This took so long, will the fans return to watch?
'Project Runway' lawsuit settledReality show to air on Lifetime this summer
By DANIEL FRANKEL
After a yearlong legal battle, "Project Runway" is cleared to move to Lifetime, where it will bow in the summer.
NBC Universal, the Weinstein Co. and Lifetime jointly announced Wednesday that they've settled the litigation that has kept the hit reality competition series in limbo since September, when a Manhattan court placed an injunction on the show.
The delay in getting "Runway" on Lifetime's lineup has had a big impact on the cabler's programming plans during the past year, as it banked on its high-priced acquisition as a highly rated launching pad for other skeins. Viewership in primetime for Lifetime was down 12% in the first quarter year on year.
Lifetime can now count on some extra bounce to its sked in the coming months with the arrival of "Runway," its spinoff series "The Models of the Runway," the bow of the third season of original drama "Army Wives" and the debut of dramedy "Drop Dead Diva."
Lifetime was not specific on a preem date for "Runway."
For TWC, the settlement allows the company to move forward on the $150 million deal it cut with Lifetime last year for new seasons of "Runway"; the "Models" spinoff; and rights to a slew of Weinstein Co.-produced theatricals. In addition, Lifetime is developing another show with TWC, "Project Pygmalion."
Under terms of a settlement, "Runway" producer the Weinstein Co. will pay NBC U an undisclosed amount to release its interests in "Runway," which had previously been the highest-rated show on NBC U's Bravo cabler.
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