OWN to Undergo Restructure

LOS ANGELES: OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is restructuring its operations in New York and Los Angeles, cutting 30 positions and redistributing the responsibilities among the network and its partners Discovery Communications and Harpo Studios.

As part of the restructure, Neal Kirsch, the CFO of Discovery’s U.S. networks, will be moving to OWN in the role of chief operating officer and chief financial officer. Kirsch will report directly to Erik Logan and Sheri Salata, co-presidents. Tina Perry, the VP of business and legal affairs at OWN, will now oversee the department, teaming up with Lee Bartlett, the executive VP of global production management, business and legal affairs at Discovery. Michelle Holt, the VP of production at OWN, will now oversee production management. Ian Parmiter, the senior VP of marketing at Discovery Ad Sales, will oversee integrated marketing for OWN.

“It is difficult to make tough business decisions that affect people’s lives,” said Oprah Winfrey, the CEO and chief creative officer at OWN, “but the economics of a start-up cable network just don’t work with the cost structure that was in place. As CEO, I have a responsibility to chart the course for long-term success for the network. To wholly achieve that long-term success, this was a necessary next step.”

Logan commented, “We have been on the air for 15 months, and since September we have gained momentum in ratings and viewership. Restructuring our business will allow us to build a solid foundation for long-term growth.”