By Anne D'Innocenzio
The Associated Press

With its star facing a possible prison sentence, the floundering Martha Stewart Living television show will go on hiatus after the current season winds up, producers announced Tuesday.

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. also will eliminate 40 jobs in the television business segment by June 30, leaving 35 positions, a spokeswoman said. The company will post a restructuring charge of up to $2 million in the second quarter.

Production of the syndicated television show will continue for the remainder of the 11th season, through September. But its market reach has been nearly cut in half as affiliates dropped the show following Stewart's conviction.

"I am deeply sorry that it has become necessary for the show to go on hiatus until my personal legal situation is resolved," said Stewart, who is scheduled for sentencing June 17 on her conviction for lying about why she sold ImClone Systems stock in 2001, just before the price plunged.

Representatives of WKRC-TV in Cincinnati, a Clear Channel Communications station, did not return telephone calls Tuesday on the local status of Martha Stewart Living. It airs weekdays at 9 a.m. on Channel 12.