'I Want My 'Project Runway'!'

Project Runway's Network Drama

The hit reality show, created by former Miramax Films head Harvey Weinstein, has aired on Bravo since 2004. But, in April, Weinstein announced that he had sold the show to Lifetime, a rival network that has been trying to make over its image as a station best known -- as one "Project Runway" fan derisively wrote -- for airing "Golden Girls" reruns. Lifetime agreed to pay a reported $150 million for a five-year deal for "Runway" and spin-off shows.

The same day the deal was announced, NBC sued Weinstein.

In court filings, NBC says it had the right to match any offers from other networks for subsequent seasons of the show, known as a right of first refusal. The network also claims Weinstein engaged in "sham negotiations," locking up the deal with Lifetime in February 2008 and hiding it for months while pretending to negotiate a new deal with NBC.

The Weinstein Co. denied the allegations and countersued Bravo, accusing it of "purposefully revealing spoilers" of "Runway" and stealing the show's format for other reality shows such as "Top Chef."

Then, Lifetime sued both NBC and Weinstein. Lifetime is partly owned by the Walt Disney Co., the parent company of ABC News.

Nearly a year later, there's no sign that the lawsuits, already marred by several delays, will be resolved any time soon, people close to the negotiations say. A court hearing is scheduled for March 19.

The dispute is the product of long-simmering tension between Weinstein and Bravo. According to a September court decision, Weinstein had a "particular dislike" for Bravo president Lauren Zalaznick, whom he claimed in an affidavit "proved difficult to work with" and interfered with the creative development of the show and efforts to get product integration advertising.

"Harvey felt that NBC and Bravo were essentially trying to run him dry," said a person familiar with the case. "He felt they were unwilling to commit the resources to doing the kind of first-class show that he wanted to do. And, they were copying his shows -- and they were doing it without Harvey."

Lawyers for Weinstein, NBC and Lifetime declined to comment.