Court stops Heidi Klum's 'Project Runway' over airing rights

London, Sept 30 : German supermodel Heidi Klum's hit reality TV design contest Project Runway has been stopped from moving to America's Lifetime network by a New York judge, because of airing rights.

The airing of the sixth season of the programme was blocked when the judge issued a preliminary ruling against the Weinstein Company, which owns Lifetime.

The show has already started the production of its new season, and Lindsay Lohan has even filmed her stint as a guest judge in the series opener.

The series was expected to air on Lifetime in January next year after the network picked up the show from NBC Universal-owned Bravo.

"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," the Daily Express quoted a statement from NBC as reading.

A spokeswoman for the Weinstein Co has issued a statement, saying that the incident was very unfortunate.

"It's unfortunate that the people hurt most by this ongoing dispute are the loyal fans of Project Runway. In the meantime, Lifetime will pursue all measures to uphold its valid and binding agreement reached with The Weinstein Co," she said.

She revealed that the production of the sixth season would continue while network bosses fought their legal battle, expected to return to court in November.

ANI