April 2nd, 2009 2:14 pm

‘Project Runway’ cleared for Lifetime

After a long legal battle between NBC Universal and The Weinstein Company; fashion comp ‘Project Runway’, has finally been given the go ahead to move to Lifetime.

After a long legal battle between NBC Universal and The Weinstein Company, fashion comp ‘Project Runway’, has finally been given the go ahead to move to cable channel, Lifetime.

It’s been reported that NBC Universal has paid millions of dollars in the settlement, which included an injunction against The Weinstein Company and Lifetime to delay the launch of the long-awaited sixth season of ‘Runway’.

‘Runway’ was originally slated to start on Lifetime last November.

“I want to personally congratulate Jeff Zucker and NBCU on their success in the litigation and thank Jeff for resolving this in a professional manner,” Harvey Weinstein said in a statement released by NBC post settlement. “We look forward to working together on our ongoing projects.”

NBC Universal will launch their competitor to ‘Runway’, ‘The Fashion Show’, May 7 on Bravo, which is expected to complete its run before the top-rating ‘Runway’ returns on Lifetime in August.

“As the highest-rated cable network for women, Lifetime is the perfect home for this outstanding program as well as its companion series ‘Models of the Runway,’ ” Lifetime Networks CEO Andrea Wong said.

“All of us at Lifetime are thrilled to move forward with Heidi, Tim, Nina, Michael, the Weinstein Co. and the entire ‘Project Runway’ team.”

‘Project Runway’ is produced by The Weinstein Company and distributed by FremantleMedia.

A local version of ‘Project Runway’ airs on the Arena channel, which has coincidentally been re-branded inline with Bravo. The series is hosted by Kristy Hinze.