Product Placement Master Stopped by Zucker

Harvey Weinstein, the king of modern day product placement deals – has been stopped dead in his tracks by Jeff Zucker and the legal team over a NBC Universal.  As reported in every publication possible, NBC Universal has been granted a preliminary injunction that stops Project Runway moving from Bravo to Lifetime next January.

NBC had 1st rights on Project Runway, but do to some interesting issues that came up on both sides, the Weinstein Co. decided to move the show to Lifetime.  And the announcement came as a surprize to NBCU …. ouch!

Of course NBCU sued, claiming breach and demanding to get the show back.

It was only a couple of months ago when according to Gawker, Weinstein was asking $8 million from L’Oreal for three seasons of sponsorship of Project Runway.

Here are the official statements:

NBC Universal:
"NBC Universal is pleased that the court granted our motion for a preliminary injunction against The Weinstein Company. The overwhelming evidence demonstrated that The Weinstein Company violated NBC Universal’s right of first refusal to future cycles of Project Runway. After hearing all of the evidence, the court issued an order prohibiting The Weinstein Company from taking the show or any spin-off to Lifetime."

Harvey’s statement:
"We are glad that the court held that NBC Universal cannot exhibit the program on Bravo and that court required NBC Universal to post a minimum $20 million bond. Obviously we will be appealing and remain committed to our partners."

Editor’s Note:  For the inside scoop – read up the details from our friend Nikki Finke here.