TV Good News/Bad News: Oprah Winfrey Network and Another Hit to Striking Writersby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 15 Jan 2008 12:35 PM Oprah Winfrey is taking over the world... If having a hit TV show, a magazine, multiple radio shows, a website, and a multi-media empire wasn't enough now the billionaire is getting her own TV network. Winfrey just announced that she has entered into a deal with Discovery Communications where the Discovery Health network will be turned over to Winfrey next year, becoming OWN - the Oprah Winfrey Network. No money was exchanged; rather Winfrey says she plans to turn over her website to Discovery, and in turn the communications company will make her chairman of the network, which is currently seen in 68 million homes. Discovery Communication execs say the focus of the network bearing the TV talk show host's name will be to "educate and inspire people to live the best life they can." While no details regarding a show line-up was announced, Discovery execs say don't be surprised to see some of Winfrey's stable of regular contributors (including Dr. Oz, designer Nate Berkus, and BFF Gayle King) to be part of the programming. ANOTHER HIT TO STRIKING WRITERS Striking Hollywood writers say it came out of left field and today some are still reeling from the bold move made by four major studios to cancel dozens of writers' contracts in a possible concession that the current television season cannot be saved. That's right; NO new shows for the rest of the season. According to the Los Angeles Times, the move also means the 2-month old writers strike could also jeopardize the future of next season's new shows. Typically, January begins what is known as "pilot season" in Hollywood. A time when networks order new scripted shows. But with no end to the writers strike in sight networks have no new comedy or drama scripts to choose from. The report in today's L.A. Times says 20th Century Fox Television, CBS Paramount Network Television, NBC Universal and Warner Bros. Television have all terminated development and production agreements. The newspaper revealed that more than 65 deals with writers have been eliminated since Friday. According to the paper, studios typically pay between $500,000 and $2 million a year per writer for them to develop new show concepts. Related Articles: The Golden Globe Awards Show Bites the Dust David Letterman Strikes Deal with Writers Major Changes in Store for This Year's People's Choice Awards Kimmel, Stewart and Colbert Returning with New Shows Save Your Jokes Late-Night TV Hosts Can't Take Them Leno and O'Brien Returning to Late-Night TV Ray of Hope Emerges for Striking Hollywood Writers The Continuing Writers Strike---What's Happening with Your Favorite Shows? The Writers Strike and Late-Night Talk Shows---THE BACKLASH! Writers Strike---Is There an End in Sight? Writers Strike Update--How Many New Episodes Are Left? Hollywood Writers' Strike---Week 3: Movie Alert Writers' Strike--Producers Hit Back Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevantpopular culture tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags Oprah Winfrey, Oprah TV, tv shows, writer's strike Discuss this article
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