After months and months of slow, arduous ratings attempts, OWN has seen some improvement in recent months, largely due to Oprah Winfrey’s increased presence on her network. Now, the network has entered a new deal that will hopefully post new gains for OWN. Actor, director, and writer Tyler Perry will be joining the team at OWN in a multi-year deal that will include two scripted programs.
The two upcoming programs from Tyler Perry have not been fully developed yet, however Entertainment Weekly is reporting they will be airing sometime in 2013. In his normal multitasking fashion, Perry will be executive producing, directing and writing each of the series.
The partnership should be a win for both OWN and Perry. In the past, the man’s comedies have done pretty well on television. Tyler Perry’s House of Payne even nabbed the number one cable comedy debut ratings when it began airing. Given more opportunities to produce for television should prove lucrative for the man, but for OWN, it’s also an opportunity to branch into scripted works.
“I have been looking forward to the day when we would be in the position to enter the world of scripted television. That day has come. We are all energized by the opportunity to collaborate with Tyler who has a proven track record for producing highly successful cable series.”
In other words, they think he’s a sure bet. Honestly, they should be correct. Perry has a proven track record in the TV industry. Regardless, back in December, Oprah stated she was specifically not looking to move the network toward a more African American-oriented audience. If anyone’s works are popular with an African American audience, it’s Tyler Perry. Oprah could very well be changing her mind, and it may just end up being OWN's saving grace.
