By LocalNews8.com Staff
CHICAGO – During Friday's episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show, Oprah will speak to the American audience to confirm for herself the show that has catapulted her as a media giant will end after its 25th season.
"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."
In 1986, the "Oprah Winfrey Show" launched across America and is now viewed by 42 million viewers each week in the United States.
The show has received 48 Daytime Emmy Awards® and has been the consistent winner during ratings.
But even as the show is in the middle of its 24th season, Winfrey wanted to share the news and reasoning with her fans personally.
"Twenty-five years feels right in my bones and it feels right in my spirit. It's the perfect number—the exact right time. So I hope that you will take this 18-month ride with me right through to the final show."
The final show will be Sept. 9 2011. When production wraps, Winfrey plans to appear and participate in new programming on OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. OWN will be a 24-hour cable network that is said to reflect Oprah's vision, values and interests. OWN is set to launch January 2011.
What do locals think about Oprah signing-off?
"I just thought it was kind of sad because she does a lot of good for people through the medium of her show and I'm sure she'll keep doing good things," said local viewer, Angie Paxton. "But it'll be sad not to be able to watch it anymore."
Another local viewer, Stephanie Haderlie said, "I don't get to watch her so it'll be no big deal to me. I know she's done a lot of good, but it doesn't matter to me."
"I think there is going to be a lot of vying for the top spot now," added Paxton. "It'll be interesting to see who kind of rises to the top."
