Paramount Network
| Spike | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | March 7, 1983 |
| Closed | January 18, 2018 |
| Owned by | Viacom (Viacom Media Networks) |
| Picture format | |
| Slogan |
|
| Language | English |
| Broadcast area |
|
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Formerly called |
|
| Sister channel(s) | |
| Website |
www www |
|
Availability
|
|
| Satellite | |
| DirecTV |
|
| Dish Network | 241 SD/HD |
| Bell TV (Canada) | 628 SD |
| Shaw Direct (Canada) | 584 / 268 |
|
|
|
|
| Cable | |
| Verizon FiOS |
|
| Rogers Cable (Canada) | 279 |
| Seaside Communications (Canada) | 15 |
| Spectrum (St. Louis area) | 71 |
| IPTV | |
| AT&T U-verse |
|
| Optik TV (Canada) |
|
| VMedia (Canada) |
|
| Execulink Telecom (Canada) | 165 SD |
Spike is an is an American cable and satellite channel owned by Viacom. The network broadcasts general entertainment programming, aimed primarily towards a young adult audience.
The channel was originally founded as The Nashville Network (TNN) on March 7, 1983; it initially featured programming catering towards the culture of country music, including variety, music and outdoors programming, as well as motor racing coverage (such as NASCAR events). The network's parent company Gaylord Entertainment Company later purchased Country Music Television, and shifted TNN's music programming to the service, leaving TNN to focus on entertainment and lifestyle programming. By the year 2000 under the ownership of Viacom, TNN began to change its programming direction to cater towards a general audience, changing the channel's initials to The National Network (and later referring to itself as The New TNN), and acquiring more content oriented towards a male demographic, such as professional wrestling and off-network series (such as the Star Trek franchise).
In August 2003, TNN rebranded as Spike TV—which promoted itself as being the "first network for men". The new name was marked by an increase in original programming targeting a young adult audience, with prominent acquisitions such as the CSI franchise, cable rights to the Star Wars franchise, and its continued emphasis on combat sports (including acquisition of cable rights to the mixed martial arts promotion UFC). In 2010, Spike re-branded with a wider demographic reach and an increased focus on reality series as opposed to low-brow content. In 2015, the network re-branded again to emphasize gender-balanced series such as Lip Sync Battle and a return to original scripted programming. On January 18, 2018, Spike will be re-branded as Paramount Network, as part of an effort by Viacom to align all of its properties around a smaller number of flagship brands (in this case, the Paramount Pictures film studio).
...
Wikipedia