Logo: Oprah Winfrey Network, Public domain

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

U.S. cable television network named for Oprah Winfrey.

Cable televisionScripted televisionMediaJoint venture

Acquired^{Source [4]}^{Source [5]}Last verified Oct 2, 2026

About OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is a U.S. cable network built around Oprah Winfrey. It was announced on January 15, 2008 as a 50-50 joint venture between Discovery Communications and Winfrey's Harpo Productions, taking the place of the Discovery Health Channel, and launched on January 1, 2011.^{Source [1]}^{Source [2]}^{Source [7]}

Its programming includes scripted dramas such as Queen Sugar, Greenleaf and David Makes Man and unscripted series such as Iyanla: Fix My Life and Super Soul Sunday. Discovery's 2020 annual report gave its target viewers as African American women aged 25 to 54 and counted approximately 74 million U.S. subscribers.^{Source [5]}^{Source [7]}

Discovery took majority control in December 2017 and raised its stake to approximately 94% in December 2020, with Harpo keeping a minority interest. Winfrey has been chairman since the venture began and CEO since July 2011, and Tina Perry has led the network as president since 2019. Warner Bros. Discovery lists OWN among its U.S. networks in its annual report for 2025.^{Source [4]}^{Source [5]}^{Source [8]}^{Source [7]}^{Source [6]}

What happened

Announced on January 15, 2008 as a 50-50 joint venture between Discovery Communications and Harpo Productions to replace the Discovery Health Channel, it launched on January 1, 2011. Discovery raised its stake to more than 70% in 2017 and to approximately 94% in December 2020, with Harpo keeping a minority interest. Warner Bros. Discovery lists OWN among its U.S. networks in its annual report for 2025.^{Source [1]}^{Source [2]}^{Source [4]}^{Source [5]}^{Source [6]}

Timeline

2020-12Discovery acquired an additional 20.2% from Harpo in exchange for $35 million of its Series A stock, reaching approximately 94% ownership.^{Source [5]}
2019-01Tina Perry became president of the network.^{Source [7]}
2018-11Discovery and Harpo amended the venture agreement after Harpo withdrew an August 2018 notice to sell its remaining stake.^{Source [5]}
2017-12Discovery paid $70 million for an additional 24.5% stake, taking its ownership above 70%, and Winfrey's exclusivity was extended through 2025.^{Source [4]}
2011-07Oprah Winfrey was named CEO, becoming the third person to lead the network since launch.^{Source [8]}
2011-01OWN launched, replacing the Discovery Health Channel.^{Source [7]}^{Source [2]}
2008-01Discovery and Harpo announced the 50-50 joint venture, with the network expected to reach nearly 70 million homes.^{Source [1]}^{Source [2]}

Products and brands

OWN cable network: U.S. cable channel carrying scripted and unscripted series.^{Source [5]}
Queen Sugar: Scripted drama series.^{Source [5]}^{Source [7]}
Greenleaf: Scripted drama series.^{Source [5]}^{Source [7]}
Iyanla: Fix My Life: Unscripted series.^{Source [5]}
Super Soul Sunday: Interview series hosted by Oprah Winfrey.^{Source [7]}
WatchOWN and OWN on Max: TV Everywhere app and streaming presence on Max.^{Source [7]}

Leadership

Oprah Winfrey	Chairman and CEO^{Source [8]}^{Source [9]}	Since 2011
Tina Perry	President^{Source [7]}	Since 2019

Funding and financials

U.S. subscribers: Approximately 74 million (December 31, 2020)^{Source [5]}

People on Founded, and where they went next

1 person on record, connected to 2 other companies.

Person	Here	Also built
Oprah Winfrey	Chairman, Chief Executive Officer2008 to now	Oxygen Media1998AcquiredHarpo Productions1986 to nowActive

Sources

Oprah getting her own TV network, TODAY, 2008-01-15. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Discovery Health 'OWN'ed by Oprah, Current, 2008-01-15. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Oprah Winfrey Network, Wikipedia. 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.
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal year 2025, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR), 2026-02-27. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
LEADERS Interview with Tina Perry, President, OWN TV Network and OTT Streaming, LEADERS Magazine, 2024-01. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Oprah Winfrey appointed CEO of OWN Network, CBS News, 2011-07-13. 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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