That didn’t take long.
The Miss USA Pageant, sponsored the Miss Universe Organization, co-owned by business mogul and GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, was booted off both Spanish-language network Univision and its sister company, NBC, in the wake of Trump’s un-PC remarks about the criminal element present among illegal immigrants crossing the border into the U.S. from Mexico.
NBC also said it wouldn’t air the related Miss Universe pageant, and cut ties in general with Trump, host and executive producer of its popular “Celebrity Apprentice” reality series (also executive-produced by Mark Burnett, who recently did “The Bible” for History and “A.D.: The Bible Continues” for NBC, with wife Roma Downey). Joining the exodus was Macy’s, which said it would no longer sell Trump-branded menswear.
Trump has filed a $500M lawsuit against Univision for breach of contract, and it appear he has a strong case. Trump has also threatened to sue NBC, saying the network has stood “behind lying Brian Williams” (click here for more on that at CatholicVote) while abandoning him.
Whatever the outcome of all of this, Trump has wasted no time finding a new home for his pageant. Albuquerque-based cablenet REELZ Channel has stepped in to air the event on July 12.
The cabler is no stranger to programming controversy.
Previously, REELZ nabbed the 2011 miniseries “The Kennedys” originally produced for History, which refused to air it (and now REELZ is planning a sequel, bringing Katie Holmes back as Jackie Kennedy). REELZ then picked the provocative 2012 Sarah Palin-focused documentary “The Undefeated.”
Here’s the announcement from REELZ, which was sent out this morning:
REELZ ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO EXCLUSIVELY TELECAST
THE 2015 MISS USA® PAGEANT LIVE – SUNDAY, JULY 12 AT 8:00 PM ET(Albuquerque, NM) Thursday, July 2, 2015— REELZ today announced they have acquired the rights to exclusively telecast the 2015 MISS USA® Pageant on Sunday, July 12 at 8:00 PM ET and PT.
“The decision on the part of REELZ to acquire the rights to the MISS USA Pageant was based on our belief that this special event, and the women who compete in it, are an integral part of American tradition,” said Stan E. Hubbard, CEO of REELZ. “As one of only a few independent networks, we decided to exercise our own voice and committed ourselves to bringing this pageant to American viewers everywhere. For us, this decision is about the dreams of the contestants who come from all walks of life across the United States, the city of Baton Rouge that has proudly come together to host this pageant and the viewers who will be watching and celebrating its 54th year on television. The MISS USA Pageant is a perfect fit on REELZ where movies, entertainment and celebrity come together every day of the year.”
About REELZCHANNEL—Hollywood Happens Here™
REELZ is a leading independent cable and satellite general entertainment network, connecting its viewers across America with the magic, wonder and excitement of Hollywood wherever it happens. The network is home to cutting-edge factual entertainment and reality programs, compelling television events, miniseries, movies and series featuring big stories and big stars. Programming ranges from the critically acclaimed and award-winning The Kennedys to Hollywood Hillbillies, Beverly Hills Pawn, Branson Taxi, Autopsy: The Last Hours Of…, Celebrity Legacies, OK! TV, Hollywood Scandals, the upcoming series Master P’s Family Empire and miniseries The Kennedys: After Camelot and much more that connects directly to the world of entertainment. REELZ also showcases top movie and entertainment expert Leonard Maltin who provides specific on-air recommendations for movies viewers can watch at home.
REELZ reaches 70 million homes on DIRECTV channel 238, DISH Network channel 299, Verizon FiOS TV channel 233, Time Warner Cable channel 128, AT&T U-verse channels 799/1799HD and cable systems nationwide. Find REELZ in your area by visiting www.reelz.com. REELZ is a High-Definition network and if it is not available, or not in HD, on your cable or telco provider, we encourage viewers to call them and ask for it. Cox Cable does not carry REELZ. Owned by Hubbard Media Group, REELZ is headquartered in Albuquerque, NM with national ad sales based in New York City with offices in Boston and Chicago. As one of the last truly independent television networks remaining in today’s media landscape REELZ has created the Independence Happens Here™ website to help keep free thought and innovation alive by highlighting the importance of independent businesses. The website can be found at http://IndependenceHappensHere.com.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
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