Ellen DeGeneres shares series-ending news with viewers: 'You all have changed my life'

On Thursday's episode of "The Ellen Degeneres Show," Ellen DeGeneres told the studio audience and viewers watching from home that her show will come to an end after next season.

"My instincts told me it's time to end this amazing chapter," she said of her decision.

"In 1997 I knew it was time to come out on my sitcom," DeGeneres, 63, said.

"Recently I had a dream that a bird, a beautiful bird with bright red feathers flew to my window and whispered, 'You can still do stuff on Netflix.' And that was the sign I was looking for," she joked.

DeGeneres told her audience, "So, the past 18 years, you have to know, has changed my life. You all have changed my life and I am forever grateful to all of you for watching, for laughing, for dancing ... sometimes crying. This show has been the greatest experience of my life, and I owe it all to you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

The talk show host said the "fantastic final season" will be "a season where I truly get to say, 'Thank you, all.' It will truly be a celebration ... there will be a lot of surprises, a lot of trips down memory lane."

DeGeneres also welcomed Oprah Winfrey to the show -- virtually. Winfrey discussed leaving her own iconic talk show and revealed what she still misses about it, while DeGeneres shared what she'll miss about hers.

The 19th and final season of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" is set to premiere Monday, Sept. 13.