EXHIBIT 99.1

                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



                  OPRAH WINFREY TO CONTINUE TO HOST AND PRODUCE
              "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW" FOR AN ADDITIONAL TWO YEARS
                             THROUGH THE YEAR 2002!


LOS ANGELES, CA, SEPTEMBER 24, 1998 -- HARPO Productions, Inc., the producer of
THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW and King World Productions, Inc., (NYSE:KWP) the
program's distributor, today announced that Oprah Winfrey will continue to host
and produce the Emmy Award-winning and highly-rated THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW for
an additional two years through the 2001-2002 broadcast season.

"I've renewed my commitment to continue THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW beyond the year
2000 because I believe that real-life stories and guidance from our team of
experts in a variety of fields can continue to enlighten and entertain our
millions of viewers around the world," said Ms. Winfrey. "Now, more than ever, I
am determined to 'run on and see what the end will be.'"

"THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW remains the premier talk show on television today,"
stated Roger King, Chairman of King World. "No one has ever made as powerful an
impact on the lives of viewers as Oprah, so we are thrilled that she has decided
to continue hosting and producing THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW through the 2001-2002
broadcast season and to extend the distribution of the show by King World. It is
an honor to be associated with Oprah Winfrey and her talk show, and we look
forward to taking this program of excellence and integrity into the 21st
century."

Under the terms of King World's current agreement with HARPO, King World is the
exclusive distributor of THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW through the 1999-2000 television
season, although HARPO is free to make any other arrangements for the
distribution of the show thereafter. Under the arrangements announced today,
HARPO and Ms. Winfrey have agreed to produce and host the show for the 2000-2001
and 2001-2002 seasons and to extend the engagement of King World as the
exclusive distributor of the show for those seasons.

Under the amendment to the agreement between HARPO and King World relating to
the distribution of the show, King World will receive distribution fees based on
a percentage of the gross revenues generated by the show. Such distribution fees
are significantly less than those applicable to seasons through the 1999-2000
season, and, as a result, the contribution of THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW to King
World's net profits and cash flow will decline. In connection with the
amendment, King World has also agreed to pay HARPO $75 million within 30 days,






representing an advance against the minimum participation payments to HARPO for
the 2000-2001 broadcast season and an additional $75 million to HARPO on June 1,
2000, representing an advance against minimum participation payments to HARPO
for the 2001-2002 broadcast season.

THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW kicked off its 13th season in syndication on September 8,
1998. Since its 1986 premiere, the program has remained the #1 talk show for 12
consecutive seasons and has garnered 32 prestigious Daytime Emmy Awards,
including the 1998 "Outstanding Talk Show" honor. Carried by 206 television
stations nationwide, and in 135 international territories, THE OPRAH WINFREY
SHOW reigns as the most popular talk show in the world, and is the highest-rated
talk show in television history.

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. in domestic and international markets.

King World is the leading worldwide distributor of first-run programming,
including WHEEL OF FORTUNE, JEOPARDY! and THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW, the three
highest-rated, first-run strips in syndication. The company produces and
distributes the syndicated newsmagazine INSIDE EDITION, and distributes the MR.
FOOD insert and a library of feature films and television programs. It also
co-produces and distributes THE ROSEANNE SHOW and HOLLYWOOD SQUARES, and will
co-produce and distribute THE MARTIN SHORT SHOW, which is being launched for
possible premiere in Fall 1999. The Company's barter subsidiary, King World
Media Sales, sells national advertising time in King World and other TV
programming. Another subsidiary, King World Direct, is a worldwide,
full-service, direct marketing company.

For further information, contact: Randi Cone, King World, (212) 315-4000