Spike (UK)
| Spike UK | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | 15 April 2015 |
| Owned by | Channel 5 Broadcasting Ltd (Viacom International Media Networks Europe) |
| Picture format | 576i (16:9 SDTV) |
| Audience share | 0.29% (September 2015, BARB) |
| Slogan | Live it like Spike |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Broadcast area | United Kingdom |
| Sister channel(s) | |
| Website | www |
|
Availability
|
|
| Terrestrial | |
| Freeview | Channel 31 |
| Satellite | |
| Freesat | Channel 141 |
| Sky (UK only) | Channel 160 |
| Astra 28.2°E | 10964 H 22000 5/6 |
| Cable | |
| Virgin Media | Channel 154 |
| Streaming media | |
| TVPlayer | Watch live (UK only) |
Spike UK is a British digital television channel owned by Viacom International Media Networks Europe. Launching on 15 April 2015 on Freeview, it is a localised version of the American channel of the same name, and primarily airs entertainment programming geared towards a male audience, including import dramas, programming from its U.S. counterpart, and mixed martial arts.
Following Viacom's acquisition of Channel 5, it was reported that a local version of the male skewing U.S. channel Spike would be launching in the United Kingdom. These reports were confirmed in late 2014, with the channel proposed to replace Viva on Freeview. The channel is operated under the auspices of Channel 5's programming director Ben Frow; of Spike's lineup, he described the service as a "driven, high-energy channel offering a point of view and programme mix I think is different from anything else on British TV right now."
Spike launched on 15 April 2015 on Freeview channel 31, displacing 5 USA; although it was originally announced that Spike would replace Viva entirely on Freeview, Viva was instead moved to a different channel and reduced to two hours per-day to conserve bandwidth for Spike, with 5 USA taking on its previous channel allotment. Among its first programs, the premiere of Police Interceptors Unleashed was seen by 137,000 viewers.
The channel's lineup draws primarily from the original programmes produced by its U.S. counterpart, including Bar Rescue, Catch a Contractor, and Lip Sync Battle among others, along with imported U.S. dramas such as Breaking Bad (notably marking the first time the entire series would be broadcast by British television; only the first two seasons were shown by Fox and 5 USA, with the remainder available via Netflix), Sons of Anarchy, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and The Walking Dead. Spike also carries original British productions, such as Police Interceptors Unleashed—a spin-off of the Channel 5 series hosted by footballer Vinnie Jones, and repeats of some of Channel 5's factual programmes.
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