AFP/Getty Images/File – Talk show diva and cultural kingmaker Oprah Winfrey, pictured here on October 2010, expands her media …
CHICAGO (AFP) – Talk show diva Oprah Winfrey launched her OWN cable network Saturday, unveiling a packed program line-up featuring celebrity hosts such as British duchess Sarah Ferguson and country singer Shania Twain.
"Happy New Year everybody and welcome to OWN," Oprah said as she officially launched her high-stakes, 24-hour seven-day-a-week television venture at midday (1700 GMT).
"This is a very exciting day for me kicking off the next chapter of my life with all of you. Yes, the Oprah Winfrey Network is finally on the air."
Among the new programs to be aired on the channel are "Finding Sarah" hosted by Britain's Duchess of York and "Why Not?" with Grammy-award winning Canadian diva Shania Twain, who says she has lost her confidence and ability to sing.
"It hurts. Extremely damaged. During 25 years of public life, I sort of think I got lost as to where the actual, real Sarah is," said Ferguson, the former wife of Prince Andrew, in a preview of her show.
"I think I've hurt myself badly. It's the self-bullying, the self-hatred and it's just the feelings that you're completely worthless," she added, as she was seen sobbing during a heart-to-heart with TV psychologist Dr Phil.
Ferguson appeared on Oprah's daytime show earlier this year after she was caught in a sting by the British tabloid the News of the World saying she could "open any door you want" to Prince Andrew in exchange for cash.
The former member of the British royal family revealed to Oprah she had a "substantial" amount of debt, fueling speculation she was looking to appear on a reality television show.
But while Winfrey's comfy couches have launched scores of careers, it's unclear if her magic touch can carry an entire network.
"I wanted to build a network which empowers you, the viewer, to turn your dreams into reality," Oprah said, as she also announced a reality show giving 10 finalists out of 15,000 applicants the chance to host their own TV show.
The cozy, confessional tone cultivated over 25 seasons of her iconic talk show looked set to stay, with Oprah saying that for the first time she had given cameras full access to the "very private world of Oprah Winfrey" during the filming of the last season.
Discovery Networks is reportedly sinking 189 million dollars into the joint venture, which replaces Discovery Health and will reach nearly 80 million homes.
The network will offer 600 hours of original fare in its first year along with movies, re-runs of the Dr Phil show and several shows previously aired on Discovery Health.
"Every minute of this network has been hand selected by me for you the viewers," Oprah said.
"I wanted to take ideals of great television, that we've established on the Oprah show and bring them to you, through a variety of new shows 24/7."
But analysts remained uncertain whether despite Oprah's phenomenal fan base the channel could establish itself in the competitive world of network television.
"Oprah has a very powerful brand name, but it's really difficult to get people to change their viewing habits and find a new channel," said Derek Baine, an analyst for industry consultant SNL Kagan.
"Plus, the fact that she'll still be on her syndicated show will probably be confusing to some people."
Oprah has acknowledged in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal that it may take time to translate the success of a show she'd done 140 times a year into a network which airs 24 hours a day.
Twain said her show will feature her interviews with people who have gone through "big emotional crises, deep life struggles" as she seeks to learn lessons on how to rebuild her life and career.
Another tear-jerking reality show will star American actor Ryan O'Neal and his daughter, Tatum, as they struggle to repair their damaged and tempestuous relationship.
The network has also developed a reality show where children kidnap their workaholic parents; two cooking shows; a show where families get rid of their clutter, as well as a frank talk show about sex.
Oprah also unveiled a new series called Master Class in which she says she wants to get "inside the minds of the world's greatest thinkers" with profiles of guests such as journalist Diane Sawyer, rapper Jay-Z, writer Maya Angelou, and former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice.
"Happy New Year everybody and welcome to OWN," Oprah said as she officially launched her high-stakes, 24-hour seven-day-a-week television venture at midday (1700 GMT).
"This is a very exciting day for me kicking off the next chapter of my life with all of you. Yes, the Oprah Winfrey Network is finally on the air."
Among the new programs to be aired on the channel are "Finding Sarah" hosted by Britain's Duchess of York and "Why Not?" with Grammy-award winning Canadian diva Shania Twain, who says she has lost her confidence and ability to sing.
"It hurts. Extremely damaged. During 25 years of public life, I sort of think I got lost as to where the actual, real Sarah is," said Ferguson, the former wife of Prince Andrew, in a preview of her show.
"I think I've hurt myself badly. It's the self-bullying, the self-hatred and it's just the feelings that you're completely worthless," she added, as she was seen sobbing during a heart-to-heart with TV psychologist Dr Phil.
Ferguson appeared on Oprah's daytime show earlier this year after she was caught in a sting by the British tabloid the News of the World saying she could "open any door you want" to Prince Andrew in exchange for cash.
The former member of the British royal family revealed to Oprah she had a "substantial" amount of debt, fueling speculation she was looking to appear on a reality television show.
But while Winfrey's comfy couches have launched scores of careers, it's unclear if her magic touch can carry an entire network.
"I wanted to build a network which empowers you, the viewer, to turn your dreams into reality," Oprah said, as she also announced a reality show giving 10 finalists out of 15,000 applicants the chance to host their own TV show.
The cozy, confessional tone cultivated over 25 seasons of her iconic talk show looked set to stay, with Oprah saying that for the first time she had given cameras full access to the "very private world of Oprah Winfrey" during the filming of the last season.
Discovery Networks is reportedly sinking 189 million dollars into the joint venture, which replaces Discovery Health and will reach nearly 80 million homes.
The network will offer 600 hours of original fare in its first year along with movies, re-runs of the Dr Phil show and several shows previously aired on Discovery Health.
"Every minute of this network has been hand selected by me for you the viewers," Oprah said.
"I wanted to take ideals of great television, that we've established on the Oprah show and bring them to you, through a variety of new shows 24/7."
But analysts remained uncertain whether despite Oprah's phenomenal fan base the channel could establish itself in the competitive world of network television.
"Oprah has a very powerful brand name, but it's really difficult to get people to change their viewing habits and find a new channel," said Derek Baine, an analyst for industry consultant SNL Kagan.
"Plus, the fact that she'll still be on her syndicated show will probably be confusing to some people."
Oprah has acknowledged in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal that it may take time to translate the success of a show she'd done 140 times a year into a network which airs 24 hours a day.
Twain said her show will feature her interviews with people who have gone through "big emotional crises, deep life struggles" as she seeks to learn lessons on how to rebuild her life and career.
Another tear-jerking reality show will star American actor Ryan O'Neal and his daughter, Tatum, as they struggle to repair their damaged and tempestuous relationship.
The network has also developed a reality show where children kidnap their workaholic parents; two cooking shows; a show where families get rid of their clutter, as well as a frank talk show about sex.
Oprah also unveiled a new series called Master Class in which she says she wants to get "inside the minds of the world's greatest thinkers" with profiles of guests such as journalist Diane Sawyer, rapper Jay-Z, writer Maya Angelou, and former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice.
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