Sat, 21 Nov 2009 4:22p.m.
It was the shot heard round the media world.
"After much prayer and months of careful thought, I've decided the next season, season 25, will be the last season of The Oprah Winfrey Show," Oprah told her fans last week.
And while it sent shock waves through Oprah's multi-million member fan club, it sent shivers through the television industry, where Oprah is the gold standard - a self-made nearly US$3 billion media empire.
Such success was hard to imagine back in 1986 when the little-known Chicago anchor began a syndicated talk show. But over the years, The Oprah Winfrey Show became the place for regular folks to share their stories and the rich and famous to tell their secrets.
Her vision of non-tawdry talk pulls in an estimated 42 million viewers a week in 145 countries, and 215 stations in the US have come to rely on Oprah's show to deliver viewers. Many use Oprah to provide a big ratings boost before their evening newscasts.
Also worried is the CBS corporation, which gets a large percentage of the licensing fees.
Oprah's departure will represent a seismic shift in the literary world as well - her book club has the power to turn obscure writers into best-selling authors.
And though she helped give name to Rachel Ray, Dr Phil and most recently Dr Oz, none has Oprah's magic.
Though she'll be seen through her new cable venture - the Oprah Winfrey Network - what will be left in her network TV wake is yet to be seen.
CBS