14 DAY TRIAL // This isn’t going to help those rumors about how the OWN Network is failing: Oprah Winfrey has announced that The Rosie Show with Rosie O’Donnell would not be picked up for a second season, mostly because of disappointing ratings.
Oprah, or the Queen of Media, as she’s dubbed in the press, launched her own network after the success of her syndicated show.
Since then, she’s been trying hard to turn it into a ratings winner, often having to shut down rumors that she was about to have the biggest flop of her career.
The latest announcement will be of no use to her in terms of proving naysayers wrong: she and Rosie have parted ways.
In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Oprah says the decision not to renew The Rosie Show for a second season can only be explained by a low interest on viewers’ part.
At the end of the day, economics dictate the fate of one project or another.
“I thank Rosie from the bottom of my heart for joining me on this journey. As I have learned in the last 15 months, a new network launch is always a challenge and ratings grow over time as you continue to gather an audience. I’m grateful to Rosie and the dedicated Rosie Show team for giving it their all,” Oprah says.
Rosie too seems to harbor no ill feeling over the failed attempt at winning over audiences.
In a separate statement, this time to E! Online, she says she’s thankful she was given the chance in the first place.
“I loved working with Oprah in the amazing city of Chicago. I was welcomed with open arms and will never forget the kindness of all I encountered,” Rosie says.
“It was a great year for me – I wish the show was able to attract more viewers – but it did not. So I am headed back to my home in New York – with gratitude. On we go!” she adds.
The Rosie Show premiered to 500,000 viewers, and ended up averaging 230,000 towards the end of the season.