Christina Norman Fired: Oprah Winfrey Network Chief Let Go As Channel Struggles

NEW YORK — In the wake of initial disappointing ratings for OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, its head, Christina Norman, has abruptly left the 4-month-old channel.

The network announced Friday that Peter Liguori, the chief operating officer for Discovery Communications, will take over on an interim basis. His appointment is effective immediately.

OWN, which premiered on Jan. 1, is jointly owned by Discovery and Winfrey's Harpo, Inc.

Winfrey said she and Liguori will work together the reminder of this year to recruit a permanent CEO for the network's "next phase of growth."

Winfrey added that with the end of her syndicated talk show this month, she can devote her full energies to OWN.

Norman, formerly president of MTV, arrived at OWN in January 2009.

Comments

[gisellestwocents]

10:23 PM on 06/17/2011

My week is so full, I have often intended to watch something on OWN on a Sunday or Tuesday night, but I'm not watching the channel regularly, so I forget!! The channel needs a solid, consistent DAILY line up of quality programming -- soap operas, reality shows ... "Love Boat" re-runs ...a poetry slam night... whatever. Something that will have people tuning in on a daily basis. Also, It was a huge mistake to start OWN while still doing the syndicated show. Gail is a lovely person, but she just doesn't have that pizazz. People want to watch OPRAH INTERACTING with her guests and audience members. She needs to do a show on at least a weekly basis. She might also have Ali Wentworth in a regular spot. Or Maria Shriver! They could do alternate days maybe...

I plan to watch the shows about Tatum and Ryan Oneal and Fergie and I watched the Lisa Ling specials, the Judds and Shania Twain. The behind the scenes was interesting initially, but it became rather duplicative since I was watching the actual final product and I got the idea of how a show is put together after watching the first few.

I very much want to support OWN, but where's the beef?

[donnyboy44]

06:57 PM on 05/10/2011

She knows she doesn't have to worry. I'm sure that Barack has put a little money aside for her from his 'stash'.

[Opt1musPr1me]

10:41 AM on 05/10/2011

These people have no patience. What did she expect to happen with the network in 4 months? Its a new network in a vast ocean of other networks, its going to take a while for it to stand out. Christina Norman should take legal action. Then again she could land back at MTV as CEO being that Judy McGrath stepped down. Who knows!!

[gisellestwocents]

10:26 PM on 06/17/2011

You're assuming that she was fired. Maybe she just left in frustration. She definitely shouldn't have been fired. It does take time and I'm quite sure that she wasn't the only decisionmaker...

[alans0222]

09:57 AM on 05/10/2011

In another few weeks she becomes even more irrelevant than she is now.

[msstrick40]

03:31 AM on 05/10/2011

Maybe most are over-saturated with Oprah.

[Benjamin Sisko]

04:07 PM on 05/09/2011

She needs to use this network to push the envelope. No one wants more of Dr. Phil and Gayle has already failed as a talk show host. Where's the innovation?

[WSS61]

06:17 PM on 05/09/2011

I use to be a devoted fan. However, as her empire grew, so did Oprah's ego; her displays of compassion now seem disingenuous, and her self promotion is becoming a fast second to Donald Trump!

[msstrick40]

03:26 AM on 05/10/2011

You know....I saw that myself. She has shown a lot of videos of her past 25 years....and as the years grow....her tears seem just a little on the fake side.

She had the "Freedom Riders" on last week...and I just don't believe it touched her in any way.....but she sure turned on the water-works on cue.

[Sherrie714]

03:52 PM on 05/09/2011

I know what is wrong with her network. Have you ever seen the lineup of movies and shows??? Oprah Behind the scences ? The Judds?? Shania Twain??? Why?? Just shoot me now. I'm watching animal planet. At least River Monsters is exciting!!! All of the movies are 20 years old (The color purple, message in a bottle, etc). She needs some youth and swag on her staff.

[queenmarcy]

03:07 PM on 05/09/2011

Has anyone mentioned that OWN is only offered on the Comcast upper tiers? I'm not sure about the others like Dish and DirecTV, but Comcast/Xfinity is a major US provider. This can have major impact on the channel's ratings, and ultimately OWN's advertising rates and revenue.

[msstrick40]

03:30 AM on 05/10/2011

I have Time Warner....and it's on basic here.

[gisellestwocents]

10:30 PM on 06/17/2011

That's true. I had to have premium to get it and I had problems finding the actual channel initially.

[howiseveryone]

02:26 PM on 05/09/2011

I thought this was going to be one place on the dial I was going to enjoy. Boy was I wrong. Any
time I flip it all I see is a clutter mess or worse. Even Gayle's morning show is boring. God
she can't even mention the President. There trying to be to please everyone hence you please no
one.

[dandidan]

01:49 PM on 05/09/2011

I think most audiences have had their fill of Oprah. She's made millions and is reported she is the wealthiest TV personality. Why doesn't she just fade off like Phil Donahue did and give other people a chance at stardom.

[Lolasmom]

11:36 AM on 05/09/2011

there is such a thing as too much of a good thing! Wall to wall Oprah, can be hazardous to one's health.

[Laws4Sale]

01:32 PM on 05/09/2011

then... you don't get a car and you don't get a car and nobody gets a car!

LOL

[Benjamin Sisko]

03:57 PM on 05/09/2011

LOL x2!!! Since she was "giving" Pontiacs away, I would have passed anyway. Not worth the prize tax payment. Fanned and faved.

[G Goo]

09:05 AM on 05/10/2011

When will you all realize that Oprah NEVER gave away any cars; the car companies gave them away. Then some people couldn't even pay the taxes on them.

Oprah NEVER sent her audience on a paid trip to Australia. This was paid for by the Australian government (i.e. the taxpayers of Australia).
She is a total FAKE.

[GeneQueen]

11:14 AM on 05/09/2011

This last season of the Oprah show has been fascinating, most interesting has been the Behind the Scenes show. However, the programming on the OWN network, other than the competition for the "win your own show," has been a major snore. The Judds? Who cares. Shania Twain? Snore fest. Rosie O'Donnell? Old news (boring, too). Gayle King? Love her, but good only for daytime TV. The evening lineup on OWN has been a major disappointment. I'm hoping that Zack's travel show, for people who are physically challenged (he won the competition for his own show) should be a blast (he's hilarious and insightful), but other than that, OWN has totally missed the mark. Makes one wonder who is running the ship.

[Aldyth]

10:02 AM on 05/09/2011

Who cares?

[Schoolgirl666]

09:58 AM on 05/09/2011

Maybe she needs a show about paint drying.....

[Pegi]

09:30 AM on 05/09/2011

Oprah will turn this around no problem. Starting a new network must be a headache and heartache and a half. I wish her all the best. I shall miss watching her shows every day. She has changed the hearts and minds of many over the years. I hope she does something similar on OWN when things settle down.