Miss America Changes Channels—Again
After getting dropped by CMT earlier this year, Miss America was sorely in need of a little TLC.
The organization behind the venerable beauty pageant has signed a new multiyear broadcast deal with the cable network best known for Trading Spaces and What Not to Wear, it was announced Monday.
In addition to airing the 2008 Miss America Pageant on Jan. 26, TLC will broadcast a new reality series centered on the lives of the women vying for the crown.
"We're thrilled to partner with the Miss America Organization and to broadcast the next generation of the Miss America Pageant," TLC president Angela Shapiro-Mathes said in a statement. "In addition, through a new reality series, we'll get to know 52 of the country's smartest and most beautiful women as they prepare for a competition they've dreamed of their entire lives."
Under the terms of the deal, TLC retains telecast rights to the pageant through 2010—though there's no guarantee that the network will actually exercise its option to broadcast the competition year after year.
After ABC dropped the pageant in 2004 due to sagging ratings, the Miss America Organization inked a new agreement with CMT, granting the network the option to stretch out telecast rights through 2011.
However, when a mere 2.4 million viewers tuned in to watch Lauren Nelson earn her tiara in January 2007, the country-music net declined to extend its deal with the swimsuit and evening gown set.
"While CMT deeply values its relationship with the Miss America Organization, the network has advised the organization of its plans not to exercise its option to televise the Miss America Pageant in 2008 and beyond," the network said in March.
This time around, the Miss America Organization seems determined to forge a more stable relationship with its new network.
"After thorough discussions and negotiations, we are confident that Miss America has found the perfect partner to host our pageant," said Sam Haskell, chairman of the Miss America Organization. "Miss America's move to TLC will give it the proper promotion and attention it deserves."
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