No. 1: Oprah Winfrey
With an estimated net worth of over $1 billion, an Academy Award nomination, an Emmy-winning hit talk show, an XM satellite radio show, successful magazines (O, The Oprah Magazine, along with O at Home), and a cable channel (Oxygen Media, which she co-founded), Winfrey is an international media phenomenon. But even Winfrey, whom some considered so powerful that her campaigning for President Obama sealed him the election, has been vulnerable as of late. First, her school for girls in South Africa was hit with the second sexual harassment scandal in two years. Then she took a drubbing in Newsweek for supposedly giving a platform to dicey new age medicines. And, over the years, her ratings, though still the highest on daytime TV, continue to dwindle. Nevertheless, Oprah is still considered one of the most powerful forces in television--and the world.
With an estimated net worth of over $1 billion, an Academy Award nomination, an Emmy-winning hit talk show, an XM satellite radio show, successful magazines (O, The Oprah Magazine, along with O at Home), and a cable channel (Oxygen Media, which she co-founded), Winfrey is an international media phenomenon. But even Winfrey, whom some considered so powerful that her campaigning for President Obama sealed him the election, has been vulnerable as of late. First, her school for girls in South Africa was hit with the second sexual harassment scandal in two years. Then she took a drubbing in Newsweek for supposedly giving a platform to dicey new age medicines. And, over the years, her ratings, though still the highest on daytime TV, continue to dwindle. Nevertheless, Oprah is still considered one of the most powerful forces in television--and the world.
No. 2: Diane Sawyer
Sawyer has spent virtually her entire career in front of the cameras. She was the first female co-anchor on 60 Minutes and has co-hosted Primetime Live and 20/20. She reported from Ground Zero after 9/11, interviewed George W. Bush after Hurricane Katrina, and spoken extensively with President Obama. She was even suspected of being Watergate's Deep Throat (she was not). It's safe to say that the glamorous Sawyer, married to director Mike Nichols, is one of the most important female news reporters of our time. These days, her current gig is as an anchor on Good Morning America, but much of her influence in media comes from the prime-time specials that she does for ABC, including recent special reports on Obama's health care reform plan and poverty in Appalachia.
Sawyer has spent virtually her entire career in front of the cameras. She was the first female co-anchor on 60 Minutes and has co-hosted Primetime Live and 20/20. She reported from Ground Zero after 9/11, interviewed George W. Bush after Hurricane Katrina, and spoken extensively with President Obama. She was even suspected of being Watergate's Deep Throat (she was not). It's safe to say that the glamorous Sawyer, married to director Mike Nichols, is one of the most important female news reporters of our time. These days, her current gig is as an anchor on Good Morning America, but much of her influence in media comes from the prime-time specials that she does for ABC, including recent special reports on Obama's health care reform plan and poverty in Appalachia.
No. 3: Barbara Walters
At 79, Walters shows no signs of slowing down. She appears on the hit talk fest she created, The View, at least three times a week, and continues to draw big numbers for her ABC specials. This year's Oscar night heart-to-hearts were with teen idols the Jonas Brothers and comeback nominee Mickey Rourke; she's recently done specials with Michelle Obama, Farrah Fawcett and Patrick Swayze. Her memoir, Audition, published in 2008, offered a shocker: that Walters once had an affair with a married African-American senator. It also dished on the behind-the-scenes turmoil of The View, including the high-profile exits of Star Jones and Rosie O'Donnell.
At 79, Walters shows no signs of slowing down. She appears on the hit talk fest she created, The View, at least three times a week, and continues to draw big numbers for her ABC specials. This year's Oscar night heart-to-hearts were with teen idols the Jonas Brothers and comeback nominee Mickey Rourke; she's recently done specials with Michelle Obama, Farrah Fawcett and Patrick Swayze. Her memoir, Audition, published in 2008, offered a shocker: that Walters once had an affair with a married African-American senator. It also dished on the behind-the-scenes turmoil of The View, including the high-profile exits of Star Jones and Rosie O'Donnell.
No. 4: Ellen DeGeneres
DeGeneres has been the host of her eponymous and 25-time Daytime Emmy award-winning show since 2003, and it consistently draws the biggest names in entertainment and news. DeGeneres has managed to advocate for her social interests (animal welfare, gay rights) while keeping the show light and popular with the masses. She recently broadcast her 1,000th show with guests Oprah Winfrey and Justin Timberlake. She hosted the Oscars in 2007, became a face of Cover Girl cosmetics last year and has an upcoming variety show to be aired on TBS, not to mention a partnership with American Greetings to launch a line of greeting cards. In 2008, she married her longtime partner, actress Portia de Rossi.
DeGeneres has been the host of her eponymous and 25-time Daytime Emmy award-winning show since 2003, and it consistently draws the biggest names in entertainment and news. DeGeneres has managed to advocate for her social interests (animal welfare, gay rights) while keeping the show light and popular with the masses. She recently broadcast her 1,000th show with guests Oprah Winfrey and Justin Timberlake. She hosted the Oscars in 2007, became a face of Cover Girl cosmetics last year and has an upcoming variety show to be aired on TBS, not to mention a partnership with American Greetings to launch a line of greeting cards. In 2008, she married her longtime partner, actress Portia de Rossi.
No. 5: Tyra Banks
Banks is officially no longer a supermodel--she's become a media mogul. Her hit model reality show, America's Next Top Model, now in its 11th cycle, continues to be an anchor show for the CW network. Her second series, an eponymous daytime syndicated chat fest, pulls in less than half of what Oprah does in the ratings but draws a younger, more coveted audience. Additionally, her company, Bankable Productions, has a deal with Warner Brothers, which has resulted in Stylista, a Devil Wears Prada-type reality show for CW, and True Beauty, a prime-time "inner beauty" contest series on ABC. In March, so many mannequin wannabes showed up for an ANTM audition that a stampede ensued and several lovelies were reportedly injured.
Banks is officially no longer a supermodel--she's become a media mogul. Her hit model reality show, America's Next Top Model, now in its 11th cycle, continues to be an anchor show for the CW network. Her second series, an eponymous daytime syndicated chat fest, pulls in less than half of what Oprah does in the ratings but draws a younger, more coveted audience. Additionally, her company, Bankable Productions, has a deal with Warner Brothers, which has resulted in Stylista, a Devil Wears Prada-type reality show for CW, and True Beauty, a prime-time "inner beauty" contest series on ABC. In March, so many mannequin wannabes showed up for an ANTM audition that a stampede ensued and several lovelies were reportedly injured.
UPO HAPO KAMA UNAHITAJI USHAHIDI GONGA HAPA; http://http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/14/most-influential-women-in-media-forbes-woman-power-women-oprah-winfrey.html
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