Interesting that they didn't say WHAT multi- the extension is, but at least we can all rest safe in the knowledge that this awful, awful company isn't going anywhere. EDIT: In a one sentence article, Jason Powell reports that it's a two year deal, which means the expiration date has moved out to Fall 2014.
Originally posted by SPIKE PRESS (spike.com)Spike TV / TNA Entertainment Announce Multi-Year Extension
SPIKE TV AND TNA ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCE MULTI-YEAR EXTENSION TO ITS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
The Highly-Rated “Impact Wrestling” Maintains Its Home On Spike TV On Thursday Nights
New York, NY – April 5, 2012 – Spike TV and TNA Entertainment have agreed upon a multi-year extension on their strategic partnership, maintaining Spike TV as the exclusive U.S. television home of the emerging sports-entertainment property.
The deal was announced today jointly by Kevin Kay, Spike TV President and Dixie Carter, TNA Entertainment President. TNA wrestling debuted on Spike TV in July, 2005. Over the last seven years, the ratings for TNA’s “IMPACT Wrestling” have grown from an average of 700,000 viewers at launch to nearly two million today.
“Dixie Carter and her team at TNA have done a phenomenal job in developing stars for an exciting, high-action brand that resonates with Spike’s audience,” said Kay. “We are excited to further our partnership and will continue to build and invigorate the franchise together.”
“We are thrilled that Spike TV will be IMPACT Wrestling’s home for years to come,” said Carter. “The dedication that Kevin Kay and the network have shown us in building our brand is what makes this announcement even more meaningful for me. And look for some exciting things to happen on IMPACT in the near future.”
TNA’s flagship series, “IMPACT Wrestling,” airs weekly on Spike TV and is one of the network’s top-rated series. The show has evolved into must-see-tv on Thursdays with young men and currently ranks among the top shows on cable in its timeslot with Men 18-34.
The roster features many of the biggest names in wrestling including Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle, Booby Roode, Sting, James Storm, Rob Van Dam, and the lovely and lethal Knockouts.
About Spike TV:
Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
About TNA Entertainment:
TNA Entertainment, LLC is a privately held sports entertainment company based in Nashville, Tennessee that specializes in events, products, numerous TV properties, merchandise and music, as well as, the management and promotion of professional wrestlers. In addition, TNA produces monthly PPV events and over 100 live shows a year. The product is the world’s most innovative experience in professional wrestling and is broadcast in over 120 countries. For more information, please visit www.impactwrestling.com.
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Press Contacts:
David Schwarz Spike TV 212-767-8639 david.schwarz@mtvstaff.com
I know people were curious to see after Ultimate Fighter jumped ship to see if Spike would continue with being the "Man" channel. I am wondering how much real money is going to go into this company compared to their last contract. TNA is still one of their highest rated shows, so we shall see. I'd rather they give them time to do a KO or X-Division show.
The Wee Baby Sheamus.
Twitter: @realjoecarfley its a bit more toned down there. A bit.
Originally posted by lotjxI know people were curious to see after Ultimate Fighter jumped ship to see if Spike would continue with being the "Man" channel. I am wondering how much real money is going to go into this company compared to their last contract. TNA is still one of their highest rated shows, so we shall see. I'd rather they give them time to do a KO or X-Division show.
In all honesty, though, being the highest rated show on Spike TV is like being the valedictorian of your college with a 1.5 GPA.
Originally posted by lotjxI know people were curious to see after Ultimate Fighter jumped ship to see if Spike would continue with being the "Man" channel. I am wondering how much real money is going to go into this company compared to their last contract. TNA is still one of their highest rated shows, so we shall see. I'd rather they give them time to do a KO or X-Division show.
In all honesty, though, being the highest rated show on Spike TV is like being the valedictorian of your college with a 1.5 GPA.
True, but you are probably walking away with at least one or two job offers. Which is what TNA got here, a good offer. We harp on TNA for being bad and it is more than it isn't, but they got the ratings to back them up to stay on. I am not sure who these 1 million people are, probably people who miss WCW, but they continue to watch.
(edited by lotjx on 6.4.12 0716) The Wee Baby Sheamus.
Twitter: @realjoecarfley its a bit more toned down there. A bit.
Originally posted by lotjxI know people were curious to see after Ultimate Fighter jumped ship to see if Spike would continue with being the "Man" channel. I am wondering how much real money is going to go into this company compared to their last contract. TNA is still one of their highest rated shows, so we shall see. I'd rather they give them time to do a KO or X-Division show.
In all honesty, though, being the highest rated show on Spike TV is like being the valedictorian of your college with a 1.5 GPA.
I mean yes getting the best rating on the Spike network isn't the most impressive thing in the world, but Impact does get higher rating than a lot of shows on cable pretty much every Hockey game on TV(not that's saying a ton) and once in a while some NBA games. I believe Impact is like in the top 30-40 rated shows on cable with all the cable channels these days and all the shows on cable isn't all together terrible.
Wrestling has been solid filler for television since forever. My grandma used to watch wrestling just because it was on. I'm actually surprised more marginal cable channels don't try and fill some time with it. It can be relatively cheap and somebody is bound to watch it.
One of the things I never understood about TNA is the way they throw money at older names. If they just had a couple like Angle, Hardy and Bully Ray and then filled the rest in with homegrown maybe a few guys from tv that work cheaper would the ratings really be all that different? Then again maybe I am stating the obvious, it's not like attacking the TNA business model has ever been difficult. Wrestling is going to draw and audience just like any reality show will draw and audience.
I wanted to see Hogan Championship Wrestling. Maybe instead they can cut Hogan loose in September and he can go be on Legends House season 2. But Hulk/Eric and TNA seem kind of tethered together now.
Originally posted by BigDaddyLocoWrestling has been solid filler for television since forever. My grandma used to watch wrestling just because it was on. I'm actually surprised more marginal cable channels don't try and fill some time with it. It can be relatively cheap and somebody is bound to watch it.
One of the things I never understood about TNA is the way they throw money at older names. If they just had a couple like Angle, Hardy and Bully Ray and then filled the rest in with homegrown maybe a few guys from tv that work cheaper would the ratings really be all that different? Then again maybe I am stating the obvious, it's not like attacking the TNA business model has ever been difficult. Wrestling is going to draw and audience just like any reality show will draw and audience.
I'd like to see someone try putting on a wrestling show with NO significant names. I bet TNA would see little to no decline in their ratings if they cut Hogan, Sting, and Angle.
Originally posted by JustinShapiroI wanted to see Hogan Championship Wrestling. Maybe instead they can cut Hogan loose in September and he can go be on Legends House season 2. But Hulk/Eric and TNA seem kind of tethered together now.
Yeah, I too am saddened we can't see the Hogan promotion come to fruition. That is just a goldmine of unintended comedy slipping into the ether. Well, if they can at least put something like Ring Ka King together it wouldn't have been bad.
The idea of Legends House is depressing to me, but maybe its cause I hate reality TV... I do want to see Hogan back on WWE TV, cause in Scott Steiner's words I am "a fuckin mark".
Hogan as ring announcer would be illmatic though.
(edited by CHAPLOW on 9.4.12 2056) Please take a minute to follow my graphic design/animation team :] on Facebook www.facebook.com/teamrenegade on Twitter @teamrenegadehq
I dunno, they're both slapsticky Jews (bet you didn't know that!) who make funny faces, do stupid voices and fall down a lot but get surprisingly good reviews for their occasional forays into serious acting.