Oprah's OWN network shifting focus on African-American audience

This would be a great opportunity for Oprah to continue to connect with an African American audience. There are definitely a couple of shows on the network that I pay close attention to because the people look like me. I think if she improves her programming to be include more current information, she may have a shot. I think it is finally time for Iyanla Vanzant to have her show on the OWN network. She could take the time slot that is vacant now that Gayle has moved to CBS. Just a thought...

Executives at OWN think they may have found a way to salvage Oprah Winfrey's struggling network: By catering more to an African-American audience. That may help ratings, but it would mean a dramatic shift, and one that could put the channel at odds with Winfrey's own brand.

According to OWN president Erik Logan and Discovery Communications CEO David Zaslav, the silver lining in an otherwise bleak performance record for the network since its launch last January is that it's performing particularly well among its African-Americans audience members--especially with a reality show called Sweetie Pies that premiered in October.

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