Winner of the Week: The End of Lady O?

Most, no matter your nationality or region do not remember what daytime television was like pre-Oprah. Winner of the Week undisputedly goes to Oprah Winfrey. The talk show host / media mogul / billionaire businesswoman was unable to hold back tears when announcing her retirement from The Oprah Winfrey Show. The final curtain call is set for September 9, 2011 –marking 25 years of her daily hour-long program. During the announcement, Winfrey - who began as a local TV news reporter in Nashville, Tennessee at age of 19, said that her decision came after much prayer and careful thought. “I certainly never could have imagined the "yellow brick road" of blessings that have led me to this moment with you.” Her “yellow brick road,” has not only earned Oprah unprecedented fame and influence but also (for those of you living under a rock) a fortune. In 2003 she became the first African-American woman to land on Forbes list of billionaires raking in a staggering 2.7 billion (US$). Not a small task for a woman raised in Mississippi during segregation. “I came from nothing,' Winfrey wrote in Journey to Beloved in 1998. 'No power. No money. Not even my thoughts were my own. I had no free will. No voice. Now, I have the freedom, power, and will to speak to millions every day - having come from nowhere.'

Thanking loyal viewers and new fans of the show, the larger than life broadcast icon revealed the real reason for her departure.

“I love this show. This show has been my life. And I love it enough to know when it's time to say good-bye. Twenty-five years feels right in my bones and it feels right in my spirit. It's the perfect number—the exact right time.”

While the court of public opinion is split on whether or not the Daytime Queen should hang up her crown – most of the 42 million weekly viewers who have their remotes locked on her daily - are beyond saddened to see her go. But their sadness will not linger for long. This is by no means the end of the road for Lady O.

True to her groundbreaking nature, the 55 years young trailblazer will move onto OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. Debuting in 70 million homes in January of 2011, an official statement from HARPO describes OWN as “a 24-hour cable network that reflects her vision, values and interests.” The joint venture with Discovery Communications will replace the Discovery Health Channel.

OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network is the newest addition to the Winfrey’ brand empire. In addition to Harpo Productions (which produces The Oprah Winfrey Show, original TV programming and Oprah.com), there is Harpo Films, Harpo Print, Harpo Radio and ZoCo (an affiliate of Harpo), which produces The Dr. Oz Show, not to mention Dr. Phil and Rachel Ray.

While primetime may have lost one-hour of Oprah, cable wins with 24/7 Oprah. Ocean Splash! names Oprah Winfrey Winner of the Week for embracing change and plotting- yet again- on how to rule the world; one viewer at a time.