Oprah Winfrey Network Sued: Catherine Dunn OWN Lawsuit

Oprah Winfrey Network Sued: Catherine Dunn OWN Lawsuit – Oprah Winfrey has made it very clear that she plans on leaving network television to start her own network, the Oprah Winfrey Network through Discovery Communications. They are nearly doubling the amount of money that they are pouring into the cable network venture to $189 million, which is up from the initial $100 million investment that they agreed to make. In return, Winfrey has said that she will boost her on-air presence by creating or starring in another show. The network is expected to launch in January to more than 80 million homes.

Because of previous contracts, Oprah is unable to host another talk show until successful syndication of her current talk show ends in September 2011. She already has a few high-profile celebrities who are on board with the new network. Julia Roberts will be creating a documentary on mothers, and rapper Jay-Z will be debuting his own show on the network as well. Rosie O’Donnell recently announced that she will be hosting her own talk show on the network.


Now, the network is facing its first lawsuit. An ex-employee who suffers from multiple sclerosis is suing the company for creating a “hostile work environment.” The individual, Catherine Dunn, 57, worked as an assistant at OWN in August 2008, claims that she had to leave because the network was unwilling to help her work around the symptoms that are related to her disease. She said that her position was filled by a “non-disabled younger employee” and that she is suing for wrongful termination.