The CW Network has pulled the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants from its schedule one week before their scheduled air dates.
The Miss Teen USA competition was scheduled to air on August 26, followed by the Miss USA pageant on August 27, before the network cancelled both broadcasts.
"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," The CW said in an August 21 statement to E! News. "We wish the organization and all of this year’s contestants well in the competition."
The broadcast network gave no specific reason for cancelling the telecasts. However, a statement posted to the official Miss USA Instagram Story on August 20 cited 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," the Miss USA Organization said in a statement reported by Variety. "Unfortunately, we were unable to reach mutually agreeable terms for this year’s event."
The organization added that it appreciated its ongoing partnership despite the cancellation. "While The CW will not be carrying a live broadcast of Miss USA this year, we are grateful for our relationship with the network and remain open to opportunities to work together in the future," the statement said.
Streaming move to Queen Beauty Network
This decision marks the second consecutive year that The CW has opted not to broadcast the Miss USA pageant. Last year, the Miss USA 2025 pageant, where Audrey Eckert of Nebraska was crowned winner, aired exclusively on Queen Beauty Network, a subscription streaming platform focused on beauty, fashion, and pageants.
Queen Beauty Network will stream both the 2026 Miss USA and 2026 Miss Teen USA competitions live in place of The CW. "The Queen Beauty Network is proud to step in and support Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, bringing the glamour, excitement, and unforgettable moments of the historic celebration live to fans everywhere," the platform stated in an August 21 Instagram post. "Just like last year, QBN is ready to serve the pageant community and bring you closer to every moment."
A representative for the Miss USA Organization reiterated on August 21 that both pageants will stream on QBN. "We are so excited for this partnership," the spokesperson added.
Competition rules and pageant traditions
The schedule change comes alongside interest in the rules governing major American pageants, including Miss America, which originally launched as a boardwalk swimsuit competition in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1921. For the 2026 Miss America event, contestants must be between 18 and 28 years old, specifically no younger than 18 on September 1, 2026, when preliminary events start, and no older than 28 on September 30, 2026.
Contestants who are exactly 18 years old when competing enter what organizers call a "pivot year," during which they decide whether to enter the Teen or Miss division. Teen division contestants must be no younger than 14 on September 1, 2026, and no older than 18 on September 30. Once teens select a division, they cannot switch until the next application cycle.
Marital and parental status rules for Miss America require that hopefuls cannot be married at the time of competition, though divorced individuals are eligible. Contestants must also certify that they are not pregnant and have no children.
State qualifications and scoring breakdown
State titleholders must also meet strict residency rules to compete for state titles. Delegates must provide proof of living in the state for at least 120 consecutive days before taking the stage, working in the state for a minimum of 40 hours per week for at least 120 days, or being enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university in the state.
The talent portion of Miss America requires a 90-second performance accounting for 20 percent of the overall score in each round. Common acts include singing, dance, and instrumental music, though contestants have featured unique performances. Alayna Westcom, Miss Vermont 2015, presented a chemistry lesson, while 2015 winner Kira Kazantsev performed a routine with cups in the style of the movie Pitch Perfect. The swimsuit competition, previously a core segment, was removed in 2018.
Judges determine remaining scores across four additional categories in both preliminary and final rounds. The private interview counts for 30 percent of the total score. Fitness counts for 20 percent, evening wear counts for 20 percent based on confidence and composure, and the final 10 percent comes from the stage question segment.
