"Project Runway" bids Goodbye to Bravo, says Hello to Lifetime

Last year in April, NBC Universal filed a lawsuit against Weinstein, blocking the cable channel from airing future episodes of the reality television series on Lifetime. In response to the NBC lawsuit, Lifetime filed a motion, seeking to move the case from state to federal court.

Subsequently, the Weinstein Co. sued NBCU-owned Bravo, and then in November last, Lifetime, a joint venture between Hearst and Walt Disney, countersued all the three companies, Weinstein Co., NBC Universal, and Bravo, claiming for exclusive rights over the show.

Now, this simmering legal mess over the airing of “Project Runway” has ended with an agreement allowing Weinstein to move its flagship show from Bravo to Lifetime. Under the settlement, Weinstein Co. has agreed to pay NBCU an undisclosed sum for the right to air the newest season of the show on Disney-owned Lifetime this summer. The show's sixth season has already been taped.

"NBC Universal, The Weinstein Company and Lifetime have resolved their disputes," NBCU said in a statement. "All of the parties are pleased with the outcome."

Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of the Weinstein Co., added: "I want to personally congratulate [President and CEO] Jeff Zucker and NBCU on their success in the litigation and thank Jeff for resolving this in a professional manner. We look forward to working together on our ongoing projects."

Pleased with the settlement, Lifetime President and CEO Andrea Wong said the highest-rated, female-centric channel Lifetime is "the perfect home" for the show.

She said: "I couldn’t be more excited that Lifetime will bring its viewers an amazing, all-new season of 'Project Runway' this summer… All of us at Lifetime are thrilled to move forward with Heidi, Tim, Nina, Michael, the Weinstein Company and the entire 'Project Runway' team.”

"Project Runway" is a Peabody Award-winning American reality television series that focuses on fashion design. The show, which had been a huge success for Bravo, is hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum and the contestants are judged by A-list designer Michael Kors and Elle magazine editor Nina Garcia.

In the 60-minute "reality" series, twelve talented but untested fashion designers compete with each other to create the best clothes and are usually provided a limited amount of time to finish their designs, and a budgeted stipend to select and purchase fabric for their clothing ideas.

One or more designers are eliminated each week, based on their scores and other considerations, until only 3 or 4 finalists are left.