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Oprah’s Departure Signals End of an Era, With Economics, Demographics and Changes in Society Combining to Reshape Daytime TV

May 9, 2011  •  Post A Comment

As Oprah Winfrey tapes her last daytime syndicated show this month, speculation has begun as to whether daytime television will ever produce another huge star–and what the future holds for daytime TV, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Winfrey’s departure comes as daytime TV is undergoing an upheaval, due to demographic and societal changes, which make it unlikely that another personality as popular as Winfrey could emerge, the piece says.

Soap operas are declining in popularity as women continue to enter the work force and look for more inspirational programming that shows women in charge of their lives, such as "The View" or "Judge Judy," the piece notes. Viewers under 35 aren’t as loyal to networks or programs, the article adds.

TV stations aren’t likely to pay as much for the shows that will replace Winfrey, even if they are hosted by Anderson Cooper or Katie Couric, the story says. TV stations have suffered as they’ve lost viewers to cable and the Web The recession has also dented ad sales, leading syndicators to take less money for their programs, the article notes.

2 Comments

  1. I disagree with you that viewers under 35 aren’t as loyal to networks or programs.
    There may be a lot more networks and many more programming choices but it’s the networks who are no longer loyal, not the viewer.
    If the networks gave the viewers a chance to discover a program, those viewers will tune in and watch for many years.
    Unfortunately, the networks don’t invest in the viewers as much as they do the advertisers.

  2. Terrence speaks words of wisdom. Loyalty is something that must be earned over a period of time.

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