Media blitz preps viewers for Winfrey OWN channel

Peter Liguori takes over temporarily after the fledgling cable channel OWN fails to attract viewers.Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications Inc.

Now that her talk show has ended, Winfrey says, she'll be 'engaged and involved' in the struggling TV channel, which has been drawing fewer than 300,000 viewers in prime time.Oprah Winfrey has acknowledged that launching her own cable channel has been more difficult than she expected.

GATINEAU, Que. — The federal broadcast regulators will take a look at the educational aspect of the Oprah Winfrey Network Canada to determine if it is meeting its licence requirements of broadcasting educational content. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications says it will hold a hearing next Tuesday looking into whether the network’s shows are educational enough to meet its mandate. Media company Corus Entertainment Inc. has the licence for the Oprah Winfrey Network Canada channel.

The TV network is set to launch Jan. 1. The latest additions to its content, including a show featuring the post-divorce life of country music star Shania Twain, bring the lineup total to 15 series. New Years' Eve this year will be particularly celebratory for Oprah Winfrey fans. They can get ready for the Jan.

Talk show diva and cultural kingmaker Oprah Winfrey expands her media empire Saturday with the high-stakes launch of her OWN cable network.While Winfrey's comfy couches have launched scores of careers -- from Dr. Phil to the inventors of her 'favorite things' -- it's unclear if her magic touch can carry an entire network."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.

Talk show diva and cultural kingmaker Oprah Winfrey expands her media empire Saturday with the high-stakes launch of her OWN cable network.While Winfrey's comfy couches have launched scores of careers -- from Dr. Phil to the inventors of her 'favorite things' -- it's unclear if her magic touch can carry an entire network."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.