TNA Re-Ups With Spike

Pro wrestling outfit TNA Entertainment has pinned down a multi-year extension with Spike Tv that could include additional television projects beyond its weekly Impact Wrestling series, according to Dixie Carter, TNA Entertainment president.

Spike, which debuted TNA programming in 2005, will remain the exclusive home for TNA programming - including the wrestling company's Thursday night weekly series Impact Wrestling -- as part of the deal.

Terms of agreement were not disclosed.

TNA's Impact Wrestling has delivered strong viewership ratings for Spike over the past seven years. The series, which features such wrestlers as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle, Sting, James Storm and Rob Van Dam, is averaging 1.7 million viewers thus far in 2012, ranking it among the male-targeted network's most watched series. 

Carter told Multichannel News that the Spike extension will further help build the 10-year old TNA through additional branding opportunities, although she would not reveal specifics. Carter didn't rule out the possibility of another TNA-based show on Spike or additional TNA-branded TV projects.

"We look forward to working with Spike to help us build and extend the TNA brand," Carter said.

The deal comes on the heels of TNA's announcement that it will distribute a June pay-per-view event marking the company's 10th anniversary. The event, Slammiversary 2012, will air June 10 and will originate from the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex arena, the company said. 

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.