Challenge Secures U.K. Rights to Miss World

LONDON, July 27: The Flextech-owned Challenge network has
picked up the British broadcast rights to the Miss World pageant, taking place
in Poland this September, in an exclusive deal with the Miss World Organisation
and Zeal Television.

The 56th Miss World 2006 competition will
air live as a two-hour special from Poland on September 30. Challenge will also
broadcast the 6×30-minute Vote For Me
series, with viewers given the chance to vote for their favorite contestants
via SMS and online. Challenge will also broadcast two new stand-alone shows: Miss
World Beach Beauty and Miss World
Talent Challenge.

Celia Taylor, channel controller at Challenge, noted, “We
are really thrilled to be the only U.K. channel to be covering this year’s Miss
World as it is a real institution. This acquisition will establish our channel
as one that caters for all the family and enhances our growing entertainment
offering.”