OWN ANNOUNCES SPIRIT-THEMED PROGRAMMING IN OCTOBER SURROUNDING THE LANDMARK EVENT SERIES "BELIEF" PREMIERING OCTOBER 18-24

Oprah Winfrey Shares the Inspiration Behind "Belief" in "Inside OWN: Oprah and Belief Behind the Scenes" Airing Oct. 1

Special Episodes of "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" (Oct. 17) and "Oprah's Master Class" (Oct. 11) Spotlight Memorable Newsmakers and Iconic Masters

"The Best of the Oprah Show (Spirit)" Begin Sept. 27 For Four Weeks

"SuperSoul Sunday" Episodes Feature Pakistani Activist Malala Yousafzai (Oct. 11) and The Dalai Lama (Oct. 18)

Television Premiere of Documentary Film "Death Makes Life Possible" Airs October 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT

Los Angeles - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today a special lineup of spirit-themed programming honoring belief and spiritual practices around the world in advance of the seven-night landmark television event "Belief," premiering Sunday, October 18-24 at 8 p.m. ET/PT each night and narrated by Oprah Winfrey.

The network will present an exclusive first look at "Belief," the groundbreaking original documentary series that depicts people from a wide range of beliefs and spiritual practices, showing how people from different religions and backgrounds search for deeper meaning and connect with the world around them. This intimate special, "Inside OWN: Oprah and Belief Behind the Scenes," airs Thursday, October 1 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Click here to view a sneak peek of "Inside OWN: Oprah and Belief Behind the Scenes:" www.Oprah.com/belief

Immediately following is the television premiere of the documentary "Death Makes Life Possible" airing Thursday, October 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT that explores some of the central questions about life and death from a variety of spiritual, religious, and scientific perspectives.

The two-time Emmy Award-winning series "SuperSoul Sunday" will also debut new episodes in October featuring Oprah's inspirational interviews with today's top thinkers, visionaries and spiritual leaders designed to help viewers awaken to their best selves and discover a deeper connection to the world around them. Episodes will feature Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai (Oct. 11) and The Dalai Lama (Oct. 18).

Other special programming throughout the month include "Oprah's Master Class" airing Sunday, October 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, featuring powerful firsthand accounts from iconic "masters" such as Maya Angelou, Morgan Freeman and Jane Fonda and "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" airing Saturday, October 17 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, which spotlights memorable newsmakers with spiritual stories such as actor Rainn Wilson, plane crash survivor John Diaz and Oprah's favorite "Oprah Show" guest of all-time Dr. Tererai Trent.

In addition, the network will air episodes of "The Best of the Oprah Show (Spirit)" featuring past "Oprah Winfrey Show" guest interviews with spiritual leaders such as Deepak Chopra, Gary Zukav, Marianne Williamson and Eckhart Tolle, airing four consecutive Sundays beginning September 27 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Schedule: *all times Eastern

"Inside OWN: Oprah and Belief Behind the Scenes"

Thursday, October 1 8 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. ET/PT

"Death Makes Life Possible"

Thursday, October 1 8:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

"SuperSoul Sunday"

Sunday, October 11 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. - "Malala Yousafzai" Sunday, October 18 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. - "The Dalai Lama"

"Oprah's Master Class"

Sunday, October 11 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. ET/PT - "Oprah's Master Class: Belief Special"

"The Best of the Oprah Show (Spirit)"

Sunday, September 27 10 a.m. - noon ET/PT - "Marianne Williamson/Love and Prayer" (2 hour) 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. ET/PT - "Gary Zukav Lightbulb Moments" Sunday, October 4 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. ET/PT - "What's Your Spiritual Belief?" 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. ET/PT - "Shirley MacLaine: Out On A Limb" 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. ET/PT - "Conversations with Oprah: Deepak Chopra" Sunday, October 11 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. ET/PT - "Gary Zukav's Soul Stories" 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. ET/PT - "Best Life Week: Finding Your Spiritual Path" 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. ET/PT - "The Power of Prayer" Sunday, October 18 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. - "There Are Angels Around Us" 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. ET/PT - "A New Earth" Phenomenon: An Hour That Can Change Your Life" 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. ET/PT - "Gary Zukav on Real Power"

"Oprah: Where Are They Now?"

Saturday, October 17 10 p.m. - 11 p.m. ET/PT - "Oprah: Where Are They Now? Belief Special"

"Belief"

Sunday, October 18 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. ET/PT - "The Seekers" Monday, October 19 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. ET/PT - "Love's Story" Tuesday, October 20 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. ET/PT - "Acts of Faith" Wednesday, October 21 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. ET/PT - "A Change is Gonna Come" Thursday, October 22 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. ET/PT - "God Help Us" Friday, October 23 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. ET/PT - "The Practice" Saturday, October 24 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. ET/PT - "A Good Life"

Detailed show descriptions below:

"Inside OWN: Oprah and Belief Behind the Scenes"

OWN presents an exclusive first look at "Belief," the groundbreaking original documentary series that depicts how people with a wide range of beliefs search for deeper meaning and connection with the world around them. In this intimate special, Oprah Winfrey reveals what went into the creation of this passion project that has been over three years in the making, taking documentary filmmakers to 33 locations around the world and capturing thousands of hours of footage in some of the most remote places on earth. For the first time, Oprah will share behind-the-scenes anecdotes and what she hopes will resonate with viewers of all faiths and cultures. The special will also introduce some of the most compelling stories in "Belief," each illustrating the rituals and relationships that bind us all together as human beings.

"Death Makes Life Possible"

In the documentary film "Death Makes Life Possible," cultural anthropologist Marilyn Schlitz explores some of the central questions about life and death from a variety of spiritual, religious, and scientific perspectives, weaving personal stories of near-death and after death encounters together with spiritual beliefs and scientific evidence to create a compelling and thought-provoking look at life, death, and what lies in between. Schlitz talks with a physician facing terminal cancer; a man struck by lightning; a neurophysicist who has conducted studies on people at the moment of death; a man claiming a close connection to departed loved ones when he was in a state of deep coma; a Navajo healer who has journeyed through diverse spirit realms, and a woman who devotes herself to ministering to the dying. Deepak Chopra, world-renowned author and pioneer in mind-body medicine, also shares his own perspective on life and death, noting that the key to the conquest of death is discovering who you really are. "Death Makes Life Possible" offers an exploration into the ultimate questions about death and the afterlife that we all face - and how redefining death can transform our fears into inspirations for living. The film is a companion to the book "Death Makes Life Possible" (Sounds True Publisher).

"Oprah's Master Class"

Oprah Winfrey hosts a special edition of "Master Class," as the series' remarkable masters discuss how turning to a power greater than themselves lead them through the most pivotal moments of their lives. Masters share personal accounts of faith and loss, rituals and spiritual lessons that help shape what they believe today and continue to inform their every move. Sharon Stone, Jay Z, Morgan Freeman, Lenny Kravitz, Susan Sarandon, Dr. Maya Angelou, Berry Gordy, Jr., Jon Bon Jovi, Robin Roberts, Goldie Hawn, Jane Fonda, Alicia Keys and Billy Bob Thorton are among masters featured in this powerful episode on belief.

"Oprah: Where Are They Now?"

In celebration of OWN's landmark television event "Belief," "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" will follow up with some of our most fascinating, inspiring and provocative guests who challenged us to look at our lives in a new light and ask, "What do I believe?" In 2010, "Oprah" show viewers witnessed the hidden world of nuns and found out what life was like as a "sister." The "Oprah Nuns," the Dominican Sisters of Mary, reveal not only about what they believe, but how several "Oprah" show viewers were inspired to answer the call. After surviving a horrific plane crash, John Diaz shared with Oprah in 2007 his unique experience seeing auras leave the bodies of crash victims, some brighter than others, inspiring John to create the brightest aura for himself. John shares how his life has changed. Up next, we also talk with the parents of Jessica Gowe, one of the victims of the Aurora, Colorado theater shooting, to find out how this family's beliefs and day to day lives have been affected by tragedy. Next, one of Oprah's most memorable "SuperSoul Sunday" interviews with "Office" star and Soul Pancake creator Rainn Wilson is revisited, revealing more of Rainn's beliefs and how they inspire his life and art. In 2006, Oprah and Gayle met people from all walks of life during their infamous road trip. We follow up with an Amish couple they encountered in Fredericksburg, Ohio and find out more about their fascinating lives and beliefs. And finally, in 2009 we met Dr. Tererai Trent, Oprah's favorite "Oprah" show guest of all-time. Tererai's resolute belief in herself and her future proved anybody can make great accomplishments happen in their lives. We follow up with Tererai and update the amazing progress she has made in providing education to children in Zimbabwe.

"SuperSoul Sunday"

"SuperSoul Sunday" is the two-time Emmy award-winning series that delivers timely, thought-provoking, eye-opening and inspiring programming designed to help viewers awaken to their best selves and discover a deeper connection to the world around them. The series features all-new conversations between Oprah Winfrey and top thinkers, authors, visionaries and spiritual leaders exploring themes and issues including happiness, personal fulfillment, spirituality, conscious living and what it means to be alive in today's world.

"The Best of the Oprah Show (Spirit)"

The best of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" featuring interviews with Oprah and guests discussing spiritual content.

"Belief"

This groundbreaking original series invites viewers to witness some of the world's most fascinating spiritual journeys through the eyes of the believers. Traveling to the far reaches of world, and to places cameras have rarely been, "Belief" searches the origins of diverse faiths and the heart of what really matters. From the epic to the intimate, webbed throughout each hour are stories of people on spiritual journeys, taking them to sacred spaces, including: the largest peaceful gathering in the history of the world as a group of believers seek redemption along the banks of a holy river; a free climber on the side of a mountain who believes there is no greater power than just being present as he climbs without rope; inside the ceremonies of the past as a 21st century woman seeks to find a miracle cure using ancient ceremonial treatments; the quiet of the night as a culture seeks to hang on to its 50,000 year-old history by searching the stars for insight to share with future generations; and, a courtroom and prison where a grieving mother must grapple with forgiveness as she comes face-to-face with her son's killer. These stories and others will all lead us to ask: "What do you believe?"

About OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey's heart and creative instincts inform the brand - and the magnetism of the channel. Winfrey provides leadership in programming and attracts superstar talent to join her in primetime, building a global community of like-minded viewers and leading that community to connect on social media and beyond. OWN is a singular destination on cable. Depth with edge. Heart. Star power. Connection. And endless possibilities. OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications. The network debuted on January 1, 2011 and is available in 85 million homes. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com. For more information, please visit http://www.oprah.com/own.