'America's Next Top Model' to end long run
America's Next Top Model, a reality-TV institution, will end its run when the CW show's 22nd season concludes in December.
The long-running reality competition, hosted by executive producer Tyra Banks, started in 2003 on UPN and was the first series to premiere on the new CW network on Sept. 20, 2006. The show's finale, which will name a top model for the 22nd season, is scheduled for Dec. 4 (9 p.m. ET/PT).
Banks tweeted her thoughts about concluding the show on Wednesday.
TYRA MAIL! Thinking #ANTM22 should be our last cycle. I truly believe it's time. May your pics be forever fierce. Keep on Smizing! Tyra— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) October 14, 2015
CW president Mark Pedowitz issued a statement thanking Banks and her fellow executive producer, Ken Mok, and acknowledging the show's success.
"America's Next Top Model was a successful franchise for two networks, first at UPN and then The CW, and it became not just a ratings hit, but a global pop culture phenomenon," Pedowitz said. "I want to thank Tyra and Ken for all their years of success in establishing a show that was not just popular in the U.S., but all across the world."
CW is considering the possibility of broadcasting a retrospective special at some point in 2016.
Top Model (Friday, 9 p.m. ET/PT) averaged 1 million viewers for last week's episode.