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Monday, 25 September 2006, 09:36 GMT 10:36 UK

'Radio Oprah' begins broadcasting

Oprah Winfrey TV host Oprah Winfrey's radio station, called Oprah and Friends, has launched on US satellite radio.

It features a show presented by Winfrey and her best friend, Gayle King, on where they discuss news and gossip.

Poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou also hosts a show, along with several personalities from Winfrey's TV talk show and magazine O.

Broadcaster XM Satellite Radio will be hoping Winfrey can bring some of her 30 million TV viewers to its service.

The Oprah Winfrey Show has been America's highest-rated talk show for 18 consecutive series.

Female appeal

But financial analysts say the star's radio channel might not have the same impact.

"Oprah is not a radio personality, she's a TV personality," Kit Spring of investment bankers Stifel Nicolaus told Reuters.

"She mainly appeals to women and probably won't compel that many potential subscribers to go out and buy a radio."

Shares in XM Satellite Radio have halved in value this year over concerns about aggressive spending and a federal investigation into the broadcaster's marketing practices.

However, it is the largest satellite radio service in the US, with more than seven million subscribers.

Winfrey signed a three-year $55m (£31m) deal with the broadcaster in February.

Her channel will largely focus on lifestyle and advice programmes, and regular hosts include personal trainer Bob Greene, financial expert Jean Chatzky and design guru Nate Berkus - who all feature on Winfrey's TV show.

Winfrey herself is only expected to broadcast live on a limited basis.



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Related to this story:
Winfrey gets own US radio station (10 Feb 06 |  Entertainment )
'Winfrey author' admits falsehood (02 Feb 06 |  Entertainment )
Winfrey agrees to Letterman truce (22 Nov 05 |  Entertainment )
Winfrey rewards fugitive finders (12 Oct 05 |  Entertainment )
Oprah Winfrey 'producing musical' (26 Sep 05 |  Entertainment )
Oprah honoured with Freedom Award (08 Jul 05 |  Entertainment )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Oprah and Friends
XM Radio
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