Project Runway Legal Mess

While skimming NY Mag, I saw this brief article:

The legal battle among the studios and networks fighting for control over “Project Runway” .... stem from a decision by the Weinstein Company, which produces “Project Runway,” to move the show from Bravo to Lifetime. NBC Universal, the parent company of Bravo, has sued the Weinstein Company, which has sued Bravo, and Lifetime sued them all, saying that the channel had exclusive rights to the show.... A sixth season of the show remains up in the air, pending resolution of the suits.

So Project Runway's move to Lifetime didn't work out so well. NBC sued the Weinstein brothers because they want to keep PR on Bravo. I considered a lawsuit to be a logical action taken by NBC since PR is the most popular show on that network, to lose it would be a big blow. Bravo thought they had a lasting agreement with the Project Runway producers but Lifetime swiped the show for $150 mil for the next five seasons. No doubt NBC/Bravo was pissed by the deal.

Then Weinstein Co. counter sues by claiming that Bravo intentionally refused to promote Season 5 by having few and not well done ads, showing spoilers, and limiting press about the season premier date. Huh? I watched season 5 and didn't notice any of those things.

Now Lifetime is suing both NBC and Weinstein Co. claiming they have exclusive rights and NBC is wrongfully blocking the cable channel from airing future Project Runway episodes. They sued the producers for selling rights to "Project Runway" without fully disclosing the potential conflict with NBC. Sounds like people are just pointing fingers at this point.

Lifetime can't show any PR stuff until these lawsuits are settled and have pushed back the premier date to Summer '09. In the meantime, Bravo is creating an eerily similar fashion design show, but America gets to vote who's in and who's out. I hope it doesn't end up as ridiculous as 'Make Me a Supermodel.'