In case you haven't heard cable network Lifetime has picked up the rights to air Project Runway starting this fall and a battle has begun not just over this show but possibly with others in the Bravo pantheon of hip competition shows. NBC, which owns Bravo, apparently is suing in order to keep Project Runway which they feel was snatched away illegally.

 Here's the rundown on the "Runway"feud. Bravo has a five season contract with the producers of the show (Magical Elves, Inc) giving them option to match or better another deal if it were to come along. Legally speaking it looks like the contract was breached because according to Bravo they weren't given the chance to beat Lifetime's offer. At the same time casting is going on right now for the fifth season of the show and if Lifetime gets its way it would start work on the sixth season. So it's possible that two seasons of Project Runway could be airing against each other. Here's another twist: Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn have contracts with the show so wherever it goes, they go. Nina Garcia and Michael Kors have no such deal----at this time.

 The producers of Project Runway also are behind Bravo's Top Chef and Top Design (which is casting now)and the new show Step It Up and Dance so what this all means for these shows is also up for discussion.

  What we've discovered through all this latest news is that while the formats and overall looks of the various Bravo reality/competition shows are very similar they are actually produced by several different companies. For example Reveille produces Shear Genius, the upcoming spin-off Tabatha's Salon Takeover, and Blow Out as well as non-Bravo shows like Ugly Betty, The Office, Biggest Loser and others.

  So away from the Bravo "feel" how will Project Runway look in its new home at Lifetime? Since Lifetime is geared towards a female audience will the producers follow suit and gear it to the network's core audience?  And what will happen to the show's gay appeal and sensibility? Will there be a battle for the heart and soul of Project Runway?

 Only time will tell.