Virgin Media’s Challenge Inks U.K. Deal for Miss World Competition

LONDON, November 1: Virgin Media Television’s
light-entertainment channel Challenge has inked a deal with Zeal Entertainment,
on behalf of the Miss World Organization, for the exclusive U.K. broadcast
rights to the live Miss World 2007 competition final in December.

This marks the second consecutive year that Challenge will
have aired the live two-hour Miss World final, which will be held on December 1
this year in Sanya, located in China’s Hainan Province. With global viewing
figures of nearly two billion, Miss World is the largest live annual TV event,
broadcast to nearly 200 countries. The Miss World 2006 final on Challenge
attracted a third more 16- to 34-year-olds than the channel average and was up
more than 141 percent on the slot average.

During the 57th edition of Miss World this year, contestants
from more than 100 countries will embark on a four-week tour of China, which
will include visits to the Olympic city of Beijing and the Great Wall of China.
Charity fundraising will be a key part of the tour under the “Beauty with a
Purpose” banner, which has seen Miss World raise over £250 million for good
causes.

Celia Taylor, the director of programs for Virgin 1, Bravo,
Bravo 2, Trouble and Challenge, said: “Miss World is a total joy. It’s a
fantastic enduring brand that adds real glitz and glamour to Challenge’s winter
schedule and is an indulgent treat for everyone.”

—By Irene Lew