Key Takeaways
- The Miss USA and Miss Teen USA finals will not be broadcast on The CW next week as originally scheduled.
- The pageant will instead stream on the Queen Beauty Network, continuing a shift away from traditional television.
- This decision follows a tumultuous period for the Miss USA Organization, including leadership changes and public controversies.
- The network cites “careful consideration” and a desire to support the contestants, while reaffirming its commitment to the 75‑year legacy of Miss USA.
- The finals are set for August 26‑27 at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, with streaming availability slated for the same dates.
Network Decision
The CW confirmed via a spokesperson to Business Insider that it will not air the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA finals next week, reversing the arrangement announced earlier in the year. The statement emphasized that after “careful consideration and conversations with the Miss USA Organization,” the network has chosen to forego the broadcasts. While expressing good wishes for the competition and its participants, the network did not disclose further details about the reasons behind the reversal, leaving the move open to interpretation among industry observers.
Historical Context
The decision marks a significant departure from recent traditions. The Miss USA pageant had not been televised on The CW since the 2024 competition, making 2024 the first year since 1965 that the event missed a network broadcast. Previously, in June 2024, Miss USA CEO Thom Brodeur announced a new three‑year deal with The CW, aiming to restore the pageant to cable television after a series of leadership upheavals and scandals that began in 2020. The partnership was presented as a “defining moment” celebrating 75 years of Miss USA and was intended to showcase the 102 contestants across the network’s nationwide audience.
Programming Changes
At the time of the deal announcement, Brodeur highlighted that “Bringing Miss USA and Miss Teen USA back to The CW for both competitions is a defining moment as we celebrate 75 years of Miss USA.” He argued that The CW’s reach would provide an ideal platform for the contestants. However, the subsequent reversal indicates that the network either renegotiated terms or encountered internal pressures that led to the cancellation of the broadcast. The exact new timing for the finals remains tied to streaming platforms rather than over‑the‑air television.
Controversies and Leadership
The pageant’s recent history has been marked by rapid turnover at the top. Laylah Rose, who had secured the 2024 three‑year agreement, was replaced by Thom Brodeur in September 2025 after a series of public disputes. Earlier, Miss USA 2023 titleholder Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA 2023 titleholder UmaSofia Srivastava relinquished their crowns— the first such occurrence in the competition’s over‑70‑year history— citing alleged bullying by Rose, claims which she denied. These controversies have contributed to a challenging environment for the organization and have likely influenced the network’s decision to step back from the broadcast.
Future Plans and Streaming
While The CW will not air the finals on traditional television, the pageant will still be accessible to viewers via the Queen Beauty Network, a digital platform that hosted the 2025 stream. This shift reflects a broader industry trend where major events move from linear TV to streaming services, offering on‑demand access and broader digital engagement. The finals are scheduled for August 26 and 27 at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, and the streaming broadcast will likely mirror the previous year’s format, delivering the ceremony directly to audiences through online channels.
Industry Implications
The withdrawal of The CW from broadcasting Miss USA and Miss Teen USA raises questions about the future of live beauty‑pageant television in the United States. As advertisers and networks increasingly prioritize digital viewership metrics, traditional cable slots for such events may become less secure. Moreover, the move could influence how other pageants negotiate distribution deals, possibly prompting more reliance on streaming partnerships or hybrid models that combine limited linear airings with robust digital promotion. Stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether The CW or other networks reconsider their strategies in the coming years.
Conclusion
In summary, The CW’s decision to scrap the upcoming Miss USA and Miss Teen USA broadcasts underscores a pivotal moment for the pageant’s distribution strategy. Amid a backdrop of leadership changes, public controversies, and a broader shift toward streaming, the pageant will continue its legacy online rather than on conventional television. The upcoming finals at the Adrienne Arsht Center will still provide a platform for the competitors, but the manner in which audiences engage with the event has irrevocably evolved. The coming months will reveal how this transition impacts both the pageant’s brand perception and the network’s approach to future live entertainment ventures.