• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, October 2, 2008

 

As expected, the Weinstein Co. has appealed a judge's ruling that at least temporarily blocks the planned shift of "Project Runway" to Lifetime. Weinstein attorneys did not wait long. The judge's decision came Friday afternoon -- and it filed its appeal notice on Monday.

Judge Richard B. Lowe issued an injunction Friday in New York State Supreme Court that prevents Weinstein Co., which produces "Runway," from moving forward on its agreement to take the Bravo series to Lifetime.

Lifetime would begin airing it in January. The injunction also prevents Lifetime from marketing the show as coming to the network.

NBC Universal, which owns Bravo, sought and received the injunction, claiming it has a right of first refusal, which would allow it to match Lifetime's offer and keep the show.

The appeal is for the injunction. There is a separate case remaining before the judge in which NBCU is suing Weinstein.

In his decision Friday, the judge expressed some urgency that the dispute be settled, since keeping the show off the air for a lengthy period could hurt its value.

"Runway" has been off the air for up to 13 months between seasons three and four. But the judge wrote that the "court must ensure that it is not off the air for an excessive period of time."

Further, he wrote that "this matter will be put on a schedule such that the issues will be resolved through expedited proceedings."