"Project Runway" Returning As Lawsuit Gets Settled

By Eriq Gardner

All stitched up!

NBC Universal has settled its lawsuit against the Weinstein Co. over the move of Bravo's signature series to Lifetime. Here's today's story in THR.

The deal itself was rather interesting, with Lifetime agreeing to delay airing the sixth season of "Project Runway," which has already been shot, until late summer. That will give Bravo the opportunity to get a little ahead of the new season with the introduction of its own new fashion-based reality series, "The Fashion Show."

NBC Universal was also paid an undisclosed sum in the settlement, reported in today's THR to be multiple millions in dollars.

After TWC surprised the industry by announcing the move of "Project Runway" to Lifetime last April, NBC Universal filed a breach of contract dispute. 

Orin Snyder of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher argued NBCU had the right of first refusal. Representing TWC in defense, David Boies and Motty Shulman of Boies, Schiller & Flexner disputed that the last July 2007 agreement between the two parties gave NBCU that right.

NBCU gained major leverage in September when a judge granted a preliminary injunction to temporarily block the move. The case looked headed for trial, but two weeks ago, the parties were back in court to argue an appeal of the injunction, which we predicted might spur some settlement talks.

Now, Heidi Klum gets to sashay back onto television. This summer is looking hot already.