SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) September 15, 1997
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KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.
_____________________________________________________
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Delaware 1-9244 13-2565808
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(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
12400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90025
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (310) 826-1108
______________
1700 Broadway, New York, New York 10019
___________________________________________________________________
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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Item 5. Other Events.
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On September 15, 1997, King World Productions, Inc. (the "Compa-
ny"), issued a press release announcing the renewal of The Oprah Winfrey
Show for the 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 broadcast seasons. Pursuant to its
agreement with HARPO, in connection with the renewal the Company has issued
options to purchase an aggregate 500,000 shares of Common Stock at a price
of 39-5/16 per share.
A copy of the press release is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhib-
its. ________________________________________________________________
____
(c) Exhibits.
99.1 Press Release dated September 15, 1997.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.,
By: /s/Michael King
Name: Michael King
Title: Co-Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
Date: September 15, 1997
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Description
_______ ___________
99.1 Press Release dated September 15, 1997.
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EXHIBIT 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OPRAH WINFREY WILL CONTINUE TO HOST AND PRODUCE
"THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW" INTO THE NEXT CENTURY!
NEW YORK, NY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1997 - HARPO Productions, Inc., the producer of
The Oprah Winfrey Show, and King World Productions, Inc., the program's
distributor, today announced that Oprah Winfrey will continue hosting and
producing the Emmy Award-winning and top-rated The Oprah Winfrey Show
through the 1999-2000 broadcast season.
"I've thought long and hard about the reality of doing 400 more shows," Ms.
Winfrey said. "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. I am committed to continuing The
Oprah Winfrey Show through the 1999-2000 season. I have been encouraged by
our loyal viewers to keep the show going, and I am thankful for the support
of our affiliate stations around the world."
"The Oprah Winfrey Show has set and maintained television's highest
standards of quality for more than a decade, and we're thrilled that Oprah
has decided to continue on," said King World Chairman Roger King. "Oprah's
commitment to excellence is unparalleled, and she has had a positive impact
on millions of lives. We're proud to bring her exceptional program to
viewers around the globe."
Under terms of its agreement with HARPO, King World maintains the exclusive
right to distribute The Oprah Winfrey Show in first-run syndication through
the 1999-2000 television season. King World has sold the program in over
99% of the U.S. through the year 2000.
Ms. Winfrey, giving effect to her election to continue hosting the show
through the 1999-2000 broadcast season (and the issuance of 500,000 options
in connection therewith), will own options to purchase 2.05 million shares
of King World common stock.
The Oprah Winfrey Show begins its 12th season today. Since its 1986
premiere, the program has garnered 30 prestigious Daytime Emmy Awards,
including the 1997 "Outstanding Talk Show" honor. The show reigns as the
most popular talk show in the world today, and is the highest-rated talk
show in television history. The Oprah Winfrey Show has been the #1 talk
show in the U.S. for 43 consecutive sweeps periods, and is carried by 206
television stations nationwide and in 132 international markets.
The Oprah Winfrey Show is produced by HARPO Productions, Inc., at HARPO
Studios in Chicago, Illinois, and is distributed exclusively by King World
Productions, Inc.<PAGE>
For further information, contact:
Deborah Johns
Harpo Productions, Inc.
(312) 633-1165
Arthur Sando
King World Productions, Inc.
(212) 541-0212
Jeff Lloyd
Sitrick & Company
(310) 788-2850
