OPRAH GETS HER OWN NETWORK

Oprah Winfrey is getting her own cable channel, called OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network.



A deal announced Tuesday with Discovery Communications will create a 50-50 cable and Web venture.

In the cashless transaction, Discovery will contribute its Discovery Health Channel, to be converted to OWN in late 2009 and simulcast in HD. Launched in 1999, the channel reaches more than 70 million cable and satellite homes.

Winfrey will be chairman and wield editorial control. The partners will pick a CEO to handle day-to-day operations.

Her goal is a network "that will inspire and entertain people around issues of money, weight, health, relationships, spirit, helping people to raise their children and give back, teaching people to be all that they can be in the world," said Winfrey, whose empire includes her TV show, Harpo Films and Oprah's Books.

Oprah is a beast!!!!