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Tag: Oprah Winfrey

  • Oprah’s birthday special: Timeless wisdom for joy, resilience, and connection in her Audible audiobook

    Oprah’s birthday special: Timeless wisdom for joy, resilience, and connection in her Audible audiobook

    Mumbai: Celebrate the inspiring Oprah Winfrey’s birthday with the gift of wisdom from her personal experiences! In ‘What I Know for Sure,’ on Audible, narrated by Oprah herself, she shares timeless lessons on joy, resilience, and the power of connection. As a tribute to her extraordinary achievements, this audiobook offers an intimate glimpse into Oprah’s heart and mind. Tune in to the audiobook on Audible to experience the profound revelations that have made her an iconic figure, and that will guide you towards your personal growth and fulfillment.

    https://www.audible.in/pd/What-I-Know-for-Sure-Audiobook/B07B62MHBX?

    Here we share some of these takeaways:

    Live in the moment to transform your lives

    In this audiobook, Oprah Winfrey discusses the importance of experiencing life fully. She advocates for living in the present and finding pleasure in simple, everyday moments. She underscores the transformative power of choosing joy, whether through relishing a good meal, savouring a delightful experience, or connecting with the world of spirit. “I take my pleasures seriously. I work hard and play well; I believe in the yin and yang of life. It doesn’t take a lot to make me happy because I find satisfaction in so much of what I do. Some satisfactions are higher-rated than others, of course. And because I try to practise what I preach—living in the moment—I am consciously attuned most of the time to how much pleasure I am receiving,” she asserts.

    Face challenges with strength — shift, learn, and ultimately grow

    In the second chapter of her audiobook, Oprah talks about her transformative journey from her birth in rural Mississippi to becoming an influential media mogul. She stresses the significance of taking responsibility for one’s life, breaking free from past programming, and embracing every day as an opportunity for growth. “That’s where strength comes from—our ability to face resistance and walk through it. It’s not that people who persevere don’t ever feel doubt, fear, and exhaustion. They do. But in the toughest moments, we can have faith that if we take just one step more than we feel we’re capable of, if we draw on the incredible resolve every human being possesses, we’ll learn some of the most profound lessons life has to offer,” she shared.

    Prioritise self-love for lasting relationships

    Reflecting on interviews with individuals who had cheated on their spouses, she discovers a common yearning for affirmation and connection. Oprah emphasises the importance of self-love, stressing that external validation cannot replace the internal recognition of one’s worth. Sharing her views on the universal desire for acknowledgment and love, Oprah said, “When you make loving others the story of your life, there’s never a final chapter, because the legacy continues. You lend your light to one person, and he or she shines it on another and another and another. And I know for sure that in the final analysis of our lives—when the to-do lists are no more, when the frenzy is finished, when our e-mail inboxes are empty—the only thing that will have any lasting value is whether we’ve loved others and whether they’ve loved us.”

    Believe in the power of gratitude

    For years, Oprah maintained a gratitude journal but found herself drifting away from this practice due to a hectic schedule. Reflecting on her past entries, she realised the transformative power of acknowledging simple joys. She recounts the influence of Maya Angelou, who taught her to say “thank-you” in challenging moments. She believes that “being grateful all the time isn’t easy. But it’s when you feel least thankful that you are most in need of what gratitude can give you: perspective. Gratitude can transform any situation. It alters your vibration, moving you from negative energy to positive. It’s the quickest, easiest, most powerful way to effect change in your life—this I know for sure.” Oprah credits a friend for inspiring her to continue her iconic show, helping her reflect on the ripple effect of positivity and change that she transpires through her program.

    Say no, set boundaries, and prioritise self-care for authentic living

    Learning to say no at the age of 40 marked a pivotal moment for her, realising the importance of setting boundaries. Driven by a history of abuse, Oprah discovered the power of intention and the necessity of aligning actions with genuine desires. Oprah advocates it by saying, “before you say yes to anyone, ask yourself: What is my truest intention? It should come from the purest part of you, not from your head. If you have to ask for advice, give yourself time to let a yes or no resound within you. When it’s right, your whole body feels it.” Through her candid revelations, Oprah encourages individuals to live authentically, free from the constraints of societal expectations. In her concluding notes to another chapter, she says, “What I know for sure is this: Whatever you fear most has no power—it is your fear that has the power. The thing itself cannot touch you. But your fear can rob you of your life. Each time you give in to it, you lose strength, while your fear gains it. That’s why you must decide that no matter how difficult the path ahead seems, you will push past your anxiety and keep on stepping.”

  • Apple signs multi-year deal with Oprah Winfrey

    Apple signs multi-year deal with Oprah Winfrey

    MUMBAI: Remember the Oprah Winfrey show? The unstoppable business woman  behind the show has now signed a multi-year content partnership with technology company Apple. Winfrey will work with the iPhone maker to produce TV shows for its forthcoming streaming service.

    Winfrey is a renowned media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist.

    Together, Winfrey and Apple will create original programs that embrace her incomparable ability to connect with audiences around the world. The deal includes making of a film, tv, applications, books and other content that could easily be distributed on Apple’s platform.

    Winfrey’s projects will be released as part of a lineup of original content from Apple.

    Winfrey’s Harpo Films will own any and all content produced under the Apple partnership, in line with Winfrey’s longtime business model. However, she will continue in her role as chairman and CEO of Discovery Communications-backed cable network OWN.

    Apple has stepped up against other OTT giants Netflix and Amazon Prime who have signed multiple celebrities and personalities in the last year. Apart form Winfrey, Apple recently also signed Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steven Spielberg to reboot its original content plans.

    Earlier last week, Nicole Kidman joined hands with Amazon for a first-look film and TV deal.

    While Apple’s $1 billion push in original programming is big money, Netflix spent $6.3 billion while Amazon splurged $4.5 billion in 2017.

  • Discovery boss JB Perrette proud of Jeet bet

    Discovery boss JB Perrette proud of Jeet bet

    BALI: The management at Discovery is pretty sanguine despite  the low continued ratings of its new India channel Jeet.  Speaking at APOS in Bali, Discovery Networks International president and CEO Jean-Briac Perrette said: “We are very ambitious and big believers in India as a market. We want to figure out ways to scale up there. We believe in the opportunities in that market and Jeet in the space of real-life entertainment seemed like a really interesting concept and a swing for us. We are very  proud of that swing, “

    He added, “We will continue too see what makes sense to do there. The more important thing is that not everything that we do is going to work, but we are not afraid of that  because experimentation and the trials and swings are needed to succeed in the world that is changing as fast as it is.”

    He was very optimistic of the fact that Discovery would continue to invest in India and in innovation. Perrette revealed: “Discovery as a company is not afraid of swings. We spent half a billion dollars investing in the Oprah Winfrey Network. For the first three years, it went nowhere. Now, it is a leading Afro-American Network for women in the US and hugely profitable. We  knew nothing about sports and now we are a leader in sports across Europe. We knew nothing about doing a massive big event  and we had the biggest and most successful winter Olympic games ever. We are not a company that’s about shying away. With this disruption, one thing we know for sure is that we need to keep moving and keep investing, and probably taking bigger bets and more risks. Because the world is changing so fast.”

    He, however, revealed that the shape and morph of the routes that Discovery would take to attain the size and scale in India could change. “The ways we do that in India, whether we do it through Jeet or more digital investments or other things we look to do in that space. Those are going to change several times over the next few months and years as we look to grow.”

    That sure should give team Karan Bajaj and Discovery India enough to  plod on and make a success of what they have set out to do.

  • Discovery hikes stake to majority in Oprah Winfrey JV

    Discovery hikes stake to majority in Oprah Winfrey JV

    MUMBAI: David Zaslaw-headed Discovery Communications has been on an aggressive acquisition spree as it seeks to increase its relevance in an increasingly fragmenting multiplatform video world. It first acquired Eurosport completely in 2015 and followed it by acquiring Scripps Networks earlier this year for a massive $14.6 billion. Now, it has gone ahead and signed an agreement with Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Inc to acquire another 24.5 per cent stake in the 50:50 joint venture it has with her in the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

    This transaction represents Winfrey’s first payment from Harpo ownership stake in OWN in the 10 years since forming the joint venture with Discovery. Winfrey’s Harpo will retain a significant minority interest in OWN and Winfrey will continue in her role as CEO, with her exclusivity commitment to the network extended through 2025.

    “Ten years ago, Oprah and I began to imagine what a network, inspired by her vision and values, could mean to viewers across the US,” said Discovery president & CEO David Zaslav. “In an increasingly crowded landscape, OWN has emerged as the leading destination for African-American women and one of the strongest super-fan brands across all screens and services. This transaction allows Discovery and Oprah to unlock more value from our partnership; extends once more her commitment to the network; and lets us continue our strong work together to nourish OWN viewers with the content they love.”

    “Creating OWN and seeing it flourish, supported by Discovery and a rapidly growing group of the finest storytellers in film and television, is one of my proudest achievements,” said Winfrey. “I’m thrilled with the network’s success and excited about this next chapter in our partnership. Together, we’ll continue to inspire our viewers with real-life stories that are emotional and entertaining, connecting them to each other and to their greatest potential.”

    Launched in 2011, OWN has become the #1 network for African-American women with the top four original scripted series on ad-supported cable. The network is led by hit series including Queen Sugar andGreenleaf, the top two original series on all of television Wednesday nights for African-American viewers. OWN and Winfrey have created unparalleled social media engagement, delivering the most social shows on ad-supported cable with three shows in the Top 10. The network has recently expanded its relationships with premier storytellers and producers including Ava DuVernay, Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, Academy Award-winning “Moonlight” writer/producer Tarell Alvin McCraney and prolific filmmaker Will Packer.

  • Channel 5 brings House Doctor Back

    Channel 5 brings House Doctor Back

    MUMBAI:  The iconic home makeover show, House Doctor will return to Channel 5 later this year as Boundless Productions, part of FremantleMedia UK confirms it has been commissioned to make 45×60 episodes. Worldwide distribution will be handled by FremantleMedia International.

    Tracy Metro, a top designer from LA and regular on Oprah Winfrey’s Home Made Simple, is the House Doctor. Tracy’s upbeat, creative approach to design proves that with a minimum of investment, simple home-styling can turn dodgy décor into stunning transformations that sell houses quickly.

    In any housing market, there’s a marked contrast between the houses that sell in a heartbeat and those that languish on the market.  Tracy is convinced it’s all to do with presenting the house in the best possible light. It’s time to get rid of cluttered, dirty, dark and old fashioned homes and employ some quick and clever fixes that get buyers-to-be rushing to exchange contracts.

    Tracey Metro said: “There is so much potential in the houses I’ve seen and I love the thrill of bringing my distinctive design aesthetic and peppering it throughout the UK, transforming houses as I go.”

    Managing Director of Boundless Hannah Wyatt said: “I am delighted that House Doctor is coming back to our screens. Tracy is a fresh and exciting new presenter who brings a real can-do approach to the show, providing inspiration and insight into how to maximise selling a house. “

    Emma Westcott, Channel 5’s Commissioning Editor Factual commented: “The return of the original and best home selling show with fresh new talent is a real treat for viewers.  Interest in the UK property market has never been greater with people hungry for advice on how to maximise the value and marketability of hard to sell homes.

    House Doctor is a 45×60 minute Boundless production for Channel 5.  Commissioned by Emma Westcott, Channel 5.  Series Editor is Helen White, Executive Producer is John Comerford for Boundless Productions. 

  • Channel 5 brings House Doctor Back

    Channel 5 brings House Doctor Back

    MUMBAI:  The iconic home makeover show, House Doctor will return to Channel 5 later this year as Boundless Productions, part of FremantleMedia UK confirms it has been commissioned to make 45×60 episodes. Worldwide distribution will be handled by FremantleMedia International.

    Tracy Metro, a top designer from LA and regular on Oprah Winfrey’s Home Made Simple, is the House Doctor. Tracy’s upbeat, creative approach to design proves that with a minimum of investment, simple home-styling can turn dodgy décor into stunning transformations that sell houses quickly.

    In any housing market, there’s a marked contrast between the houses that sell in a heartbeat and those that languish on the market.  Tracy is convinced it’s all to do with presenting the house in the best possible light. It’s time to get rid of cluttered, dirty, dark and old fashioned homes and employ some quick and clever fixes that get buyers-to-be rushing to exchange contracts.

    Tracey Metro said: “There is so much potential in the houses I’ve seen and I love the thrill of bringing my distinctive design aesthetic and peppering it throughout the UK, transforming houses as I go.”

    Managing Director of Boundless Hannah Wyatt said: “I am delighted that House Doctor is coming back to our screens. Tracy is a fresh and exciting new presenter who brings a real can-do approach to the show, providing inspiration and insight into how to maximise selling a house. “

    Emma Westcott, Channel 5’s Commissioning Editor Factual commented: “The return of the original and best home selling show with fresh new talent is a real treat for viewers.  Interest in the UK property market has never been greater with people hungry for advice on how to maximise the value and marketability of hard to sell homes.

    House Doctor is a 45×60 minute Boundless production for Channel 5.  Commissioned by Emma Westcott, Channel 5.  Series Editor is Helen White, Executive Producer is John Comerford for Boundless Productions. 

  • Oscars unveils stellar line-up of presenters

    Oscars unveils stellar line-up of presenters

    MUMBAI: This year’s Oscars will see a stellar line-up of presenters. 

     

    From Josh Hutcherson, Scarlett Johansson, Zoe Saldana, Octavia Spencer, Marion Cotillard, Benedict Cumberbatch, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Cate Blanchett, Jared Leto, Matthew McConaughey to Lupita Nyong’o, the who’s who of Hollywood will take to the stage to present various awards this year.

     

    Cotillard, Cumberbatch, Streep, Winfrey and Witherspoon have all been nominated for the Oscars this year. Cotillard is nominated for Actress in a Leading Role for Two Days, One Night. She previously won an Oscar in this category for La Vie en Rose (2007). On the other hand, Cumberbatch is nominated for Actor in a Leading Role for The Imitation Game.

     

    Streep earned a record 19th acting nomination this year for her supporting role in Into the Woods. She previously took home Oscars for her lead performances in Sophie’s Choice (1982) and The Iron Lady (2011), and her supporting performance in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979). Streep’s previous Best Actress nominations were for The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981), Silkwood (1983), Out of Africa (1985), Ironweed (1987), A Cry in the Dark (1988), Postcards from the Edge (1990), The Bridges of Madison County (1995), One True Thing (1998), Music of the Heart (1999), The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Doubt (2008), Julie & Julia (2009) and August: Osage County (2013). She also received Best Supporting Actress nominations for The Deer Hunter (1978) and Adaptation (2002).

     

    Winfrey is nominated for Best Picture as one of the producers of Selma. She was previously nominated for Actress in a Supporting Role for The Color Purple (1985). She received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2011.

     

    Witherspoon is nominated for Actress in a Leading Role for Wild. She previously won an Oscar in this category for the 2005 movie Walk the Line.

     

    Additionally, last year’s Oscar winners Blanchett, Leto, McConaughey and Nyong’o will also be seen presenting awards this year. “The great tradition of having the previous year’s Oscar-winning best actors and actresses in all four categories happily continues this year with the amazing quartet of Cate, Jared, Matthew and Lupita. We’re thrilled to have them back,” said show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

     

    Blanchett has been nominated for six Oscars and has won two, including last year’s award for Blue Jasmine. Her previous win was for Actress in a Supporting Role for the 2004 film The Aviator. Blanchett also received leading actress nominations for Elizabeth (1998) and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), and supporting actress nominations for Notes on a Scandal (2006) and I’m Not There (2007).

     

    Last year, Leto won the Oscar for Actor in a Supporting Role and McConaughey for Actor in a Leading Role, both for Dallas Buyer’s Club. Nyong’o took home the Oscar for Actress in a Supporting Role for 12 Years a Slave.

     

    The Oscars will be hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and will be held on 22 February.

  • Oprah Winfrey starrer ‘Selma’ addresses racial crises and struggles

    Oprah Winfrey starrer ‘Selma’ addresses racial crises and struggles

    MUMBAI:  Oprah Winfrey’s new movie Selma centers on a key moment in the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

     

    The film, which is slated to open on Christmas Day this year, will mirror the struggle in the age of Ferguson and Garner and dramatise how King (David Oyelowo) rallied peacefully in 1965 against Southern racism and Alabama governor, George Wallace (Tim Roth) in order to get President Lyndon Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) to pass the voting rights act and ensure black enfranchisement.

     

    Talking about how even today protesters fill the streets to protest police killings of unarmed black men, Winfrey says, “You look out of your window and see people protesting, and then look at Selma and it looks similar. It’s a wonderful thing that people are protesting”.

     

    “When they say, enough is enough and that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, it reiterates what Martin Luther King said in Selma,” she adds.

     

    The issue is certainly close to Winfrey’s heart. Her message of empowerment is a part of everything she does. Winfrey, who herself was born poor to a family in Mississippi, began her career as a Chicago newsreader 30 years back. Today, the 60-year-old magnate is a successful talk show presenter and a multi-faceted personality.

     

    Selma is set to release on 25 December 2014.

  • Winfrey, Knowles, Shakira in Forbes list of powerful women

    Winfrey, Knowles, Shakira in Forbes list of powerful women

    NEW DELHI: Actor-presenter Oprah Winfrey and singer Beyonce Knowles have once again made it to the Forbes list of ‘The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.’

     

    While Wifrey is at number 14, Knowles is at number 17, just ahead of Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer at 18.

     

    PepsiCo chairperson and CEO Indra Nooyi is placed at 13 (as against 10 last year) while Cisco Systems chief technology and strategy officer Padmasree Warrior is at 71 (against 57 last year).

     

    Actor Angelina Jolie is at number 50 and has fallen from last year’s ranking of 37.

     

    Other prominent women from the media and entertainment industry in the list are Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chairperson Amy Pascal at 28, actress Sofia Vergara at 32, NBC Universal chairperson Bonnie Hammer at 42, TV Personality and comedienne Ellen DeGeneres at 46, Huffington Post editor-in-chief Arianna Huffington at 52,  singers Shakira Mebarak at 48 and Lady Gaga at 67 and Chinese actress Yao Chen at 83.

  • Steven Spielberg produced, Om Puri film trailer released

    Steven Spielberg produced, Om Puri film trailer released

    MUMBAI: Yahoo Movies has just released the first trailer of The Hundred Foot Journey, an upcoming motion picture adaptation of Richard C. Morrais’s New York Times bestseller. The film is produced by Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg (Schindler’s List) and Academy Award nominee Oprah Winfrey (The Color Purple).

     

    The film narrates the rise of Hassan Haji, the unlikely gourmand who recounts his life’s journey through the events of the film.

     

    Born above his grandfather’s modest restaurant in Mumbai, Hassan first experienced life through intoxicating whiffs of spicy fish curry, trips to the local markets, and gourmet outings with his mother. But when tragedy pushes the family out of India, they console themselves by eating their way around the world, eventually settling in Lumi?re, a small village in the French Alps.

    The boisterous Haji family takes Lumi?re by storm. They open an inexpensive Indian restaurant opposite an esteemed French relais (that of the famous chef Madame Mallory) and infuse the sleepy town with the spices of India, transforming the lives of its eccentric villagers and infuriating their celebrated neighbour. Only after Madame Mallory wages culinary war with the immigrant family, does she finally agree to mentor young Hassan, leading him to Paris, the launch of his own restaurant, and a slew of new adventures.

     

    The Hundred Foot Journey stars Academy Award winner Helen Mirren (The Queen), Manish Dayal (90210) as Hassal Haji and Filmfare Award winner Om Puri (Aakrosh).