MUMBAI: English GEC Zee Caf? will showcase Miss Universe 2012 live, as 88 women battle it out at Las Vegas in the US.

Zee Caf? will showcase Miss Universe 2012 on 20 December at 6.30 am and a repeat telecast at 9 pm. Miss Universe will additionally be simulcast on Zee Studio and Zee Trendz.

Miss India Universe Shilpa Singh will compete in the event.

The 1952 local "bathing beauty" competition, spearheaded by Catalina Swimwear in Long Beach, transformed into an international annual tradition with countless young women around the world vying to become a part of the Miss Universe history.

The Miss Universe Organisation owns and manages the annual Miss Universe Finals, a competition that has grown into one of the World?s biggest.

This year, apart from the Miss Universe 2012 award, the challenge events includes the following titles: National costume round, Sports, Swimsuit Round, Evening gown round

These participating women are savvy, goal-oriented and aware. Those who become part of the Miss Universe display those characteristics in their everyday lives, both as individuals, who compete with hope of advancing their careers, personal and humanitarian goals, and as women who seek to improve the lives of others. The Indian winners in the past have been Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutta.

Zee Network business head niche channels Anurag Bedi said, "After the immense response received from last year, Zee Caf? is proud to be associated with Miss Universe this year as well. Apart from showcasing the latest and the best of English shows, Zee Caf? gets to you live and exclusive telecasts of the biggest world events. For Miss Universe this year, we have Amway on board as the presenting sponsor and Microsoft, Tata Nano, Hitachi, and Quikr.com as the associate sponsors to celebrate this much awaited event."