Michael King, innovative syndicator of 'Oprah,' dies at 67

NEW YORK (AP) - Michael King, an innovative TV syndicator who helped make stars of Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil McGraw and Rachael Ray, has died.

A family member confirms King died Wednesday in Los Angeles of complications from pneumonia. He was 67.

With his brother Roger, Michael King inherited King World Productions in 1972 from their father.

Under their management, the company rose to be the industry's leading distributor of first-run, syndicated programming, bringing such shows to TV as "The Oprah Winfrey Show," ''Dr. Phil," and revived versions of "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune."

King World also launched the long-running syndicated news magazine "Inside Edition."

Roger King died in 2007 at age 63.

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