Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) is an American multinational basic cable television network which launched on January 1, 2011, effectively replacing the Discovery Health Channel. The OWN (also known as the “OWN Network”) is a joint venture between Warner Bros. Discovery and Harpo Studios, conceptualized largely by popular talkshow host, Oprah Winfrey—the name of Harpo Studios is Winfrey’s first name, spelled backwards.[1]
The network is spearheaded by television personality (and namesake) Oprah Winfrey and features entertainment, self-help and lifestyle specials aimed at not only African American audiences but female viewers, in general. As well as featuring various programs surrounding celebrities, self-awareness, therapy, and spirituality, the OWN network also airs reruns of talkshow programming from the Harpo Studios library, such as archived episodes of The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986-2011).
Initially a 50/50 joint venture, Discovery acquired a larger stake in the network in 2017 and again in December 2020, when Discovery increased its ownership in OWN from 73% to 95%. Harpo remains a “significant” minority stakeholder, and Winfrey is contracted with the channel through (at least) 2025.