BREAKING. ''Oprah will leave a HUGE GAP'' says SABC3.

You're reading it here first. I just heard from SABC3 and got an official response - the channel's first since the breaking news this morning that Oprah Winfrey is going to announce on her show in America tonight (SA time) that she's calling it quits on 9 September, 2011.

Renette Bengis, SABC3's acting channel head said losing The Oprah Winfrey Show would leave ''a huge gap'' on SABC3.

''The Oprah Winfrey Show is one of the key pillars as well as a signature property that is aligned and reflects the SABC3 brand,'' she says.

''It is a key audience and revenue driver for the channel.''

I can confirm that SABC3's current contract to air The Oprah Winfrey Show runs until December 2010, which SABC3 will undoubtedly renew for the additional year that it will be on in America (which would mean that it's on-air in South Africa until the end of 2012).

''It is unfortunate that the show will come to an end,'' says Renette. ''Her show will be sorely missed. SABC3 will have to find a property that will be able to fill THE HUGE GAP that Oprah will leave to satisfy our audiences as well as be a revenue driver.''