Oprah announced major news today when she revealed that Harpo and Discovery Communications (the people that bring us TLC, etc.) are joining forces to bring us OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network!

OWN's mission is:

To create multiple platforms for women, men and their families with a purpose and a passion: to celebrate life, to inspire and entertain, empowering viewers around the world to live their best lives, and by doing so, lift the lives of those around them in ever-widening circles.

According to Oprah.com, Oprah will serve as Chairman of the newly formed company and will be in charge of choosing programming and vision for the network. The network will run in place of the Discovery Health Channel and is scheduled to air in 2009. Oprah comments about the announcement, "For me, the launch of The Oprah Winfrey Network is the evolution of the work I've been doing on television all these years and a natural extension of my show."

Look for more information to be revealed in the coming months!