According to the New York Post, "A courtroom catwalk cat-fight broke out today when Bravo abruptly lost control of its biggest hit - "Project Runway" - which will now begin airing on rival cable network Lifetime next November.
The shocking network switch appears to be the result of a deal gone sour between the show's producers, the Weinstein Company, and Bravo, a subsidiary of NBC. The abrupt move apparently Bravo executives by surprise.
NBC Universal slapped the Weinstein Company with a lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court this morning aiming to block the new deal.
Weinstein officials said that NBC had filed the suit after "declining to compete for the right to have 'Project Runway.'" The legal action was simply NBC trying to "disrupt the series moving to Lifetime."
"We believe this lawsuit is without merit," Weinstein counsell, David Boies said in a statement. "While good for the market for lawyers, it is always unfortunate when parties try to win in court what they lost in the marketplace."
NBC officials yesterday accused the Weinstein Company of negotiating with Liftime behind their backs and maintained that Bravo did not "lose" "Runway."
"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 Company unfortunately has refused to honor," and NBC Universal spokeswoman said.
"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."
Weinsten still owes Bravo one more season of "Runway," which is among the highest rated shows on cable.
The Lifetime press release announcing the shift indicated that Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn would remain on the show but failed to say whether Nina Garcia or Michael Kors would also come over with it".
Auf Weidersehen Bravo.
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