64th Annual Miss Universe Pageant to air live from Las Vegas Dec. 20 on FOX

IMG and The Miss Universe Organization today announced FOX has picked up The 64th Annual Miss Universe Pageant. The three-hour annual event will air live from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas Sunday, Dec. 20 (7-10 p.m.), on FOX. As part of IMG's agreement with FOX to broadcast Miss Universe, the network will also have domestic rights to air Miss USA.

"Miss Universe is a unique, global media property and this partnership with FOX marks a new era for The Miss Universe Organization as a whole," said Michael Antinoro, SVP of original content, IMG. "As the broadcast leader in innovative and groundbreaking live events, FOX is the perfect partner as we look to implement new and exciting changes to this show and the franchise."

"The Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants are iconic television events loved by generations of viewers around the world," said David Madden, president, entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Co. "We are very excited to partner with IMG and The Miss Universe Organization to infuse a fresh new energy into these perennial broadcast favorites."

The City of Las Vegas and Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino have hosted several Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants over the years.

"Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino has been a fantastic partner to The Miss Universe Organization, and it will be a great home for The 64th Annual Miss Universe Pageant," said Paula M. Shugart, president of The Miss Universe Organization. "The resort's AXIS Theater is a premier entertainment venue, and the ideal site for the pageant's inaugural broadcast on a new network."

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.

The Miss USA Pageant, which will air in 2016 on FOX, features contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The winner of MISS USA goes on to compete for the title of Miss Universe.