King Makes Oprah New Talk Czar

摘要

In an unexpected move, King World CEO Roger King has turned over talk-show development for the giant syndicator to the queen of talk shows and his No. 1 star, Oprah Winfrey. Oprah's first show is likely to debut in the fall of 2006. King declined to elaborate on plans, saying it's too early in the process to comment. It's an unusual move for King, who rarely admits that someone can do a job better than he can. "The person who develops the next hit will probably be Oprah Winfrey," he says. King is an innovator who has changed the way syndicated fare is sold, distributed, marketed and scheduled. Perfecting the art of selling shows years in advance, he persuaded TV stations covering more than 80% of the U.S. to agree to air Oprah through 2011. King's skills as a salesman may be legendary, but his record is spotty when it comes to developing talk shows. Of his last five attempts, only one is a hit. That show, Dr. Phil, was created by Winfrey's Harpo Productions as an Oprah spinoff.