TLC, MISS AMERICA reach multi-year deal

Viewers Rediscover Miss America in January 2008 --

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. and LOS ANGELES, Calif.- The Miss America Organization today announced a multi-year agreement with TLC, its new network home, which will telecast the distinguished “Miss America Pageant” on Saturday, January 26, 2008. The announcement was made jointly today by Chairman of the Board for The Miss America Organization, Sam Haskell, III and TLC president and general manager Angela Shapiro-Mathes. TLC will retain telecast rights through 2010.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Miss America Organization and to broadcast the next generation of the Miss America Pageant,” said Shapiro-Mathes. “In addition, through a new reality series, we’ll get to know 52 of the country’s smartest and most beautiful women as they prepare for a competition they’ve dreamed of their entire lives. The series will culminate in the ultimate pay-off -- the Miss America 2008 Pageant itself. This collaboration is a tremendous opportunity for us to present this scholarship pageant and great American tradition to our viewers with a contemporary production style unique to our channel.”

“After thorough discussions and negotiations, we are confident that Miss America has found the perfect partner to host our Pageant,” said Haskell. "Miss America’s move to TLC will give it the proper promotion and attention it deserves. Our brand is rich in both philanthropy and history, and this new multi-million dollar partnership will not only preserve this wonderful institution, but will, in fact, build the Miss America brand. We are excited about the TLC production efforts that will showcase the brightest women in America and their spirit of community service that continues to empower young women across this great country.”

The TLC reality series will chronicle the preparations and journeys of the contestants as they adjust to a new twist on the pageant format. The series will also give fans of the pageant the chance to learn more about the young women competing and allow them to start choosing their favorites in the pursuit of the crown.

“Miss America” will air live from Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas on Saturday, January 26th. The current Miss America, Lauren Nelson was crowned in Las Vegas in January 2007.

On behalf of the Miss America Organization, the William Morris Agency brokered this deal.