93 | BREATH OF FRESH AIR
Jason Klarman
Title: President, Oxygen
Years in Cable: 18
Education: MBA, NYU; BA, University of Michigan
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Always get on the board early.
Why Him? Klarman’s ascent at Oxygen has been, literally, a breath of fresh air for the network. Viewers saw a 30% jump in original programming this year after hits “Bad Girls Club” and “Hair Battle Spectacular” solidified the network’s place in the hotly competitive reality TV arena. Though highly anticipated new series “The Glee Project,” a behind the scene look at casting, and “The World According to Paris”—Hilton, that is—didn’t bring the ratings Klarman had hoped for, Oxygen remains on solid footing.
Tori Tori Tori: Perhaps viewers didn’t go gaga over Paris because they’re busy watching another blonde. Tori Spelling not only continued to smile through the sixth season of “Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood,” but the couple has a new series focused on weddings they help their friends plan.
Year Ahead: With mixed ratings in 2011, Klarman will continue “Living Out Loud” to try to regain some of Oxygen’s momentum.
The one burning question I have for Siri on my iPhone 4S: What are Apple’s plans for its new TV?
Favorite “going out” town: New York
Worst thing I’ve ever heard someone say in a meeting: “That’s not the way we do it.”
The top 3 most played selections on my iPod: “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall,” Coldplay; “Sing,” My Chemical Romance; “Pumped Up Kicks,” Foster The People
Favorite Sports Team: NY Yankees ?