The Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants will no longer air on The CW network as originally planned. The decision comes just seven days before the competitions were scheduled to broadcast live, leaving viewers and contestants surprised by the sudden change.
The pageants were set to return to broadcast television for the first time since 2025. Instead, both events will now stream online through the Queen Beauty Network (QBN).
Why The CW Decided to Drop the Pageants
The Miss USA Organization announced the news through an Instagram Stories post on August 20, 2026. The organization stated that a “contractual issue” with production arrangements caused the breakdown.
“Two weeks ago, we identified a contractual issue with our production arrangements that could not be resolved within the necessary time frame. Since then, our team has worked diligently to explore options that would allow us to continue with a live broadcast on The CW. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach mutually agreeable terms for this year’s event.”
The Miss USA organization also mentioned that they remain grateful for their relationship with The CW and are open to working together in the future.
The CW network released its own statement confirming the decision:
“After careful consideration and conversations with the Miss USA Organization, The CW Network has decided to forego next week’s broadcasts of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants. We wish the organization and all of this year’s contestants well in the competition.”
Neither side has shared specific details about what caused the contractual disagreement.
Where to Watch the 2026 Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Pageants
The pageants will now stream on the Queen Beauty Network (QBN) instead of airing on The CW. This is the same platform that carried the events in 2025.
Viewers can watch the competitions through the QBN mobile app, website, Apple TV, and other streaming platforms. The streaming service offers a 30-day free trial for new users. After the trial, a subscription costs $7.99 per month or $72.99 per year.
The schedule for the events remains unchanged:
- Miss Teen USA final: August 26, 2026
- Miss USA final: August 27, 2026
The preliminary competitions will be available from August 24 through August 27.
A History of Broadcast Changes for the Pageants
The CW first began airing Miss USA in 2023, marking the pageant’s return to broadcast television since 2019. In April 2024, the network announced a three-year deal to air both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.
However, the network did not air the pageants in 2025. Instead, the events streamed on the Queen Beauty Network, marking the first time since 1965 that Miss USA had not been shown on broadcast television.
In June 2026, Miss USA and The CW announced a new deal to air the competitions. That agreement has now fallen apart, sending the pageants back to streaming.
Recent Controversies Surrounding the Miss USA Organization
The pageants have faced multiple challenges in recent years, including leadership changes and title resignations.
In 2024, Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava both gave up their crowns. This was the first time in the pageant’s 70-year history that both titleholders resigned. The contestants alleged bullying and mistreatment involving the organization’s then-CEO, Laylah Rose. Rose denied the allegations.
The organization also went through a leadership change in 2025. Thom Brodeur, founder of Brodeur Beauty, acquired the exclusive rights to Miss USA and Miss Teen USA under a ten-year deal. The Miss Universe Organization, which licenses Miss USA, officially named Brodeur as the new operator.
More recently, Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse was stripped of her title earlier in 2026. The organization cited conduct violations, but Boltinhouse disputed the decision and claimed her conservative views played a role. She has since pursued legal action.
Brodeur addressed the situation at the time, stating:
“The Miss USA Organization does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia nor language that strips any person of their dignity — whoever they are.”
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The 75th Anniversary Competition Continues as Planned
Despite the broadcast setback, the competitions themselves are going ahead as scheduled. The 2026 Miss USA pageant marks the 75th anniversary of the competition. The event is taking place in Miami, Florida.
Contestants will still compete for their respective crowns. However, viewers who expected to watch the finals on The CW will now need to access the Queen Beauty Network instead.
This marks the second consecutive year that Miss USA and Miss Teen USA will not appear on traditional broadcast television. The uncertainty surrounding the pageants’ television future continues as the organization works through ongoing changes.
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