Miss USA, Miss Teen USA pageants dropped by The CW days before air

The Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants have been abruptly removed from The CW network just days before their scheduled broadcasts, marking a sudden shift in the pageants' media strategy. The decision comes after negotiations between The CW and the Miss USA Organization failed to resolve outstanding production issues. Originally planned for Wednesday and Thursday respectively, the events will now be streamed exclusively on the Queen Beauty Network, mirroring last year's format. The Miss USA Organization confirmed in a statement shared via Instagram Stories that it had discovered a contractual problem related to production agreements two weeks prior. Despite efforts to maintain the broadcast on The CW, the organization said it was unable to reach a resolution. The pageants, which are taking place in Miami this year, coincide with the 75th anniversary of the Miss USA competition, according to The Express Tribune. The CW had previously broadcast the pageants in 2023 and 2024, having signed a three-year agreement shortly before the 2024 telecast, as reported by TheWrap. However, that arrangement did not extend into 2026, resulting in the pageants missing traditional television coverage for the second consecutive year. Last year’s events were streamed online through the Queen Beauty Network rather than appearing on the network itself. The recent changes add to a period of instability for the Miss USA Organization. Earlier this year, the Miss Universe Organization, which holds the licensing rights for the Miss USA franchise, transferred operational control to Thom Brodeur, founder of Brodeur Beauty. Brodeur described the transfer as granting him a 10-year exclusive license, replacing previous CEO Laylah Rose. The transition has not been without controversy. Both Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava stepped down from their roles in 2024, citing concerns over the working environment under Rose. Rose denied these claims, asserting that the allegations were unfounded. In addition to leadership changes, the organization faced another challenge earlier this year when it revoked the title of Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse. Brodeur stated that her removal was due to behavior violating the organization’s policies regarding racism, homophobia, and transphobia. The decision came after previously unpublished social media content linked to Boltinhouse resurfaced. Boltinhouse has claimed that her dismissal stemmed from her conservative Christian beliefs and has retained legal representation in preparation for potential litigation against the pageant organizers. The ongoing developments highlight the evolving landscape of the Miss USA Organization, which continues to navigate complex internal and external challenges while maintaining its long-standing tradition. The pageants, despite their current broadcasting adjustments, remain a significant cultural event, drawing attention from participants, viewers, and industry observers alike. The Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants will proceed as scheduled, with their broadcasts moving to the Queen Beauty Network. The specific date and time for the streaming events have yet to be officially announced, though they are expected to align with the originally planned schedule. The outcome of the current situation will likely influence future decisions regarding the pageants’ media partnerships and public perception.