Reelz to air Miss Universe after NBC cuts ties with Trump

Cable TV network Reelz has announced it will air the 2015 Miss USA Pageant after NBC dropped the beauty contest broadcast due to owner Donald Trump's recent incendiary remarks about Mexican immigrants.

The program will air live from Baton Rouge on July 12.

Reelz Chief Executive Officer Stan Hubbard told TMZ he personally disagreed with Trump's opinions that Mexico is "not sending the best ... they're sending people that have lots of problems," and that many undocumented immigrants are rapists and drug dealers.

Hubbard further explained he didn't think the pageant participants should be punished because of the backlash against Trump and he added he is looking for a Hispanic host to preside over the event.

Emcees Cheryl Burke and Thomas Roberts quit the broadcast in protest of Trump's comments, which were made as he announced his presidential campaign.

"Trump is not going to profit from what we're paying. What we've agreed to pay doesn't even dent the cost of production," Hubbard emphasized, noting the pageant had no advertisers as of Friday, so Trump will also see no ad revenue.

NBC has severed ties with Trump after airing the Miss USA Pageant and his reality show The Apprentice for years. Trump has also lost an endorsement deal with Macy's over his remarks.