With the breakout success of Tyler Perry‘s The Haves and the Have Nots, the forthcoming reality series Crazy.Sexy.Life and the newly-added unscripted show Houston Beauty, it’s clear that Oprah Winfrey‘s OWN is now aiming for a certain kind of target audience. And it’s working.
Her newest effort documents the Franklin Beauty School in Houston, TX as aspiring stylists attempt to navigate their way through difficult lessons inside and outside of the classroom. The synopsis states:
“The Jemison Family has owned and operated Franklin Beauty School for over 98 years, making it one of the oldest beauty schools in the country. They run a tight ship, but they aren’t always prepared for what will walk through their doors.
For many of their students, the stakes are high as they have major barriers to overcome in their lives. A cosmetology license would mean a whole new life for them—but only if they can overcome their personal struggles along the way. With the help of Ms. J and her staff, Franklin students are set on a path for success in both cosmetology and life.”
Last month, new reports revealed that OWN’s viewership is up 22 percent among the target audience of adult women and 23 percent compared to last year. That’s a far cry from the dismal numbers the network was putting up during its rocky start.
“I no longer have such fear and anxiety about it. I really have more confidence in my decisions,” Winfrey said. “In the beginning, I was in a lot of meetings where people said, `You don’t understand cable.’ … I’d say, `But I do understand the audience. Aren’t people the same?’”
OWN will air a sneak peek of Houston Beauty on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 10/9c ahead of the series premiere on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 10/9c. Check out the trailer below.
