Miss America seems to be having trouble staying in a home lately. The long running beauty pageant, which was dropped by ABC after the 2004 show, has been kicked to the curb by it’s latest network. CMT, the country music channel, is pulling out of it’s relationship with the vapid show. While no reason was given, the annual event suffered massive ratings losses over subsequent years.
According to Reuters, CMT general manager Brian Philips said the network wanted to build more original programming. Miss America doesn’t fit into that mold. The network is foregoing it’s option to air any of the next four pageants starting in 2008. There are currently no solid prospects for a new network, but officials are in negotiations with a number of potential suitors. Don’t be surprised if NBC picks it up in the wake of the newly signed deal between the peacock and Donald Trump.
Honestly, it wouldn’t be a huge loss to television viewers if the show weren’t picked up again. Only 2.4 million viewers tuned in this past January for the latest installment where Lauren Nelson took the crown. But it is an 86-year-old institution, and who doesn’t like watching a gaggle of pretty princesses fight it out in bathing suits passive aggressive style?
