Why Oprah Winfrey Is Going Off-Air in 2011

Yes, Oprah's going off the air...but not really.

While Oprah announced on Friday afternoon's live show that TV will see her final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show on September 9, 2011, she has also revealed exactly why she's bringing that show to a close: it's now official, she's starting OWN - the Oprah Winfrey Network.

"Twenty-five years feels right in my bones and feels right in my spirit," Oprah said. She added, "I certainly never could have imagined the yellow brick road of blessings that have led me to this moment."

And she promised: "Over this holiday break, my team and I will be brainstorming new ways that we can entertain you and inform you and uplift you when we return here in January. And then, season 25 -- we are going to knock your socks off."

So what will Oprah do on September 10, 2011 and every day after that? Sources suggest that she might do a smaller version of The Oprah Winfrey Show -- but that essentially it would be a carbon copy.

See? Not so scary after all. The Oprah Winfrey Network is scheduled to debut in January 2011.