Winfrey Show To Extend Through 1999-2000 Season

Daytime-talk queen Oprah Winfrey, citing her desire to continue to “help people lead better lives,” told her national TV audience Monday she will host and produce her show through the 1999-2000 season.

Monday was the last day under terms of her old contract with King World Productions Inc. to notify the syndicators of her intentions.

“I believe I’ll run on to see what the end will be,” Winfrey told a live audience at the taping of her show, quoting an old spiritual.

She said that when the June summer break in her show came, she was undecided about going beyond this 12th season.

“I’ve thought long and hard about the reality of doing 400 more shows,” she said in a statement. Later she told her TV audience, “I want to use television not only to entertain but to help people lead better lives. I realize now, more than ever, that the show is the best way to accomplish these goals.”

Her Harpo Entertainment Group produces the weekday program, which is distributed to 206 U.S. markets and 132 countries and has helped her create an empire whose net worth is estimated at close to $420 million and includes feature filmmaking and original TV movies for ABC.