Co-founder Oprah Winfrey’s Oxygen network is being sued by American Youth Symphony, the producer of “America’s Hot Musician,” for $100 million. AYS claims the cable network frustrated its attempts to air the paid program to the point where its production was canceled by the producer.
According to a release from AYS, “Musician” was cleared and scheduled to air on Oxygen in July in a paid-program format. However, after payment for the first episode, Oxygen sent AYS a cease-and-desist letter, ordering AYS to stop using the cable network’s name in advertisements for the show.
AYS pulled the show after finding it difficult to promote “Musician” without using the Oxygen name.
The suit was filed with the U.S. District Court in Washington.
“‘America’s Hot Musician’ is not Oxygen programming. It is paid programming. American Youth Symphony purchased time (via a third party) to exhibit the program on Oxygen, but Oxygen elected not to exhibit the program due to clearance issues as well as issues with the manner in which American Youth Symphony was using the Oxygen name and trademark,” Oxygen said in a statement.
(Editor: Horowitz)
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Comments (12)
Oprah is gonna kick 'yall you know what!
Gooooood luck with this one, yer gonna need it.
Posted by Missy | July 26, 2007 7:00 AM
I just wanted to be second!!!!
Posted by Thickness | July 26, 2007 9:53 AM
yall just want to sue oprah cause she got all that dam money but yall wrong an you now it
Posted by kim | July 26, 2007 10:10 AM
Oprah hasn't had anything to do with Oxygen for years. For better or for worse.
Posted by notbitter | July 26, 2007 10:58 AM
Oprah hasn't had anything to do with Oxygen for years. For better or for worse.
Posted by notbitter | July 26, 2007 10:59 AM
everybody wants a piece of oprah pie
Posted by BABESBLINGANDBOOZE.BLOGSPOT>>> | July 26, 2007 1:44 PM
I have never heard of Oxygen, but I am aware of correct grammar, which is not present in the comments made above. I can only hope you are not African American, if you are African American, please, find books to read to improve your grammar. Poor grammar is disappointing. Remember, if you are arguing a point, grammar is extremely important to make your point clear, otherwise, the argument is null. By the way, I am African American, and I try to use correct grammar when writing.
Posted by Alva | July 27, 2007 8:47 AM
This is America and you may all express yourselves in any manner you choose, regardless of Alva's opinions. I understood what you were all trying to express perfectly. Due to your commitment in your ways of expression they are now teaching AAE in college courses as a requirement for most writing and english majors. AAE being African American English a.k.a Ebonics....GET ON OUR LEVEL!!!!!!
Posted by Damali | July 27, 2007 4:41 PM
This is America and you may all express yourselves in any manner you choose, regardless of Alva's opinions. I understood what you were all trying to express perfectly. Due to your commitment in your ways of expression they are now teaching AAE in college courses as a requirement for most writing and english majors. AAE being African American English a.k.a Ebonics....GET ON OUR LEVEL!!!!!!
Posted by Damali | July 27, 2007 4:41 PM
I know someone who actually auditioned for this show and made it. In a day and age where musical talent is dwindling I thought the premiere of this show would possibly be able to show people what we are missing. I was extremely disappointed to find out that it will not be picked up be oxygen. I truly hope that another major network will see the necessity of a program such as this and try to put it on the air. Music is really missing that vibe that can fill up your heart, change your mind, or change the world. Some of these musicians are looking to bring us all back to a place where music has some longevity and can be known as legendary and memorable.
Posted by misschris | August 4, 2007 11:14 PM
Im a Bassist and have been playing for only a year this girl playing bass and judging others only play 2 out of 5 strings I should be on the panel at least get some talent to judge talent.
I have seen the band she came from Kittie and its no wonder she isnt in the band she couldnt play what the band plays now.
I have to agree with the people above I am sure Oprah and Oxygen wanted to stay at arms length from such a horrid show. Not to mention the man is a bully and has an extreme ego problem .This is probably why he chose less talented people to sit on the panel than himself he is not much more talented than the other 2
Posted by Gary | August 22, 2007 10:23 AM
I also know somebody who audition and made it all the way to the house (which means he now awaits the show to publicly air so they he can be voted forward or off)...
and yes, the dude judge is an ass, and the bass chick probably sucks.. the other one being very hot..
but all that aside, if I were AYS I would be pissed as well... They're paying money to air the show on the Ox network, but theyre not allowed to tell people that its on the Ox network? wtf is that?
thats like buying a movie ticket online at a website that doesnt even say what theater its playing at..
Posted by bD | September 13, 2007 11:12 AM