Will Oprah’s new TV network strike a chord with viewers?

LONDON - Oprah Winfrey finally launched her new TV cable network this Saturday and it’s only a matter of time before its popularity with viewers is gauged.

The network, called OWN aims to capitalise on Winfrey’s phenomenal fan base as a presenter.

“Happy New Year everybody and welcome to OWN. This is a very exciting day for me kicking off the next chapter of my life with all of you. Yes, the Oprah Winfrey Network is finally on the air,” the Telegraph quoted her as saying.

Her very first programs to be aired on the channel are “Finding Sarah”, hosted by Ms Ferguson, and “Why Not?” with Grammy-award winning Canadian diva Shania Twain.

But will the show strike a chord with viewers?

“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.

“Plus, the fact that she’ll still be on her syndicated show will probably be confusing to some people.”

Winfrey admitted in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal that it may take time to translate the success of a show she’d done 140 times a year into a network which airs 24 hours a day.

“If you’re on the outside looking in, of course it looks like a big risk. But for me, it’s not so much about going wider. It’s about going deeper, so that you have a platform that has a deeper impact,” she said.

The chat show queen added that for the first time she had given cameras full access to the “very private world of Oprah Winfrey”. (ANI)