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.
