America's Next Top Model is returning to TV only a few months after its cancellation by The CW.
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The new season of Top Model will be filmed in New York City and revamped with a new host and judging panel that will be revealed at a later date.
Ken Mok will continue to executive produce the modeling competition alongside Banks, who created the show and served as host for all previous 22 editions. A premiere date for the upcoming edition has yet to be announced.
"This is a homecoming for the series, as VH1 helped catapult the show to cultural icon status as the first cable network to air the show after it launched," VH1 general manager Chris McCarthy, promising to "reinvent this franchise for a whole new generation."
"We could not be more excited to bring back and breathe new life into one of the greatest unscripted franchises on television," added Scott Koondel, an executive for CBS Television Distribution, Top Model's distribution company.
"VH1 is the perfect partner for this new endeavor and we hope this is the beginning of a long relationship."
Banks also commented on the franchise's comeback, which will run over the course of 14 new episodes.
"After creating an incredible, global brand, I am beyond excited to have the show reborn," Banks said in a statement.
"I will continue as executive producer, but must turn my attention to new business endeavors, so I want to find a new host. I'm pumped to identify that person and bring back the show. Top Model fans, you demanded that the show come back, and VH1 answered the call. Get ready for a fierce-a-fied rebirth!"
The CW had announced Top Model's cancellation in October, however reports began surfacing only weeks later that there was a possibility Top Model might return for a 23rd season despite The CW's decision.
Top Model's 22nd edition, which was supposed to be its last, aired its finale December 4 on The CW, but a subsequent season was reportedly being pitched to cable and streaming outlets due to its success with off-network re-runs on cable channels like VH1, Bravo and Oxygen as well as streaming services Netflix, Hulu and Amazon. Mok and Banks reportedly led the effort to keep Top Model alive.
America's Next Top Model debuted in May 2003 on UPN and became the first series to air on The CW in September 2006. Its format later launched into 30-plus countries and has been The CW's most successful reality series and its longest-running series thus far.
Top Model's international edition hosts include Project Runway host Heidi Klum, who has hosted all eleven seasons of Top Model's German edition since its premiere in 2006.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
