On March 1, Northwestel digital TV subscribers will have access to a new channel being launched by one of the most successful broadcasters in the world.

Northwestel will introduce OWN on March 1^st, the same date that the channel is being launched across Canada. It was launched in the United States on January 1^st. Northwestel is incorporating the new Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) into the Family and Education theme package.

Oprah Winfrey’s popular afternoon talk show is in its last season. The host has said that she is ending the show in order to focus on launching the OWN channel, which carries a variety of programming, including a mix of talk and reality shows, films and documentaries.

“Oprah Winfrey has been a considerable force in North American broadcasting and culture for more than two decades,” said Curtis Shaw, Northwestel Vice President Consumer Markets. “Her talk show has been very popular throughout that time and we expect that many Northerners will be very interested in having access to her newest broadcasting venture. We’re pleased to be able to include this new channel as part of our digital TV offering.”

OWN will replace VIVA on Northwestel TV’s Channel 316, as part of the Family and Education theme package for digital TV customers. The channel is available in Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Fort Nelson, High Level and coming soon to Fort Smith.

Customers who currently have the Family and Education package will automatically receive OWN as of March 1^st. To sign up for the package, or for digital TV, customers may call 1-888-423-2333.

More information about OWN can be found at www.oprah.com/own.

Northwestel provides complete telecommunications solutions and entertainment services in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta. The company’s operations span nearly 4 million square kilometres of the most remote and rugged areas of Canada.

In 2010, Northwestel contributed more than $600,000 in cash and in-kind donations to many northern community groups. Throughout its history, Northwestel has played a key role in the economic, social and cultural development of the North. Northwestel is recognized as a key contributor to the well-being of northern communities through its community investment program and the volunteer contributions of its employees.