Oprah Winfrey reduced to begging for ratings for failing OWN network

Oh how the mighty have fallen....

(NY Daily News) — Oprah Winfrey may be feeling the pressure over her fledgling network’s sputtering ratings.

A tweet from the talk show host’s Twitter account asked followers, “Every 1 who can please turn to OWN especially if u have a Nielsen box,” in what seems to be a plea to boost ratings numbers.

Winfrey publically apologized for the tweet, which was subsequently deleted — after being informed that the move may have violated Nielsen policy prohibiting networks from influencing ratings.

“I removed the tweet at the request of Nielsen,” Winfrey said in a statement Monday. “ I intended no harm and apologize for the reference.”