Entertainment | Oprah Oprah Network's New CEO: Oprah Winfrey expected to take full control of channel By Evann Gastaldo Posted Jul 13, 2011 8:39 AM CDT Copied Oprah Winfrey stops to talk with members of the media after a session at the Sun Valley Inn for the 2011 Allen and Co. Sun Valley Conference, Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Sun Valley, Idaho. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) The Oprah Winfrey Network is struggling—what to do? Why, bring in Oprah Winfrey as CEO, of course. Sources tell the Wall Street Journal Winfrey will also become chief creative officer of her own network; she already serves as chairman of the cable channel. The move, expected sometime this fall, comes as the fledgling network is suffering from mediocre ratings and signals Winfrey's intention to take full control from here on out. Winfrey is attending industry events and raising her profile, showing that she will take a more hands-on approach and affiliate the channel more closely with her TV production company, Harpo Studios. The presidents of Harpo are expected to take over this month as presidents of OWN, and Harpo will begin directing OWN programming. Several new high-profile shows coming up in October and January, including two that feature Winfrey and a new talk show helmed by Rosie O'Donnell, are expected to help ratings. Read These Next New Fox star, 23, misses first day after car troubles. Iran's supreme leader makes first public comments since ceasefire. Man accused of killing his daughters might be dead. Her blood isn't compatible with anyone else's. Report an error