Oprah Winfrey Show To End In 2011
Posted November 20, 2009 8:00 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
One of the most powerful people in the world of entertainment plans to end her reign as the queen of the daytime network talk show.
Harpo Productions says the extremely influential Oprah Winfrey Show will end in 2011, marking 25 years on the air. The 55-year-old host made the announcement on Friday’s program, holding back tears.
While the long-running top-rated show is coming to an end, Oprah herself isn’t planning on retiring. She’s expected to debut a new show on her Oprah Winfrey Network in 2011.
The popularity of Winfrey’s show propelled her to build a media empire worth an estimated $2.7 billion (US).
The television host holds great influence over her 42 million viewers in 145 countries, but a recent report suggested her ratings have been on a decline.
Dubbed one of the most powerful women in America several times over, Oprah’s book club selections almost always become instant best-sellers, her shows have influenced trends, and since her program abandoned traditional day-time talk topics she has even been described as a spiritual leader.
The Oprah Winfrey Show often features highly sought-after celebrity interviews, including Michael Jackson, Liberace, Sarah Palin and, of course, Tom Cruise when he performed his infamous couch-jump.
The show also raised eyebrows for its elaborate audience giveaways, including an episode in 2007 when Winfrey gave every person in the studio audience a new car.
- Winfrey produced the film “Precious”, which opens in Toronto Friday. Click here to read our review.
