'Project Runway' embroiled in fierce a lawsuit

Zac Bissonnette — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Law, Television, General Electric (GE)

The Heidi Klum-hosted Project Runway has been one of the top shows on cable in recent years, providing General Electric (NYSE: GE)'s NBC Universal's Bravo network with a big hit. The show features up and coming designers competing for cash and an opportunity to launch their own line with a major fashion house.

Now the show's producer, Weinstein Co., wants to elope with Lifetime Networks. NBC has filed a lawsuit against Weinstein, alleging that the producer violated Bravo's right to buy future seasons of the show. For its part, Weinstein argues that it never granted Bravo a right of first refusal, which would have required it to get Bravo's permission before going a courtin' for a new network.

If Bravo lets this show slip away, it will be a huge mistake. Given Bravo's strong brand, you have to think that it can attract more viewers with the show than Liftetime -- meaning that it should be able to outbid Lifetime for the rights. It's not like ABC came along and offered the show a network primetime slot.

In the press release announcing the deal with Lifetime, Weinstein said that it wanted to "sincerely thank NBC Universal and Bravo for all their contribution and support." Apparently, this lawsuit is Bravo's way of saying you're welcome.

'Project Runway' embroiled in fierce a lawsuit originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Money Face-Off: Tyra Banks vs. Heidi Klum

Beth Gaston Moon — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 09:10:00 EST

Filed under: Competitive Strategy, General Electric (GE), Time Warner (TWX), CBS Corp 'B' (CBS), Technical Analysis

This post is part of our Money Face-Offs feature. Let us know who you think comes out ahead in this head-to-head match-up, and check out our other Money Face-Off posts.

As executive producers and hostesses of America's Next Top Model and Project Runway, respectively, Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum have proven that they are much more than just the pretty faces that catapulted them both to fame and fortune on the runway and in the pages of fashion magazines. On the former show, contestants long to hear their mentor, "Miss Tyra," tell them they are "still in the running to become America's Next Top Model." Runway contestants are informed that "You're either in ... or you're out" and cringe if they hear German-born Heidi eulogize: "I'm sorry, you're out ... auf wiedersehen."

The 33-year-old Banks -- featured on Time magazine's list of the world's 100 most influential people in 2006 and 2007 -- certainly keeps busy, hosting her own syndicated daytime eponymous talk show in addition to her efforts on Model, an addictive primetime competitive reality show that airs on The CW network -- a collaboration between CBS Corp. (NYSE: CBS) and Time Warner's (NYSE: TWX) Warner Brothers Entertainment Unit.

Continue reading Money Face-Off: Tyra Banks vs. Heidi Klum

Money Face-Off: Tyra Banks vs. Heidi Klum originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 16 Sep 2007 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments