Entertainment
Oprah Turns to Black Viewers For OWN
Black viewers have caused a spike in viewership for Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network, according to Black America Web.
As a result of programs like “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” (734,000 viewers) “Iyanla: Fix My Life” (742,000 viewers) and high-profile guests including Whitney Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina (3.5 million viewers), pop star Rihanna, (2.5 million) and Usher, (1.5 million) OWN has benefited from the incorporation of more black shows and has attracted a much larger African American female audience.
In addition, OWN will soon be adding two series by Tyler Perry: drama series “The Have and the Have Nots” and the comedy “Love Thy Neighbor.
According to Black America Web, OWN is not the only network to be boosted by African-American viewers.
MSNBC recently reported a huge increase in its overall ratings, a 20% increase, in 2012, and a staggering 60.5% increase specifically among black viewers during the past year. MSNBC leads CNN and Fox News with black viewership.