprah Magazine, has fallen by more than 10 percent in the last three years, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, and the magazine is now seeking a new editor in chief after the announced retirement of its longtime steward, Amy Gross.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[macbabe]

I tried her "O"magazine, but I am allergic to the heavy scent and it makes my skin itch just being near it, WHY do they have to drown the magazine in fragrance???

[vandegrasse]

Tommy: Oprah's having problems!
Madge: Don't gloat, Tommy.
Tommy: Who's gloating! Who's Oprah:
http://youtube.com/user/salariatus

[RobinL]

Oprah's just gotten crabbier with age. She says some things that are downright insulting to some of her guests and I think the drop has something more to do with that than politics. Maybe it's menopause. That and the psychological effect of having so many people struggling to make it in this economy. Maybe people don't want to get advice from someone that privileged anymore.

[toocoldout]

Or maybe the drop in ratings is because her show has been dominating daytime TV since 1986! I think it's astonishing that she's still still number one in the ratings after 22 straight years. No other entertainer has had the marketing genius and creativity to stay that relevant for that long. They should be praising her for her incredible longevity, not nitpicking over a 7% drop in ratings, especially when her show is still number one.

[CrabbyGolightly]

She hasn't received enough media praise for you? Geesh. If you want to praise her more, then fall to your knees and pray in the privacy of your own home.

[toocoldout]

All TV shows and magazines are declining because of competetion from the web. The article says Oprah's show is still #1, and her Dr. Phil is still #2, and until Ellen catches up with either, she's in damn good shape. Besides she's now worth billions & probably no longer cares.

[saun8934]

Her drop in ratings if people read the entire story started 3 years ago. She endorsed Obama what a year agi if that? Please, people are probably just getting tired. I know that I watch her just about everyday. It really dosen't matter anyway Oprah is a billionare. I am sure she will continue to find ways to add to her billions! Go Oprah Go! Let the haters hate.

[bellenoir55]

I totally agree! If these naysayers didn't have a flicker of interest,they would have neither read or replied to this story.

[NoneyaBizniss]

It has little to do with her endorsement of Obama, otherwise all Hollywood would be sinking.

Oprah became "Oprah" by being genuine, by being real, by being herself. Her real self is no longer even remotely connected to the average American woman.

Worse, her fame and fortune have made her so self-protective that when she tries to seem real she looks more phony than ever. And even her upper-middle class viewers can't relate to the woo-woo she's been pushing lately.

Oprah should have learned from Jerry Seinfeld: Quit while you're on top and leave 'em begging for more. She should have shut down her show 6 years ago.

[SifSkade]

I say she should hang in there until she does for at least one Black person what she's done for that horrific fraud "Dr." Phil and for Rachael Ray. Then she can feel free to retire.

[toocoldout]

She already has: Obama.

[sherbug]

You are right, Oprah used to be real. I remember she used to talk about real issues. The last time I looked at Oprah was when she and Bette Midler were talking about $500.00 stationery. I don't think I have ever watched her show again.

But, I don't think we should cry for Oprah. She is wealthy beyond any of our imaginations and show or no show, she will still be wealthy.

[ROBOT8]

OVER EXPOSURE???????? CAN YOU SAY,,,MICHAEL JACKSON?????????

[NoSillyName]

Oh dear, how can that be?! TheBigO, Queen of all Media. Her crown can't be slipping. Say it ain't so!

[speakingtruth2power]

Whose magazine is not falling?

[mergina]

I guess that means she will only make about 180 million this year instead of 220 million. What a drag.
NO ONE is worth that much moolah for having a sad talk show.

[Mort]

The cleansing must be working. With any luck, in a few more days she'll be gone!

[xmw]

How many of you find this to be a little more than just coincidental? Oprah's ratings brgin to fall after she announced he support for Obama. It wasn't as noticible at first because at the time she did he was not having the winning that has since catapulted him. Hillary supporters are upset. Once again i see division. Suddenly "ellen" tops Oprah. I always predicted ths election would divide the country racially like O.J. Simpson did.

[pupbayer]

A lot of people don't want their entertainment sullied by politics. Entertainment is something they do to get away from the stresses of the day not to add to them.

[robXdion]

But entertainment is reflective of the politics of life. Which is just a euphemism for sociology.

So for the confused, that's politics of life=sociology=escape=entertainment.

[CrazyDemocrat]

I think Oprah can live on the few dollars she already has in the bank......But VP isn't going to give her the income she is used to