The Miss America Organization Celebrates Its 90th Anniversary & Returns to the ABC Network!

LINWOOD, N.J., May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The Miss America Organization (MAO) is proud to announce it has reached a multi-year deal with the ABC Television Network to return as their network television partner for the 2011 Miss America Pageant that will be presented on January 15, 2011! The news was announced today by Sam Haskell, III, Board Chairman for the Miss America Organization and MAO President & CEO, Art McMaster.  ABC aired the Miss America Pageant previously in 2004 and will once again retain the exclusive telecast rights through 2013.  

"After thorough discussions and negotiations, we are confident that Miss America has reunited with the perfect network partner, ABC, which shares many of our same ideals and tradition," said Haskell. "Miss America's move back to network television is perfect timing as we celebrate our special 90th anniversary and look ahead to reach new heights and create a new path for the future of Miss America. Our brand is so rich in both philanthropy and history, and this new multi-year partnership will not only preserve this great institution, but it will also mark a new milestone in television with our friends at ABC."

"We're thrilled to have the Miss America pageant back on ABC and for the opportunity to be a part of this historic tradition," said Vicki Dummer and John Saade, Senior Vice Presidents, Alternative Series, Specials and Late-Night, ABC Entertainment Group. "We look forward to working with the Miss America Organization for years to come."

Art McMaster, President and CEO for Miss America Organization stated, "MAO will maintain and oversee the creative direction of the pageant with the addition of the award winning production company, Tall Pony Productions with Anthony Eaton and Lauren Harris as the Executive Producers."  McMaster added, "Miss America is one of this country's great enduring institutions, and creatively we are introducing new ways to honor the pageant's rich tradition, while also producing a spectacular show that will offer true entertainment appeal to ABC's viewers." 

Last year, the Miss America pageant telecast experienced new record growth, with its highest-ever ratings on cable television, and is now perfectly positioned to surpass that record with ABC on network television. 

MAO proudly acknowledges Mark Pedowitz of Pinestreet Entertainment, John Ferriter of Octagon Entertainment, and Billy Goldberg and Kevin Kroos of The Buckeye Group for their efforts on this television partnership.  Tall Pony Productions and the Miss America Organization are represented by Octagon Entertainment.

About the Miss America Organization

The Miss America Pageant and the scholarship program are among the most enduring endeavors in modern American history.  Celebrating 90 years of remarkable achievements when it first began with its humble beginnings as a "bathing beauty'" contest in the 1920s, the Miss America Organization today is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women.  Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance, helping young women all across the country to reach their dreams and goals.  For more information, go to www.missamerica.org.

SOURCE Miss America Organization