A Professional Biography of Oprah Winfrey
Oprah on the Radio:
At 17, Oprah was offered a part-time job at radio station, WVOL AM 1470, in Nashville, Tennessee after winning a beauty contest representing the station.
The Move to Television News:
While working at WVOL part-time and attending Tennessee State University, Oprah received an offer from WTVF-TV, the local CBS station in Nashville as an evening news anchor. Oprah continued to attend school and work at the station -- she was the youngest and first African-American news anchor in Nashville.
Heading to Baltimore:
In 1976, Oprah left Nashville for a new position as news reporter and anchor at WJZ-TV. August 16, 1976 was Oprah's first time appearing as anchor on the 6:00 news in Baltimore.
People Are Talking:
Oprah remained at WJZ-TV, but in 1978 began co-hosting a new morning talk show called People Are Talking, along with Richard Sher. While on the show, Oprah and Richard had a higher Baltimore audience than the nationally syndicated Phil Donahue Show.
Moving on to Chicago:
After 6 years hosting People Are Talking, in 1984, Oprah landed a job hosting A.M. Chicago. This new show was taped in the same city as "rival" Phil Donahue. After just one year, Oprah's talk show name was changed to The Oprah Winfrey Show, and soon after received higher ratings than Donahue's program.
The Big Screen:
After long aspiring to be an actress, Oprah had her chance in the 1985 film, The Color Purple, playing Sofia. The film was directed by Steven Spielberg, and Oprah received an Academy Award nomination for her performance.
National Syndication:
In 1986, Oprah's talk show was bought by King World Productions, Inc., and became a nationally syndicated program -- she became the first African-American host to receive national programming. After this move, Oprah began Harpo Productions, Inc.
Show Ownership:
In 1988, Harpo Productions purchased the rights to The Oprah Winfrey Show, and the format began switching from live tapings, to pretaped.
Talk Show Host to Media Mogul:
Since 1988, Oprah has increased her success by expanding her empire into every medium available -- and she shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.
At 17, Oprah was offered a part-time job at radio station, WVOL AM 1470, in Nashville, Tennessee after winning a beauty contest representing the station.
The Move to Television News:
While working at WVOL part-time and attending Tennessee State University, Oprah received an offer from WTVF-TV, the local CBS station in Nashville as an evening news anchor. Oprah continued to attend school and work at the station -- she was the youngest and first African-American news anchor in Nashville.
Heading to Baltimore:
In 1976, Oprah left Nashville for a new position as news reporter and anchor at WJZ-TV. August 16, 1976 was Oprah's first time appearing as anchor on the 6:00 news in Baltimore.
People Are Talking:
Oprah remained at WJZ-TV, but in 1978 began co-hosting a new morning talk show called People Are Talking, along with Richard Sher. While on the show, Oprah and Richard had a higher Baltimore audience than the nationally syndicated Phil Donahue Show.
Moving on to Chicago:
After 6 years hosting People Are Talking, in 1984, Oprah landed a job hosting A.M. Chicago. This new show was taped in the same city as "rival" Phil Donahue. After just one year, Oprah's talk show name was changed to The Oprah Winfrey Show, and soon after received higher ratings than Donahue's program.
The Big Screen:
After long aspiring to be an actress, Oprah had her chance in the 1985 film, The Color Purple, playing Sofia. The film was directed by Steven Spielberg, and Oprah received an Academy Award nomination for her performance.
National Syndication:
In 1986, Oprah's talk show was bought by King World Productions, Inc., and became a nationally syndicated program -- she became the first African-American host to receive national programming. After this move, Oprah began Harpo Productions, Inc.
Show Ownership:
In 1988, Harpo Productions purchased the rights to The Oprah Winfrey Show, and the format began switching from live tapings, to pretaped.
Talk Show Host to Media Mogul:
Since 1988, Oprah has increased her success by expanding her empire into every medium available -- and she shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.
- Harpo Films continues to produce made for television movies and feature films starring A-list actors -- many times including herself.
- Oprah launched O: The Oprah Magazine in 2000, and O at Home in 2003.
- Oprah and Friends on XM Satellite Radio was launched in 2006.
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