"Project Runway" May Run Away for Good

By Jessica Caswell

All you fashion lovers out there, WARNING: It may take you a little longer than expected to get your "Project Runway" fix.

NBC Universal is battling it out in court with the Weinstein Co. over the show every fashionista loves to watch.

All of this came after the Weinstein Co. made a surprising announcement in April that it would move "Project Runway" from Bravo to Lifetime for a five year deal.

But NBC Universal wasn’t letting the show go that easy. It filed suit claiming that it had a right of first refusal to match any offer the producer received for the program according to www.adweek.com

The suit claims that Weinstein Co. is in breach of contract because it did not stick to that deal.

“NBC Universal is pleased that the court granted our motion for a preliminary injunction against The Weinstein Co.,” NBC Universal said in a statement.

"The overwhelming evidence demonstrated that the Weinstein Co. violated NBC Universal's right of first refusal to future cycles of 'Project Runway.' After hearing all of the evidence, the court issued an order prohibiting the Weinstein Co. from taking the show or any spin-off to Lifetime."

The production of season six is currently in progress. Lifetime scheduled the show to start airing its sixth season on its channel in November, but has now pushed it back to January because the legal mess.

However, Lifetime is determined to get "Project Runway" on its network.

"We are disappointed with the court's decision to grant the preliminary injunction against the Weinstein Co. It's unfortunate that the people hurt most by this ongoing dispute are the loyal fans of 'Project Runway'. In the meantime, Lifetime will pursue all measures to uphold its valid and binding agreement reached with the Weinstein Co. for season six of 'Project Runway,'" said a spokesperson for Lifetime.

The judge in the case, Richard Lowe III, explained his concern for the viewers in the ruling.

"What is of concern for this court is the time 'Project Runway' will be off of the air during the course of this litigation," said Judge Lowe.

The judge is right! It’s sad the show’s viewers have to deal with this court battle when all they want to do is watch a show they enjoy.

"Project Runway" is a great reality series with a fashion twist. It shows the viewers from start to finish how fashion is created and executed on the runway.

It makes everyday people see what it’s like behind closed doors for the people who create clothing for the stars we love to see walking down the red carpet.

Lifetime announced on Oct. 17 it's taking the case to another level saying that it wants to take the case to federal courts.

"Lifetime today removed the 'Project Runway' lawsuit from state court to federal court," the network said. "We did this because any issue relating to Lifetime's exclusive right to air future cycles of 'Project Runway' is a matter of federal copyright law and therefore should be heard by a federal court."

We will all have to wait and see what this means for "Project Runway." Hopefully, the sixth season will air before we find another reality show to win us over. Seems the only one worried about the viewers in this is the judge.