She’s every woman. Oprah Winfrey to end talk show run September 9, 2011 (video, press release)
As one of her season intros borrowed Chaka Khan‘s “I’m Every Woman,” Oprah has indeed found a unique way to reach the hearts of women all over the world, and men, too. She broke the stereotype too often required of women on television or in film that they need to be a size 0, fair-skinned and with features unlike Oprah. Now, once she has 25 golden seasons under her belt, Oprah is retiring her weekday talk show to make room for new pursuits. She didn’t offer much detail, but her next venture will be under her own cable network, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
I, personally, am not stunned. Oprah’s had a good run with the show, and as her declining ratings over the past few seasons indicate, television viewers are not choosing her show to the degree that they had been in prior years. Plus, if you simply look at the fact that she’s ending at a 25 year mark, it seems like that’s a goal she’s probably had in mind for years.
Here’s a CNN report talking about Oprah’s departure.
Here’s the press release from Oprah.com…
November 20, 2009, CHICAGO — On today’s live episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, Winfrey announced that she plans to end her show in September 2011 after 25 years on the air. The Oprah Show will end its run as its 25th season draws to a close on September 9, 2011.
Launched nationally in 1986, The Oprah Winfrey Show is viewed by an estimated 42 million viewers each week in the United States.* Oprah and The Oprah Winfrey Show have received 48 Daytime Emmy Awards®, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. The Oprah Winfrey Show has remained the number one talk show for 23 consecutive seasons, winning every sweep since its debut in 1986.** It is produced in Chicago by Harpo Productions, Inc. and syndicated to 215 domestic stations by CBS Television Distribution and to 145 countries by CBS Studios International.
Said Winfrey: “I love this show. This show has been my life. And I love it enough to know when it’s time to say goodbye. Twenty-five years feels right in my bones, and it feels right in my spirit. It’s the perfect number—the exact right time. So I hope that you will take this 18-month ride with me right through to the final show.”
Winfrey continued, “So, the countdown to the end of The Oprah Winfrey Show starts now, and until that day in 2011 when it ends, I intend to soak up every meaningful, joy-filled moment with you.”
After production wraps on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Winfrey plans to appear and participate in new programming for OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, a 24-hour cable network that reflects her vision, values and interests. The launch date for OWN, a joint venture with Discovery Communications, is now set for January 2011.
About Harpo
Harpo Productions, Inc. produces the number one–rated, award-winning The Oprah Winfrey Show; creates and develops original TV programming for primetime, syndication and cable television; and operates Oprah.com (www.oprah.com), a premier lifestyle website. ZoCo Productions, LLC, an affiliate of Harpo Productions, Inc., and Sony Pictures Television co-produce The Dr. Oz Show. Harpo Print, LLC and Hearst Magazines publish the monthly O, The Oprah Magazine publication. Harpo Films produces feature films and, through an exclusive deal with HBO, scripted television programming. Harpo Radio, Inc. produces Oprah Radio (XM channel 156, Sirius channel 195 as part of its “Best of XM” package) on Sirius XM Radio. A joint venture between Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, a multiplatform company, will debut in January 2011 in more than 70 million homes on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel.
Connect with Oprah
Twitter– oprah
Facebook– The Oprah Winfrey Show fan page
Myspace– www.myspace.com/theoprahwinfreyshow
YouTube– www.youtube.com/oprah (i had no idea she had a youtube channel!)
Related Links
PopEater.com– Oprah’s Long Goodbye Begins with Tears
LA Times– Oprah tells viewers she is signing off in 2011
CNN– Oprah ending talk show in 2011
Yahoo! News– Oprah’s departure presents problem for TV stations
MSNBC– Oprah decides to end show ‘after much prayer’
