Heidi Klum, it's been a Lifetime; 'Project Runway' will be back

By April MacIntyre Apr 2, 2009, 2:18 GMT

German supermodel Heidi Klum. Catwalk drama once again for Lifetime, as the legal battles that raged between NBC Universal, the Weinstein Co. and Lifetime were settled for "Project Runway.". EPA/ANDREW GOMBERT

Catwalk drama once again for Lifetime, as the legal battles that raged between NBC Universal, the Weinstein Co. and Lifetime were settled for "Project Runway.".

The popular series is hosted by Heidi Klum.

The litigation kept the reality competition series on indefinite hiatus since September 2008, when a Manhattan court placed an injunction on the show.

Variety reports that the delay of the series impacted the bottom line for Lifetime.

Now the network can count in "Runway," the spin-off series "The Models of the Runway," and the third season of original hit drama "Army Wives" and the debut of the dramedy "Drop Dead Diva."

Variety reported that the Weinstein company can "move forward on the $150 million deal it cut with Lifetime last year for new seasons of "Runway"; the "Models" spin-off; and rights to a slew of Weinstein Co.-produced theatricals."

Lifetime is developing another show with the Weinsteins, called "Project Pygmalion."

The terms of their settlement are undisclosed.

"I want to personally congratulate (NBCU CEO) Jeff Zucker and NBCU on their success in the litigation and thank Jeff for resolving this in a professional manner," said Harvey Weinstein, in a statement released by Lifetime. "We look forward to working together on our ongoing projects."

Andrea Wong, President and CEO, Lifetime Networks said in her statement:

"I couldn’t be more excited that Lifetime will bring its viewers an amazing, all-new season of Project Runway this summer.  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. 

All of us at Lifetime are thrilled to move forward with Heidi, Tim, Nina, Michael, The Weinstein Company and the entire Project Runway team.  We are proud to add these shows to our growing slate of original programming, including the hit series Army Wives, the all-new upcoming series Drop Dead Diva and our top-rated original movies."