Oprah in deal to create her own TV network
Last Updated: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 | 3:16 PM ET
CBC News
Day-time talk show host Oprah Winfrey plans to put her stamp on an entire TV network.
Under a deal announced Tuesday, the Discovery Health Channel will be changed to the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) in 2009.
Oprah Winfrey, shown in May 2007 in New York, is to become chair of the TV network and be responsible for programming.
(Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
The cash-free deal involves Discovery Communications taking over the Winfrey website, while Winfrey becomes chairman of the network.
"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," Winfrey said in a statement on her website.
OWN's concept will be to apply the inspirational message of Oprah's TV show to a wider range of TV programming.
Winfrey will have full editorial control over the joint venture and will be responsible for OWN's programming, branding and creative vision.
"There is no stronger voice than Oprah Winfrey in engaging, motivating and connecting people to live healthier lives," said David Zaslav, Discovery Communications chief executive.
He says the Winfrey website will be expanded to take over multi-media support for the network.
Some of Winfrey's stable of contributors on health and family issues may be part of the programming, but rights to her show are tied up under contract until 2011, Zaslav said.
Discovery Health Network currently has about 68 million subscribers.
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