TNN is now Spike TV
By Allison Romano -- Broadcasting & Cable, 4/16/2003 4:00:00 AM
To go with its new positioning as the young men's cable channel, The New TNN is trading in its general-entertainment and country-music past for a more macho-sounding name, Spike TV.
The new moniker, along with fresh branding, will be introduced June 16, just 10 days before Spike TV's new adult animation block debuts.
The network's new president, Albie Hecht, said a name change was crucial.
"Regardless of how we had changed and been successful, the name still maintained the heritage of The Nashville Network," Hecht said. Spike TV, he added, is more contemporary, aggressive and irreverent. "It's all of the qualities we want for the first network for men."
The animation block, which has been in the works for some time, will feature Gary the Rat, starring Kelsey Grammer as a lawyer turned rat; Stripperella, with Pamela Anderson as a stripper/ superhero; and the Ren & Stimpy series, including new episodes.
Spike TV is also getting an infusion of new programming.
To start, Spike TV is partnering with print and online publications for short-form programming.
"The Men's Health Minutes" will highlight men's health and fitness topics from Men's Health magazine.
"CBS Marketwatch" will provide financial and market news three times daily.
Wrapping around Wednesday-night theatrical movies will be "A Guy and His Stuff," based on the Stuff magazine column, featuring latest gadgets and toys for men.
And "Zero to 60" will target men's obsession with cars with the latest automotive news and gadgets.
New series will that debut over the next year include 10 Things Every Guy Should Experience, where Spike TV takes men to the ultimate sporting events like the Super Bowl, the Kentucky Derby and the Indianapolis 500; reality show The Scene, following young entrepreneurs trying to open a new club; Crash Test, another reality show challenging men to crash parties; and 8 Minute Workout Challenge, where five men and five women test out short-term fitness regimens to lose weight and build muscle. That series will be part of a weekend lifestyle block launching early next year.
Spike TV will still have two movie nights, trying to program male-targeted movies, and holdover acquisitions like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.'s WWE Raw and Star Trek.
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