OPRAH WINFREY - OPRAH REMAINS TV'S TOP EARNER

OPRAH REMAINS TV'S TOP EARNER

Television networks may spend the lion's share of their budgets on primetime television shows, but if you're a TV personality, the big bucks are not in primetime, judging from Forbes magazine's latest list of television's top-earning performers. Topping the TV20 list once again is Oprah Winfrey, who earned $260 million between June 2006 and June 2007. Somewhat surprisingly Jerry Seinfeld comes in a distant second with $60 million, most of it earned from syndication. No. 3 on the list, with $45 million, is Simon Cowell, the judge and co-producer of Fox's American Idol. No. 4, with $40 million, is David Letterman. Donald Trump, the only billionaire on the list besides Oprah, earned $32 million from his The Apprentice shows, to land at No. 5. Only one TV network anchor made the list -- Katie Couric, who came in at No. 14 with 15 million. But her former Today co-host, Matt Lauer also made the list with $13 million, while Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer tied for No. 18 with $12 million. Meredith Vieira, who replaced Couric on Today, entered the list for the first time, coming in at No. 20 with $10 million. The only primetime actor to land on the Forbes' list was Keifer Sutherland, star of Fox's 24.

28/09/2007