Miss America pageant coming back to ABC

LAS VEGAS - May 24, 2010

Pageant officials told The Associated Press that the beauty competition has signed a three-year deal with ABC, with plans to air next year's pageant live on Jan. 15.

ABC was Miss America's former network home, but the pageant was dropped after record-low ratings in 2004.

Miss America Organization Chairman Sam Haskell declined to discuss specific numbers but says the deal is better than others the pageant has had the past five years.

Miss America found itself without a TV deal in March after cable network TLC declined to pick up a three-year option.

This year's pageant - won by Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron - was No. 1 on cable the night it aired, excluding movies.

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