Oprah ending her show after 25th season

Oprah ending her show in 2011. Photo AP/Chris Pizzello

In news sure to rock housewives nationwide, Oprah Winfrey has announced she will cease production of The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2011, which would be the show's 25th season. Oprah's current contract expires that year.

Harpo, Inc., the production company that produces The Oprah Winfrey Show, issued a statement this afternoon about the move, also saying that Oprah will make the official announcement herself during a special live broadcast Friday, November 20.

It was previously rumored that Oprah would be taking her show to her new cable network in conjunction with Discovery Communications, owner of networks such as TLC, Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet. The new network is set to replace the struggling Discovery Health Channel.

But it would seem Oprah is planning on taking more of a backseat role in the continued building of her media empire, and will not be continuing her show on cable. Oprah previously hinted at retiring in 1997, but then extended her contract in 2002. In an interview with Larry King in 2007, Oprah said she was considering retiring from the show in 2011, and apparently she meant it.

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