America's Next Top Model
Revived on VH1 after initial cancellation on The CW.
America's Next Top Model (often called ANTM or Top Model) was a reality competition series where aspiring models competed for the title and a launch into the industry. Tyra Banks created the show and served as executive producer, with Ken Mok and Kenya Barris developing it. The series first aired in May 2003, originally running twice a year until 2012, then once a year from 2013 to 2018.
The first six cycles aired on UPN. After UPN merged with The WB to form The CW in 2006, the next sixteen cycles moved to that network, where the show ran until its first cancellation in October 2015. It was revived in 2016 on VH1, where it continued until its final cancellation in 2018. The show was one of UPN's highest-rated programs and was the top-rated show on The CW from 2007 to 2010. During the 2011–12 season, advertisers paid $61,315 for a 30-second commercial, the highest rate of any series on The CW. Banks hosted the first 22 cycles and cycle 24; Rita Ora hosted cycle 23. The judging panel typically included two or three additional judges, along with a creative director and a runway coach.
Most cycles featured 10 to 15 female contestants who had never appeared on the show before. Cycle 17 was an all-stars season made up entirely of past contestants. Cycle 18 included seven new contestants and seven former participants from Britain's Next Top Model. Cycles 20 through 22 included male contestants, with two male winners. As of April 2018, 24 people had won the competition. Prizes usually included a magazine feature and a modeling agency contract. The show launched the international Top Model franchise, with over fifty versions produced worldwide.
On January 24, 2006, it was announced that Top Model would join the new CW network when cycle 7 began in September, airing on Wednesdays. It was the first regular program to air on the network. Before the merger, UPN had committed to renewing the show through cycle 9 on January 20, 2006, with casting that summer. America's Next Top Model was the only original UPN show left on the new network.
On July 21, 2006, the show's writers went on strike while working on cycle 7. They sought representation through the Writers Guild of America, West, to secure regulated wages, portable health insurance, and pension benefits similar to those for scripted shows.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Reality television
- Creator
- Tyra Banks
- Developer
- Ken Mok / Kenya Barris
- Presenter
- Tyra Banks / Rita Ora
- Theme Music Composer
- David Thomas / Les Pierce
- Open Theme
- "You Wanna Be on Top" by Tyra Banks (cycles 1–16 and 19–22)
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Num Seasons
- 24
- Num Episodes
- 315
- List Episodes
- List of America's Next Top Model episodes
- Producer
- Ken Mok / Anthony Dominici
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The first six cycles aired on UPN, before UPN merged with The WB to create The CW in 2006. The following sixteen cycles aired on The CW until the series was first cancelled in October 2015. The series was revived in 2016 and aired on VH1 up until the show's final cancellation in 2018. The first 22 cycles and cycle 24 were presented by Tyra Banks, while cycle 23 was presented by Rita Ora. Cycles 1–16, 19, and 23–24 each consisted of 10–15 female contestants with no previous participation. Cycle 17's cast consisted entirely of previous participants, while cycle 18 had seven new contestants and seven former Britain's Next Top Model participants. Cycles 20–22 featured male contestants, including two male winners. As of April 2018, 24 people have won the competition. The series is the originator of the international Top Model franchise, with over fifty versions produced internationally.
Reader's Guide
America's Next Top Model was the only show left on The CW that was originally from UPN. In July 2006, the writers went on strike while working on cycle 7, seeking representation through the Writers Guild of America, West, for regulated wages, portable health insurance, and pension benefits. The strike was the focus of a rally coinciding with the premiere of the new network on September 20, 2006. To celebrate its tenth cycle, a special installment called America's Next Top Model: Exposed aired in two parts in February 2008, reviewing memorable moments from cycles 1 to 9. The show is syndicated to NBCUniversal's cable division, with Oxygen and Style Network carrying the series, and has also aired on Bravo, MTV, VH1, and E!. The series spawned a clothing and accessories line sold at Walmart, and a video game loosely based on the series was released for Nintendo DS and Wii in June 2010.
Did You Know?
- The series was the highest-rated show on The CW from 2007 to 2010.
- Advertisers paid $61,315 per 30-second slot during the 2011–12 television season, the highest of any series on The CW.
- Cycle 23 was the only cycle presented by Rita Ora instead of Tyra Banks.
- The writers of cycle 7 went on strike in July 2006 seeking Writers Guild representation.
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