After being orphaned for almost a year due to legal deadlock, the sixth season of Project Runway has finally found a home: on Lifetime, where it will air this summer. "NBC Universal, The Weinstein Company and Lifetime have resolved their disputes," read a statement released today by NBC Universal, which owns Bravo, Runway‘s home for five seasons. "The Weinstein Company will pay NBCU for the right to move Project Runway to Lifetime. All of the parties are pleased with the outcome." (When The Weinstein Co. announced last April that Runway would be movingto Lifetime, NBC Universal sued for breach of contract. Eventually, The WeinsteinCo. countersued NBC Universal for allegedly failing to properly promote season 5, and Lifetime then sued both parties.)
Also in a statement, Lifetime Networks President and CEO Andrea Wong said: "I couldn’t be more excited that Lifetime will bring its viewers anamazing, all-new season of Project Runway this summer. As thehighest-rated cable network for women, Lifetime is the perfect home forthis outstanding program as well as its companion series, Models of theRunway. All of us at Lifetime are thrilled to move forward with Heidi,Tim, Nina, Michael, The Weinstein Company and the entire Project Runwayteam."
As for Harvey Weinstein, the Bravo statement quoted him as saying, "’I want to personally congratulate [President and Chief Executive Officer of NBC Universal] Jeff Zuckerand NBCU on their success in the litigation and thank Jeff forresolving this in a professional manner. We look forward to workingtogether on our ongoing projects.’" And in a statement of his own, Weinstein looked forward to not only the next five seasons of Runway (on Lifetime), but also spin-off shows Models of the Runway and Project Pygmalion. "With these upcoming shows and the success of our new series The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency on HBO, we are very excited aboutthe continued growth of The Weinstein Co’s television division," Weinstein said. "We arealso looking forward to working with NBC Universal on the upcomingtheatrical release of Inglourious Basterds and the continueddevelopment of other projects together."
Talk about it on PopWatch:
Yeah, I’m glad they were able to ‘make it work.’ I just hope it doesn’t suck on stodgy Lifetime.
“to properly promote” – ?? Missy, didn’t an editor or teacher tell you not to split infinitives? “to promote Season 5 properly” Just an FYI.
Excuse me, but what is Lifetime?
Well I love Project Runway and am happy that it will return, but I just don’t like the idea of having to tune into Lifetime to watch it. As a woman, I’ve made it a point to avoid anything on Lifetime so this will be tough for me. I was so hoping they would work things out with NBC so it would stay on Bravo. It’s their signature series!
Actually grammar fiend, split infinitves are perfectly acceptable in English. The idea that they are not is a holdover from Latin language rules. “To promote properly” or “to properly promote” are equally correct.
All right! Finally it’s coming back!
to Grammarfiend – Actually, I had more of a problem with the alliteration (“properly promote”) — three syllables out of five starting with “P’s”…..
Who knew that watching gay men sew could be so compelling? I can’t wait for the new season.
Better not be an April Fool’s joke…I have serious Runway (and Tim Gunn!) withdrawal going on.
This marks the end of the Great Recession.
The Fashion Forward designs of Project Runway will reduce unemployment, lift the Dow Jones and reduce the Libor.
Tim Gunn will make us all work.
Thank Heavens for Project Runway.
I so agree with you katja, I miss Project Runway.
Kind of upset that “Victim Television” will be airing Project Runway this summer. I was really hoping Bravo would still get to show it. I hate Lifetime *groans*
I am still in denial that Project Runway is moving to Lifetime. Being a gay guy, I have never watched anything on the Lifetime channel and probably never will. Bravo is my channel of choice.
I miss PR but I hate Lifetime and its programming. Ugh. This show should have stayed on Bravo. I may not move with it. I think Weinstein et al need to know people won’t follow wherever they let the $$$ lead them.
I love Project Runway! I can’t wait for this summer : )
I am a student at Boston U, taking an advertising class. We have to create an ad campaign for Sharpie markers. If you could take 5 minutes filling out this survey for consumer purchase, that would be AWESOME!
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/119571/advertising-project-team-mask-sharpie-survey