1/15/2008

in

Oprah Winfrey struck a deal with Discovery Communications to have her own cable network.

Jessica Dines

According to USA Today, Oprah Winfrey will be receiving her own cable channel called OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, which is set to launch in 2009. An announcement of the deal between Oprah and Discovery Communications Tuesday stated that Oprah's network will take over the Discovery Health Channel. This channel reaches more than 70 million cable and satellite subscribers.Winfrey's website, Oprah.com, will also become a part of the network. Currently owned by her company, Harpo, the website attracts more than 6 million visitors and receives 80 million pageviews each month. The Oprah Winfrey Network will be a cable-and-internet joint venture and will be simulcast in High Definition.Winfrey will have full editorial control as chairman of the network and a CEO will be hired to handle day-to-day operations.With her own magazine, book and film company, and popular TV show, the addition of a cable network greatly increases Oprah Winfrey's large media empire.