Emmy Award winner Steve Harvey will host “2015 MISS UNIVERSE®,” it was announced today by The Miss Universe Organization and FOX. The three-hour annual event will air live from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas Sunday, Dec. 20 (7:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

“I am thrilled to be hosting this iconic event for the first time ever,” said Harvey. “It’s exciting to be working with FOX, IMG and The Miss Universe Organization to make this year’s MISS UNIVERSE® telecast a huge success.”

“Steve Harvey is one of the funniest, most likeable personalities on TV today, and he’s the perfect host for this very special evening,” said David Madden, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “The combination of Steve and the talented, impressive women vying for the Miss Universe title is sure to make this a night to remember.”

Steve Harvey is a TV personality, talk show host, actor and comedian who currently hosts two popular TV shows: “The Steve Harvey Show,” which premiered in 2011; and game show “Family Feud,” which he began hosting in 2010; as well as a nationally syndicated radio show, “The Steve Harvey Morning Show,” since its inception in 2000. Harvey began his career doing stand-up comedy in the mid-1980s. His success as a comedian eventually led to a long stint as host of “It's Showtime at the Apollo,” as well as various acting, hosting, writing and producing roles. Harvey’s television and film career includes roles in “Me and The Boys,” “The Steve Harvey Show, “Steve Harvey's Big Time Challenge,” “Love Don't Cost a Thing,” “You Got Served,” “Johnson Family Vacation and “Madea Goes to Jail.” In addition, Harvey is a best-selling author.

The MISS UNIVERSE® telecast is one of the most-watched events in the world, with distribution in approximately 190 countries and territories. Contestants from more than 80 countries will vie to become the next Miss Universe in this special programming event, which will conclude with current Miss Universe Paulina Vega of Colombia crowning her successor.

As previously announced, WME | IMG wholly acquired The Miss Universe Organization in September 2015. Prior to the acquisition, IMG had produced a number of shows for The Miss Universe Organization and will continue to do so with this year’s MISS UNIVERSE® telecast.

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“MISS UNIVERSE” – Page 2

About MISS UNIVERSE

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) uses its global grassroots reach to empower women to be self-confident and strive to be their personal best.  MUO believes that every woman should be “Confidently Beautiful.” The MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® beauty pageants provide an international platform through dedicated partnerships with charities, sponsors and brands around the world. During their reign, the titleholders are given the tools to personally and professionally enrich others by providing humanitarian efforts to affect positive change, all while developing their personal career goals. For more information, and to learn more about Miss Universe’s official cause to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS education and prevention around the world, please visit www.missuniverse.com.  

About IMG

IMG is a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, operating in more than 25 countries. The company represents and manages some of the world’s greatest sports figures and fashion icons; stages hundreds of live events and branded entertainment experiences annually; and is the world’s largest independent producer and distributor of sports media. IMG also specializes in sports training; league development; and marketing, media and licensing for brands, sports organizations and collegiate institutions. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, the world’s leading entertainment agency.

About Fox Broadcasting Company

Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX), a unit of 21st Century Fox, is home to some of the highest-rated and most acclaimed series on television, including EMPIRE, GOTHAM, THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, SCREAM QUEENS, ROSEWOOD, AMERICAN IDOL, NEW GIRL, BROOKLYN NINE-NINE, GRANDFATHERED, THE GRINDER, BOB’S BURGERS, THE SIMPSONS, FAMILY GUY and SLEEPY HOLLOW. FOX airs 15 hours of primetime programming a week, as well as major sports and Sunday morning news. Through the FOX NOW app, FOX viewers can watch full episodes of their favorite FOX shows on a variety of digital platforms, while enjoying enhanced interactive and social capabilities around those shows. Download the FOX NOW app at www.fox.com/foxnow. “Like” FOX on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FOXTV and follow the network on Twitter @FOXTV. For additional information about FOX, please visit www.fox.com.

About Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is the centerpiece of the famed Las Vegas strip, with 2,500 beautifully designed guest rooms and suites showcasing some of the best views in town, and endless options of unparalleled shopping, distinguished dining, popular entertainment and a bustling nightlife. Planet Hollywood encompasses more than 100,000 square-feet of gaming, several lounges, ten restaurants including Gordon Ramsay BurGR, KOI, Strip House, the award-winning Spice Market Buffet, LA’s Pink’s Hot Dogs, Pin-Up Pizza and Ringers Wings, Pizza and Sliders, and the Planet Hollywood Spa by Mandara. The resort is also home to The AXIS Theater and its resident headliners Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez (opening Jan. 2016) and Lionel Richie (opening April 2016). The property is encircled by Miracle Mile Shops with more than 170 specialty stores and restaurants. For more information, visit www.planethollywoodresort.com.  Find Planet Hollywood on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

Find MISS UNIVERSE® on Facebook and YouTube, and follow on Twitter and Instagram. For additional information please visit www.missuniverse.com/.

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