
Oprah Winfrey is adding a cable network to her media empire through a deal with Discovery Communications.
The channel, dubbed OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, is described as a multiplatform venture "designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives." The channel, which will be 50-50 owned by Discovery and Winfrey's Harpo Prods., will debut in the second half of 2009 in 70 million homes, replacing the 9-year-old Discovery Health Channel.
Winfrey, who is contributing Oprah.com to the joint venture, will serve as chairman of the network. She will have "full editorial control" over OWN's programming, branding and creative vision. A search for a CEO to oversee day-to-day operations is under way.
[yahoo]

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