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“Project Runway” to end on Bravo - Catfight over ‘Runway’ Update
The Weinstein Company, producers of “Project Runway, aren’t known for playing nice in the TV and film world. So yesterday’s shocking announcement that the firm had signed a five-year deal with the Lifetime network, seemed to only shock the fans.
UPDATED: When the sixth season of ‘Project Runway’ airs it will be on the Lifetime Network. (I’m not even sure what channel that is of if it is included in my package.) The fifth season will air sometime between now and November.
Deals with Michael Kors and Nina Garcia haven’t been reached and they may not be on the Lifetime version while Heidi Klumm and Tim Gunn are reported as being signed.
NBC, Bravo’s parent isn’t sitting in the wings. They’ve filed a breach-of-contract suit to try to block the move.
From the story that ran in the Hollywood Reporter (HR) and other news sources, it appears the Weinstein’s (the brother’s that run the Weinstein co.), were atempting to get access to the Bravo Network by tying the Project Runway deal to a deal that would give air time to other Weinstein productions. HR is estimating the deal for the Weinstein Co at as much as $150 million.
According to the press release issued by the company, “NBC Universal has continuing legal rights related to ‘Project Runway,’ including a right of first refusal to future cycles of the series, which the Weinstein Co. unfortunately has refused to honor. “NBC Universal regrettably had no alternative but to bring legal action to enforce its rights to this program, including the right to decide whether it is in the best interest of the company to continue to air the show under the proposed financial terms.”
What does this all mean for us, the devoted fans of the show? I hope they’re able to work this all out. “Project Runway” is one of the best reality TV shows on the tube… I’d hate to think about a TV season without it!
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Project Runway
Comments
By Publius
April 9, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
Lifetime? Isn’t that the channel with the movies about women in danger that my grandma watches?By Craig
April 8, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
Tony, I’ll check that… that’s what I get for writing before coffee!By Kim
April 8, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Wow - that is a bummer! I really enjoy the Bravo network - I never watch Lifetime! I suppose that is why they want the show. I hope it all gets worked out too because Project Runway is my favorite show - I would hate for it to get bogged down and delayed in red tape mumbo jumbo - I’m ready for them to bring on the next round! I wish it was on year round.By Tony
April 8, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
When you say above that the sixth season will air on Lifetime, does that mean the fifth will still be on Bravo? This was shocking news to me as well. I don’t want it to move to Lifetime, it has way too many commercials.