Spike TV Extends TNA ‘Impact’
New Deal Will See Weekly Series Expand To Two Hours
R. Thomas Umstead -- Multichannel News, 9/10/2007 5:34:00 AM
Spike TV has extended its current deal with outfit TNA Entertainment, pinning down content from the pro wrestling outfit for the next two years, according to network officials.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but TNA’s weekly series TNA Impact will expand from one to two hours as part of the pact, beginning Oct. 4. Through Aug. 15 the show averaged a 1.1 household rating and 1.3 million viewers, up 15% and 18% respectively from the same period last year. The series debuted on Spike in October of 2005.
“We are excited to continue and expand our relationship with the world’s fastest growing wrestling organization,” said Spike general manager Kevin Kay in a statement. “Increasing to two hours will help develop the popular stars on the series and increase the visibility of new characters.”
Added TNA president Dixie Carter: “The growth of Impact to two hours is certainly a benchmark that we wanted to achieve and is an indicator of our success as we continue our relationship with Spike TV.”
Meanwhile, Spike continues to negotiate multimillion-dollar renewal of its Ultimate Fighting Championship distribution deal, which would allow the men's network to retain its popular Ultimate Fighter reality series. The show pits would-be and veteran combat-sports fighters together in an elimination-style contest and is the highest-rated original show for Spike.
multimillion-dollar renewal of its Ultimate Fighting Championship distribution deal.
According to parties close to the network, the new deal, which is expected to cost Spike in excess of $100 million, will allow the men's network to retain its popular Ultimate Fighter reality series. The series pits would-be and veteran combat-sports fighters together in an elimination-style contest and is the highest-rated original show for Spike.
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