CBS - OPRAH'S DEPARTURE WON'T HURT CBS, SAYS ANALYST

OPRAH'S DEPARTURE WON'T HURT CBS, SAYS ANALYST

CBS's syndication arm is not expected to take a big hit when The Oprah Winfrey Show ends its run in Sept. 2011, Broadcasting & Cable reported today (Monday), citing a J.P. Morgan research note. "We think Oprah's significance is likely overblown for CBS," the note reads, noting that while the show accounts for about $300 million in total revenue, Winfrey and her Harpo Productions receive more than $250 million of that amount. "So while the loss of a longstanding distribution deal is disappointing for CBS, it's hardly a material hit to numbers, in our view," the J.P. Morgan note said. The CBS syndication unit, B&C noted, earns far more from Judge Judy and Entertainment Tonight than it does from Oprah.

23/11/2009