OPRAH WINFREY is wooing an unlikely savior for her flagging OWN network — ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER!
The media mogul has secretly been courting the "Terminator" star through his estranged wife MARIA SHRIVER, who's her close pal, sources say.
"Oprah is desperate to save OWN, and she's hoping Arnold will be her knight in shining armor," an industry insider told The ENQUIRER.
"She's realizing that her ‘every woman' programming isn't hitting it out of the ballpark viewer-wise. She wants Arnold to develop quality shows, including fitness programming, to attract both men and women. She also sees him hosting topical programs on everything from health and politics to pop culture."
While recent news reports claimed Oprah wanted Maria to join OWN, "She was just using Maria to get to Arnold," the source said.
And with the ex-California governor desperate to get back in Maria's good graces, he'd jump at the chance to help, the source added.
The high-profile couple's 25-year marriage blew up in May 2011 when it was revealed that Arnold, 64, had fathered a child with their housekeeper.
Maria, 56, filed for divorce weeks later. But the two have remained close for the sake of their four children, and Maria set up a meeting between her ex and Oprah.
"Maria wholeheartedly supports Oprah's plan to hire Arnold," said the source. "She wants to see Arnold get back on his feet. She knows that's best for him, as well as her family."
