TORONTO – While Sirius milks Howard Stern, XM will add the Oprah & Friends radio channel this September.
Harpo Radio and XM Radio, along with XM Canada, today announced the deal which will bring a broad range of original programming from Oprah Winfrey, including regular segments hosted by popular personalities from “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and O, The Oprah Magazine – and an exclusive original weekly reality radio show with Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King. The channel will be broadcast from a new XM studio at Harpo Studios in Chicago, says the press release.
The Oprah & Friends channel will debut in September 2006 and feature original daily programming on a variety of topics including nutrition, fitness, health, self improvement, home, and current events from popular “Oprah” personalities, including Bob Greene, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Robin Smith, Marianne Williamson, Nate Berkus, and Gayle King.
“Together with my friends, we look forward to creating programming that will entertain, inform and inspire our listening audience on XM,” said Winfrey in a statement.
“We are honoured to have Oprah Winfrey, the world’s most notable and inspirational entertainer and philanthropist, to join the XM Canada Satellite Radio family,” said Stephen Tapp, president and COO of XM Canada, in the release. “We are beyond excited to share the premium programming of ‘Oprah & Friends’ with our Canadian listeners from coast to coast.”
“Oprah Winfrey is a prolific force in our culture whose unprecedented achievements in television, film, publishing and philanthropy will bring an amazing radio experience to the XM nation of subscribers. We are proud to welcome Oprah and her talented team to the XM family,” added Hugh Panero, president and CEO, XM Satellite Radio.
“Today’s announcement with XM marks an exciting new chapter in the evolution of Harpo’s media portfolio,” said Tim Bennett, president, Harpo Productions. “Oprah & Friends will not only complement our existing television, print, film, cable and online properties but will provide new opportunities to extend our brand to XM’s millions of listeners.”
