
The highly anticipated "Oprah & Friends" channel (ch 156) launched today at 11:00am ET on XM Satellite Radio, with a special appearance from Oprah herself as she sat in with Gayle King for the debut broadcast.
"Oprah & Friends" will feature a mix of celebrities and everyday people in conversation with the shows' hosts, as well as caller-driven programming. Names such as Donald Trump, Julia Louis- Dreyfus, Annette Bening, Jon Bon Jovi, Nora Ephron, Carnie Wilson, Norman Lear, The New York Times' columnist Thomas Friedman, former presidential candidate Sen. Dennis Kucinich, and others are scheduled to appear on the channel during the first few weeks of broadcast.
Check out the original shows in the lineup for the "Oprah & Friends" channel on XM after the jump...
"The Oprah and Gayle Show" -- Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King provide a fly-on-the-wall glimpse into their great friendship as they talk about everything from the latest news to daily gossip in this "reality radio" show.
"The Gayle King Show" -- King offers her unique perspective on an array of topics ranging from current events and cultural trends to politics as well as compelling daily interviews with celebrities and notable public figures.
"The Dr. Robin Show" -- Through call-ins and interviews with guest experts, Dr. Robin Smith helps listeners learn how to strip away emotional barriers so that they can experience more fulfilling and enriching relationships.
"The Jean Chatzky Show" -- Offering life-changing financial pointers that help lower debt and find financial security, Chatzky welcomes guest experts and takes calls from listeners.
"The Dr. Oz Show" -- Dr. Oz engages callers with discussions on healing techniques, preventative medicine and the latest in health news so that listeners can make well-informed decisions about their health.
"The Bob Greene Show" -- Greene takes his best-selling fitness philosophies directly to XM listeners by providing them with advice, emotional support, and guidance on their road to better health.
"The Marianne Williamson Show" -- Williamson shares her spiritual wisdom with XM listeners as she explores how current social and political issues may affect our lives, and how we can all be part of a solution in a world weighed down by troubles.
"The Dr. Maya Angelou Show" -- The legendary Dr. Maya Angelou takes on issues spanning race, sex, age, and religion with famous, infamous and everyday people.She shares her remarkable wisdom and inspires listeners as they search for their own true voices.
"The Nate Berkus Show" -- America's most sought-after designer takes listeners' questions on home decor and style and helps them create living spaces that reflect their personal tastes and lifestyles.
"Oprah & Friends Sampler" -- Providing daily highlights, listeners will have a chance to "sample" all the programming offered on the "Oprah & Friends" channel.
"Weekend Encore" -- This weekly compilation of the highlights and memorable conversations from each show on "Oprah & Friends" gives busy XM listeners an opportunity to catch up with their favorite "Friends" every weekend.

Yawn... I'm sure dozens of housefrau's will badger their poor husband's to get them this.
When does she start airing her 1/2 Hour per week?
Dr.Oz's show has been great so far. Frank Torre talking about his heart transplant. Good stuff here. Replays at 7 which is good for me!
Highly anticipated?!?! The only people I know who would be interested in this channel are homemakers and those people are probably the least likely to go out and purchase a satellite radio receiver.
Todays stock price for XM looks pretty funny. It shot up just before 11, then showed a nice steady decline for the rest of the hour eliminating that gain and then some.
Mike. All they really need is a credit card and they can listen online. At work even. Oprah all the time. Im optimistic, sorry im an XMFan.
God bless you Frank Torre!
Hey, I admitted dozens will probably sign up, didn't I?
Also... Who's the drag queen in yellow next to Oprah in the picture? Not that there's anything wrong with that...
I think this will end up being a great thing for XM. And even if she only did a 1/2 hour show, I'd take that over replays of Howard
Tussell I didn't know you were a woman??? Or are you just a gay man?
Don't underestimate the things Oprah can do. Her followers jump when she says jump. You might make fun of those how watch her, but if they can listen to her and her friends while driving the squirts to soccer practice, they will get XM.
WE SPEAK YOUR NAMES!!
Come on iband, oprah has never done radio. i know the name oprah sells, but you better back it up.
Oprah doesn't have an actual 'show' in terms of what we're used to. She has a half hour 'phone conversation' replay with her friend Gayle King, and that's pretty much it.
It's the Oprah brand name that's selling this channel, not Oprah herself. Although now she has yet another marketing outlet for her growing empire.
Hoo Hoo, I invented being the monarch of all media....
" oprah has never done radio."
No?
"Began career as news reporter for WVOL Radio, Nashville, 1971-72; reporter
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/W/htmlW/winfreyopra/winfreyopra.htm
Yeah, im gay for wanting to hear a program by a renowned heart surgeon. Like its been said by people who arent brainwashed Stern fans. This isnt just about Oprah. Far from it actually. I will never listen to her 1/2 hour phone conversation with her cunt friend Gale. But Dr. OZ will be recorded ever night at 7pm on my Inno. Thank you.
"Todays stock price for XM looks pretty funny. It shot up just before 11, then showed a nice steady decline for the rest of the hour eliminating that gain and then some."
I remember the day Stern started. XMSR was up 1.73 for the day (off the news from CES). SIRI didnt move if i remember correctly.
My best guess is that a relative few people will sign up for XM because of Oprah's "presence" on it, then they will become disappointed when they find out that The Divine Miss O is barely on her own channel.
This channel is a HUGE bait and switch!
the good news for Oprah is having a show on tv ( not cable ) and on xm she won't have to worry about her web traffic dropping by 90% .
"Yeah, im gay..."
Well, at least you admit it! You must feel free!
Come on trussel, you argue that oprah did a year of radio 35 YEARS AGO. good one. Send Frank my regards
Well, she always had a face for radio...
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please Gale. you are Oprah´s best friend. help me. I will die here. Oprah has a show about what really matters to you. My daughters are my life. they are what really matters to me. I love you guys and John Gehron is so great too. Please answer me. It is my last chance to live again. love you all.HEAR ME, ANSWER ME. I AM A MOM ASKING FOR HELP TO BE WITH DAUGHTERS. I WILL DIE HERE. HELP PLEASE. TALK TO OPRAH FOR ME . THANK YOU, CHRISTINA LOBATO