Oprah Winfrey to Launch TV Channel
The talk show queen announced the big news, along with a Discovery Channel official, on her website and in a telephone conference call. She says, "Fifteen years ago, I wrote in my journal that one day I would create a television network, as I always felt my show was just the beginning of what the future could hold."
Now, Oprah's television channel is on its way. Her company, Harpo, and Discovery Communications are creating OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. They plan to launch the new television channel in 2009 on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel.
According to a statement on Oprah.com, the new television channel "will be designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives", a theme of Oprah's current television show and her magazine.
Oprah will be the chairman of OWN and says, "For me, the launch of The Oprah Winfrey Network is the evolution of the work I've been doing on television all these years and a natural extension of my show." She says, "I will now have the opportunity to do that 24 hours a day."
The President and CEO of Discovery Communications said in the conference call, "There's no stronger brand in media than the Oprah brand. It stands for inspiring people and entertaining people and empowering people to live their best life." David Zaslav added, "At Discovery, our goals are to improve the quality of the networks while expanding the reach and success of our web presence. This venture does both."
He calls Oprah's new television network, a "unique property" and says they will connect with viewers on-air and online, since it will also involve the Oprah.com website.
The announcement says the new television channel will be owned 50/50 by Harpo and Discovery. Oprah Winfrey will have full editorial control over the television channel and OWN's television programming. Discovery will put some of the resources from Discovery Health into it.
Besides this new television channel, Winfrey's Harpo company already has a radio channel (156) on XM Satellite Radio, called the Oprah and Friends channel. According to an announcement in 2006, the channel "features a broad range of caller-driven, original talk programming." Harpo also produces movies.
Of the new venture with a television channel, Oprah says, "I'm thrilled about this opportunity." The announcement says OWN will be available in 70 million homes.
Published by H.Rox
I am a freelance writer/reporter based in New York and am here to try some online writing on various topics including: personal finance, the economy, news and Long Island events. Enjoy. View profile
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20 Comments
Post a CommentDont hate people ..If she put money in your hand you would be singing and dancing to a different tune!Oprah has helped so may people and children thru out the world..What have you done?
I was a nursing student and now am disabled, Discovery Health is a window into the world I wish I could be living daily. I love all of their medical programming. I have never liked Oprah. I agree with many of you that she is "a bit too powerful" she's also majorly egocentric. I want to know what programs she plans to trash while she makes people compete for their "OWN" talkshow and shows the behind the scenes of her last season? What's the "B"eef with this "W"itch?
Discovery Health is one of my favorite channels. Why did Oprah take over a station that people enjoy and not just launch on a new channel. I certainly hope many of the programs enjoyed on this channel will remain and we do not find ourselves with one preachy station on how to live perfect lives. We seem to be losing more services from the world of television and at greater costs. I will reserve judgment but Trauma in the ER is one of my favorite, and informative programs and I will be greatly disappointed to lose these shows.
are you all serious, you all are talking about to much power. HOw/ do you say that to all the other Billionaires around the country. but because she is a Black woman who has come up in this Male dominated society she is to powerful. and to answer your question i am White. lets support whomever is bringing positivity to what is a negative world we live in
Hello Oprah!
I have enjoyed your shows all thru the years & I look forward to your new venture which I am sure will be outstanding! My only question is this. We love Discovery Health & all the interesting, informative shows they have, like from the ER, etc.! Is there some way you, or your producers, etc. can continue to have these shows, which are from different hospitals, etc. plus other health related shows? We sure hope so! Best Wishes with your new venture & I know it will be terrific!
Hello Oprah!
I have enjoyed your shows all thru the years & I look forward to your new venture which I am sure will be outstanding! My only question is this. We love Discovery Health & all the interesting, informative shows they have, like from the ER, etc.! Is there some way you, or your producers, etc. can continue to have these shows, which are from different hospitals, etc. plus other health related shows? We sure hope so! Best Wishes with your new venture & I know it will be terrific!
DONT FORGET THE FAKE'' DR. PHIL''
OWN? New World Order? ahahaha
Oprah has too much power, nice write up.
Personally, I am not crazy about Oprah. I think that she already has way to much influence on the country and has her beliefs turned around so much.