Oprah Winfrey wins $7 million jackpot with Harry-Meghan show

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Oprah Winfrey is reported to have raked in $7 million to $9 million dollars from CBS for allowing the channel the rights to air the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's  two-hour interview which is now the most talked about show worldwide.</p>
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The Wall Street Journal reported: "CBS is paying a license fee of between $7 million and $9 million for the rights to air Ms. Winfrey’s interview with Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex, according to people familiar with the pact."</p>
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As part of the agreement with Winfrey's production company, Harpo Productions, the network "has rights to license the special in international markets."</p>
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CBS is also making huge advertising profits from the special show. The Wall Street Journal said the network "was seeking roughly $325,000 for 30 seconds of commercial time during the program according to ad buyers, about twice the normal price of ad time in that time period."</p>
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However, Harry and Meghan were not paid for their participation in the programme. A spokesperson for the couple confirmed to the Journal that the couple was not compensated, and at the start of the program, Oprah clarified:</p>
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"Before we get in to it, I just want to make it clear to everybody that even though we’re neighbours … that there has not been an agreement, you don’t know what I’m going to ask, and there is no subject that’s off-limits and you are not getting paid for this interview."</p>
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Meghan response was: "All of that is correct.”</p>
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The high interest in the interview—and high cost for advertisers—led CBS to extend the special to a full two hours.</p>
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According to the Wall Street Journal, CBS beat out rival networks ABC and NBC for the rights to air the interview, produced by Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions. CBS also has the rights to license the special in international markets including the U.K.</p>