Harpo Productions

Oprah Winfrey's television, film and media production company.

Television productionFilmPublishingMedia

Active^{Source [3]}^{Source [8]}Last verified Oct 2, 2026

About Harpo Productions

Harpo Productions is Oprah Winfrey's production company; its name is Oprah spelled backwards. It was incorporated in Chicago in 1986 with Winfrey as chairman, and in 1988 it took over ownership and production of The Oprah Winfrey Show, which it produced until the show ended in May 2011.^{Source [1]}^{Source [4]}

Beyond the talk show, Harpo built a film unit that produced Beloved (1998) and television movies under the Oprah Winfrey Presents banner, started Oprah's Book Club in 1996, and launched O, The Oprah Magazine in partnership with Hearst in April 2000.^{Source [1]}^{Source [2]}

In 2008 Harpo formed OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network as a 50-50 joint venture with Discovery Communications. It sold a 24.5% stake to Discovery in 2017 and exchanged a further 20.2% for Discovery stock in December 2020, keeping a minority interest. A January 2026 release says Winfrey oversees Harpo Productions.^{Source [5]}^{Source [6]}^{Source [7]}^{Source [8]}

What happened

Formed in Chicago in 1986 by Oprah Winfrey, it took over ownership and production of The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1988. In 2008 it formed OWN as a joint venture with Discovery Communications and later sold most of its OWN stake to Discovery in 2017 and 2020, keeping a minority interest. It remains active under Winfrey.^{Source [1]}^{Source [2]}^{Source [3]}^{Source [5]}^{Source [6]}^{Source [7]}^{Source [8]}

Timeline

2020-12Exchanged a 20.2% interest in OWN for about $35 million of Discovery Series A stock; Discovery's stake rose to approximately 94%.^{Source [7]}
2017-12Sold an additional 24.5% of OWN to Discovery for $70 million, taking Discovery above 70% ownership.^{Source [6]}
2011-05The Oprah Winfrey Show ended after 25 seasons.^{Source [4]}
2008-01Formed OWN as a 50-50 joint venture with Discovery Communications.^{Source [5]}
2000-04O, The Oprah Magazine premiered in partnership with Hearst.^{Source [1]}
1998Joined partners to form Oxygen Media; Harpo Films released Beloved.^{Source [2]}
1996-09Started Oprah's Book Club as an on-air reading club.^{Source [1]}
1995Began producing television movies under the Oprah Winfrey Presents banner.^{Source [1]}
1988-10Assumed ownership and production of The Oprah Winfrey Show and bought a Chicago production facility for $20 million including renovation.^{Source [1]}
1986Incorporated with Oprah Winfrey as chairman.^{Source [1]}

Products and brands

The Oprah Winfrey Show: Syndicated daytime talk show, owned and produced by Harpo from 1988 until it ended in 2011.^{Source [1]}^{Source [4]}
Oprah's Book Club: On-air reading club started in September 1996.^{Source [1]}^{Source [8]}
O, The Oprah Magazine: Monthly magazine launched in April 2000 in partnership with Hearst.^{Source [1]}^{Source [3]}
Harpo Films: Film unit behind Beloved (1998) and the Oprah Winfrey Presents television movies.^{Source [2]}^{Source [1]}
Minority stake in OWN: Remaining interest in the OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network joint venture with Discovery.^{Source [7]}

How it makes money: Harpo produces television programs and films, publishes through partnerships such as its venture with Hearst on O, The Oprah Magazine, and holds a minority interest in OWN.^{Source [1]}^{Source [7]}

Leadership

Oprah Winfrey

Chairman^{Source [1]}^{Source [3]}^{Source [8]}

Since 1986

Funding and financials

Revenue (estimate): $314.5 million (2002 estimate)^{Source [1]}

People on Founded, and where they went next

1 person on record, connected to 2 other companies.

Person	Here	Also built
Oprah Winfrey	Founder, Chairman1986 to now	OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network2008 to nowAcquiredOxygen Media1998Acquired

Sources

History of Harpo Inc., FundingUniverse. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Harpo, Inc., Reference for Business. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Harpo Productions, Wikipedia. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Oprah goes national, HISTORY. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Oprah getting her own TV network, TODAY, 2008-01-15. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Discovery Increases Ownership Interest in OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Discovery, Inc., 2017-12-04. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Discovery, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal year 2020, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR), 2021-02-22. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
SHRM Announces Global Media Leader and Philanthropist Oprah Winfrey as SHRM26 Main Stage Speaker, SHRM, 2026-01-26. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.

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