CHICAGO–The Oprah Winfrey Show, an iconic broadcast that began as a local Chicago talk show and grew over two decades into the foundation of a media empire worth billions, will end its run in 2011 after 25 seasons on the air, Winfrey's production company said Thursday night.

Winfrey, who from a seat on the couch of her set in Chicago's West Loop neighbourhood became a billionaire and one of the most powerful women in entertainment, plans to announce the final date for her show during a live broadcast on Friday, said Harpo Productions Inc.