History Creator / SpikeTV

* ''Spike Video Game Awards'' -- An award show dedicated to video gaming. Held from 2003-2013 (with the last show being an event called ''VGX''). It has a SpiritualSuccessor in UsefulNotes/TheGameAwards, which began the following year by Spike VGA producer Geoff Keighley.[[index]]

* ''Jail'', both in reruns, since 2010, and new episodes, from 2015-2017. It was [[NewSeasonNewName re-titled]] as ''Jail: Las Vegas'' for its fourth season, and ''Jail: Big Texas'' for its fifth.

* ''Series/TheShannaraChronicles'' -- Season 2; Originally aired on Creator/{{MTV}}
* ''Spike Video Game Awards'' -- An award show dedicated to video gaming. Held from 2003-2013 (with the last show being a event called ''VGX'').

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/9aa79922801136f7c21e53d0920a9f22.png]]

Viacom bought Creator/{{CBS}} in 2000, and merged TNN and CMT into Creator/{{MTV}} Networks. In order to avoid redundancy, TNN was {{retool}}ed into ''The National Network'', or ''The New TNN'', which tried to go beyond the Southern demographic, and was Viacom's attempt at a "general entertainment" channel- in essence trying to clone the Creator/USANetwork, which they were once a part-owner of via Creator/{{Paramount}}. Its most successful original program was Wrestling/WWERaw (whose move to the network basically killed Wrestling/{{ECW}}, who had a show on the network which had to be canceled). While that still sounds like a part of the original demographic, The National Network also featured reruns of shows such as ''Series/{{Baywatch}}'', ''Series/DiffrentStrokes'', ''Series/MadTV'', ''Series/MiamiVice'', ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' and ''Series/ThreesCompany''.

In 2003, the network title was completely changed to Spike TV, with a focus on RatedMForManly content. They would drop "TV" from their name three years later. ''[[Wrestling/WWERaw Raw]]'' stuck around for a while but went back to its original home on the Creator/USANetwork due to problems between Wrestling/{{WWE}} and Viacom, causing Spike to fill the ProfessionalWrestling void with the [[Wrestling/{{TNA}} competition]]... and ''Series/{{CSI}}'' and ''Franchise/StarTrek'' reruns.

The channel eventually started to be taken more seriously when, in 2005, they won exclusive broadcast rights to all six ''Franchise/StarWars'' movies, which they [[AdoredByTheNetwork proceeded to milk with for years]], running marathons during anniversary celebrations or holiday weekends until 2015. The channel also threw its hat into UsefulNotes/MixedMartialArts by airing ''Series/TheUltimateFighter''. The success of the first season led to a major partnership between Spike and the UFC, with Spike airing many more seasons of the show as well as fight compilations under the title ''UFC Unleashed'' and even live "Fight Night" events.

Beginning in 2011, Spike would begin shifting focus away from male-only programming in favor of unscripted series aimed at a more general audience. They would also expand their combat sport coverage to include promotions like Bellator MMA (which Viacom purchased in 2011 after the UFC moved to Fox) and the Haymon Boxing-organized Premier Boxing Champions.

In 2015, with ''Impact Wrestling'' ending its run on the network, [[ScrewedByTheNetwork thanks to an executive fallout between TNA and Viacom]], the end of the ''Video Game Awards'', and the loss of many syndicated rerun programs, Spike relaunched (yet again) as a general entertainment channel, with a rebrand that's meant to be more inclusive to women. A UK version of the channel was launched later that spring, with local programming from [[Creator/ChannelFive Channel 5]] (which is also owned by Viacom). Among other things, it is the first conventional TV channel in Britain to show ''Series/BreakingBad'', which had previously only been available via Creator/{{Netflix}} or on disc.

The channel eventually started to be taken more seriously when, in 2005, they won exclusive broadcast rights to all six ''Franchise/StarWars'' movies, which they [[AdoredByTheNetwork proceeded to milk with for years]], running marathons during anniversary celebrations or holiday weekends until 2015. The channel also threw its hat into MixedMartialArts by airing ''Series/TheUltimateFighter''. The success of the first season led to a major partnership between Spike and the UFC, with Spike airing many more seasons of the show as well as fight compilations under the title ''UFC Unleashed'' and even live "Fight Night" events.

On January 18, 2018, Spike will relaunch as Creator/ParamountNetwork, as part of a larger revamp of Viacom's cable networks to focus on six "flagship brands": including Creator/ComedyCentral, MTV, Creator/{{Nickelodeon}}, Creator/NickJr, Creator/{{BET}}, and the Creator/{{Paramount}} film studio from which the network will now take its name from.

* ''Jail'', both in reruns, since 2010, and new episodes, from 2015 onward. It was [[NewSeasonNewName re-titled]] as ''Jail: Las Vegas'' for its fourth season, and ''Jail: Big Texas'' for its fifth.

Spike rebranded to the Creator/ParamountNetwork in 2018, as part of a larger revamp of Viacom's cable networks to focus on its "flagship six" brands: including Creator/ComedyCentral, MTV, Creator/{{Nickelodeon}} & Creator/NickJr, and Creator/{{BET}}.

Spike (formerly and commonly Spike TV) is a Creator/{{Viacom}}-owned network that was dedicated to every single male interest possible, as you might've been able to tell by its edgy name. It was basically the RatedMForManly Network, though some may say they lampshaded this often enough to venture into TestosteronePoisoning and invariably into UnfortunateImplications.

In February 2017, it was announced that [[http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/viacom-to-rebrand-spike-tv-paramount-television-1201981960/ Spike would rebrand as]] the Creator/ParamountNetwork in 2018, as part of a larger revamp of Viacom's cable networks to focus on its "flagship six" brands: including Creator/ComedyCentral, MTV, Creator/{{Nickelodeon}} & Creator/NickJr, and Creator/{{BET}}.

In February 2017, it was announced that [[http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/viacom-to-rebrand-spike-tv-paramount-television-1201981960/ Spike would rebrand as]] the Creator/{{Paramount}} Network in 2018, as part of a larger revamp of Viacom's cable networks to focus on its "flagship six" brands: including Creator/ComedyCentral, MTV, Creator/{{Nickelodeon}} & Creator/NickJr, and Creator/{{BET}}.

* ''WesternAnimation/RenAndStimpy Adult Party Cartoon''

** ''Jail'', both in reruns, since 2010, and new episodes, from 2015 onward. It was [[NewSeasonNewName re-titled]] as ''Jail: Las Vegas'' for its fourth season, and ''Jail: Big Texas'' for its fifth.

In 2003, the network title was completely changed to Spike TV, they would drop "TV" from their name three years later. The name change was delayed a little from a lawsuit by director Creator/SpikeLee, who claimed that viewers would associate the network with him. Unsurprisingly, the Spike network won the case. It did set up an awkward situation where a party at the Magazine/{{Playboy}} Mansion celebrating the new network had to have censor bars and bleeping all over the place to remove all mentions of "Spike" until they got their issues ironed out with Mr. Lee. ''[[Wrestling/WWERaw Raw]]'' stuck around for a while but went back to its original home on the Creator/USANetwork due to problems between Wrestling/{{WWE}} and Viacom, causing Spike to fill the ProfessionalWrestling void with the [[Wrestling/{{TNA}} competition]]... and ''Series/{{CSI}}'' and ''Franchise/StarTrek'' reruns.

The channel eventually started to be taken more seriously when, in 2005, they won exclusive broadcast rights to all six ''Franchise/StarWars'' movies, which they [[AdoredByTheNetwork proceeded to milk with for years]], running marathons during anniversary celebrations or holiday weekends [[note]][[Creator/{{TBS}} Turner]] [[Creator/AdultSwim Broadcasting]], owned by [[Creator/CartoonNetwork Time Warner]], eventually picked up the licenses after Spike lost them in 2015[[/note]]. Beginning in 2011, Spike would begin shifting focus away from "low-brow" programming in favor of unscripted series aimed at a more general audience. They would also expand their combat sport coverage to include promotions like Bellator MMA (formally Bellator Fighting Championships), which Viacom purchased in 2011 [[note]] Before then, Bellator events would be aired on Creator/{{MTV}}2 and Epix [[/note]], GLORY Kickboxing, and the Haymon Boxing-organized Premier Boxing Champions.

* ''MXC'' (or ''Series/MostExtremeEliminationChallenge''), which is simply a GagDub of an 80's Japanese game show called ''Series/TakeshisCastle''.
* ''Oblivious'' (or ''[[LuckyCharmsTitle Obliviou$]]''), a hidden-camera game show that ran for two seasons. The gag was that the host, Regan Burns, would be pretending to be working the whole time in a profession such as a florist as a baker, but while interacting with a customer would ask them trivia questions in a way that they wouldn't realize they were on a game show. In each episode, one of the marks then had the chance to turn things around by then doing the same thing with another unwitting contestant.

* ''The Ultimate Fighter'' -- an elimination style reality-series with guys competing to become a UFC fighter; this has consistently been one of the top-rated shows on the network since its inception. Beginning with season 15, the show moved to Creator/{{FX}}.
** ''UFC Unleashed'', an anthology series that airs classic or previously unaired UFC fights. Like ''TUF'', it has since moved to various Creator/{{Fox}} Sports channels.

* [[UsefulNotes/{{ElectronicEntertainmentExpo}} E3]] coverage with [=GameTrailers=].com, from 2012-2014. They continue to air [[Creator/MicrosoftStudios Microsoft's]] E3 briefings along with Spike's own E3 ''All Access'' special since 2015.

The channel eventually started to be taken more seriously when, in 2008, they won exclusive broadcast rights to all six ''Franchise/StarWars'' movies, which they [[AdoredByTheNetwork proceeded to milk with for years]], running marathons during anniversary celebrations or holiday weekends [[note]][[Creator/{{TBS}} Turner]] [[Creator/AdultSwim Broadcasting]], owned by [[Creator/CartoonNetwork Time Warner]], eventually picked up the licenses after Spike lost them in 2015[[/note]]. Beginning in 2011, Spike would begin shifting focus away from "low-brow" programming in favor of unscripted series aimed at a more general audience. They would also expand their combat sport coverage to include promotions like Bellator MMA (formally Bellator Fighting Championships), which Viacom purchased in 2011 [[note]] Before then, Bellator events would be aired on Creator/{{MTV}}2 and Epix [[/note]], GLORY Kickboxing, and the Haymon Boxing-organized Premier Boxing Champions.

* ''The Ultimate Fighter'' -- an elimination style reality-series with guys competing to become a UFC fighter; this has consistently been one of the top-rated shows on the network since its inception. Beginning with season 15, the show moved to Creator/{{Fox}} Sports 1.
** ''UFC Unleashed'', an anthology series that airs classic or previously unaired UFC fights. Likewise moved to various Fox Sports channels.

Viacom bought Creator/{{CBS}} in 2000, and merged TNN and CMT into Creator/{{MTV}} Networks. In order to avoid redundancy, TNN was {{retool}}ed into ''The National Network'', or ''The New TNN'', which tried to go beyond the Southern demographic, and was Viacom's second attempt at a "general entertainment" channel- in essence trying to clone the Creator/USANetwork, which they were once a part-owner of via Creator/{{Paramount}}. Its most successful original program was Wrestling/WWERaw (whose move to the network basically killed Wrestling/{{ECW}}, who had a show on the network which had to be canceled). While that still sounds like a part of the original demographic, The National Network also featured reruns of shows such as ''Series/{{Baywatch}}'', ''Series/DiffrentStrokes'', ''Series/MadTV'', ''Series/MiamiVice'', ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' and ''Series/ThreesCompany''.

Originally, it was known as TNN, a country music channel launched two days after rival Creator/{{CMT}}. The Nashville Network was originally owned by Gaylord Entertainment, alongside Westinghouse Broadcasting (an arm of Westinghouse Electric Company). Westinghouse, after becoming Creator/{{CBS}} Corporation, purchased all of TNN (and CMT, which Gaylord bought in 1991) in 1997. While it focused mainly on music videos, TNN included original programming such as the game shows ''Top Card'', UsefulNotes/{{NASCAR}} races, and outdoor, lifestyle and talk shows targeted to a country audience.

Viacom bought Creator/{{CBS}} in 2000, and merged TNN and CMT into Creator/{{MTV}} Networks. In order to avoid redundancy, TNN was {{retool}}ed into The National Network, or The New TNN, which tried to go beyond the Southern demographic, and was Viacom's second attempt at a "general entertainment" channel (the first was Creator/USANetwork, which they were once a part-owner of via Creator/{{Paramount}}). Its most successful original program was Wrestling/WWERaw (whose move to the network basically killed Wrestling/{{ECW}}, who had a show on the network which had to be canceled). While that still sounds like a part of the original demographic, The National Network also featured reruns of shows such as ''Series/{{Baywatch}}'', ''Series/DiffrentStrokes'', ''Series/MadTV'', ''Series/MiamiVice'', ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' and ''Series/ThreesCompany''.

The channel eventually started to be taken more seriously when, in 2008, they won exclusive broadcast rights to all six ''Franchise/StarWars'' movies, which they [[AdoredByTheNetwork proceeded to milk with for years]], running marathons during anniversary celebrations or holiday weekends [[note]][[Creator/{{TBS}} Turner]] [[Creator/AdultSwim Networks]], owned by [[Creator/CartoonNetwork Time Warner]], eventually picked up the licenses after Spike lost them in 2015[[/note]]. Beginning in 2011, Spike would begin shifting focus away from "low-brow" programming in favor of unscripted series aimed at a more general audience. They would also expand their combat sport coverage to include promotions like Bellator MMA (formally Bellator Fighting Championships), which Viacom purchased in 2011 [[note]] Before then, Bellator events would be aired on Creator/{{MTV}}2 and Epix [[/note]], GLORY Kickboxing, and the Haymon Boxing-organized Premier Boxing Champions.

In February 2017, it was announced that [[http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/viacom-to-rebrand-spike-tv-paramount-television-1201981960/ Spike would rebrand as]] the Creator/{{Paramount}} Network in 2018, as part of a larger revamp of Viacom's cable networks to focus on it's "flagship six" brands: including Creator/ComedyCentral, MTV, Creator/{{Nickelodeon}} & Creator/NickJr, and Creator/{{BET}}.

In February 2017, it was announced that [[http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/viacom-to-rebrand-spike-tv-paramount-television-1201981960/ Spike would rebrand as]] the Creator/{{Paramount}} Network in 2018, as part of a larger revamp of Viacom's cable networks.

Viacom bought Creator/{{CBS}} in 2000, and merged TNN and CMT into Creator/{{MTV}} Networks. In order to avoid redundancy, TNN was {{retool}}ed into The National Network, or The New TNN, which tried to go beyond the Southern demographic, and was Viacom's second attempt at a "general entertainment" channel (the first was Creator/USANetwork, which they were once a part-owner of via Paramount). Its most successful original program was Wrestling/WWERaw (whose move to the network basically killed Wrestling/{{ECW}}, who had a show on the network which had to be canceled). While that still sounds like a part of the original demographic, The National Network also featured reruns of shows such as ''Series/{{Baywatch}}'', ''Series/DiffrentStrokes'', ''Series/MadTV'', ''Series/MiamiVice'', ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' and ''Series/ThreesCompany''.

Originally, it was known as TNN, a country music channel launched two days after rival Creator/{{CMT}}. The Nashville Network was originally owned by Gaylord Entertainment, alongside Westinghouse Broadcasting (an arm of Westinghouse Electric Company). Westinghouse, after becoming Creator/{{CBS}} Corporation, purchased all of TNN (and CMT, which Gaylord bought in 1991) in 1997. While it focused mainly on music videos, TNN included original programming such as the game shows ''TopCard'', UsefulNotes/{{NASCAR}} races, and outdoor, lifestyle and talk shows targeted to a country audience.

In 2003, the network title was completely changed to Spike TV, they would drop "TV" from their name three years later. The name change was delayed a little from a lawsuit by director Creator/SpikeLee, who claimed that viewers would associate the network with him. Unsurprisingly, the Spike network won the case. It did set up an awkward situation where a party at the Magazine/{{Playboy}} Mansion celebrating the new network had to have censor bars and bleeping all over the place to remove all mentions of "Spike" until they got their issues ironed out with Mr. Lee. ''[[Wrestling/WWERaw Raw]]'' stuck around for a while but went back to its original home on the Creator/USANetwork due to problems between Wrestling/{{WWE}} and Viacom, causing Spike to fill the ProfessionalWrestling void with the [[Wrestling/{{TNA}} competition]]... and ''Series/{{CSI}}'' and ''Franchise/StarTrek'' reruns. The channel eventually started to be taken more seriously when, in 2008, they won exclusive broadcast rights to all six ''Franchise/StarWars'' movies, which they [[AdoredByTheNetwork proceeded to milk with for years]], running marathons during anniversary celebrations or holiday weekends.

In 2015, with ''Impact Wrestling'' ending its run on the network, [[ScrewedByTheNetwork thanks to an executive fallout between TNA and Viacom]], the end of the ''Video Game Awards'', and the loss of many syndicated rerun programs and the ''Star Wars'' film licenses (likely because it was becoming to expensive to keep them) [[note]]Turner Networks, owned by Time Warner, eventually picked up the licenses a year later[[/note]], Spike relaunched (yet again) as a general entertainment channel, with a rebrand that's meant to be more inclusive to women. A UK version of the channel was launched later that spring, with local programming from [[Creator/ChannelFive Channel 5]] (which is also owned by Viacom). Among other things, it is the first conventional TV channel in Britain to show ''Series/BreakingBad'', which had previously only been available via Creator/{{Netflix}} or on disc.

* [[UsefulNotes/{{ElectronicEntertainmentExpo}} E3]] coverage with [=GameTrailers=].com, from 2012-2014. They continue to air [[Creator/MicrosoftStudios Microsoft's]] E3 briefings along with Spike's own E3 ''All Access'' special from 2015 onward.

* ''Guys' Choice Awards'' -- an annual award show which exists to give the network's demographic a choice on what they like the best. Lately, it seems to be an overly-complicated way to get Creator/JenniferAniston to appear on an awards show once a year since 2010.

* ''UFC Unleashed'', an anthology series that airs classic or previously unaired UFC fights. Likewise moved to various Fox Sports channels.

'''Spike''' (formerly and commonly '''Spike TV''') is a Creator/{{Viacom}}-owned network that was dedicated to every single male interest possible, as you might've been able to tell by its edgy name. It was basically the RatedMForManly Network, though some may say they lampshaded this often enough to venture into TestosteronePoisoning and invariably into UnfortunateImplications.

Originally, it was known as TNN, a country music channel launched two days after rival Creator/{{CMT}}. '''The Nashville Network''' was originally owned by Gaylord Entertainment, alongside Westinghouse Broadcasting (an arm of Westinghouse Electric Company). Westinghouse, after becoming Creator/{{CBS}} Corporation, purchased all of TNN (and CMT, which Gaylord bought in 1991) in 1997. While it focused mainly on music videos, TNN included original programming such as the game shows ''TopCard'', UsefulNotes/{{NASCAR}} races, and outdoor, lifestyle and talk shows targeted to a country audience.

Viacom bought Creator/{{CBS}} in 2000, and merged TNN and CMT into Creator/{{MTV}} Networks. In order to avoid redundancy, TNN was {{retool}}ed into '''The National Network''', or '''The New TNN''', which tried to go beyond the Southern demographic, and was Viacom's second attempt at a "general entertainment" channel (the first was Creator/USANetwork, which they were once a part-owner of via Paramount). Its most successful original program was Wrestling/WWERaw (whose move to the network basically killed Wrestling/{{ECW}}, who had a show on the network which had to be canceled). While that still sounds like a part of the original demographic, The National Network also featured reruns of shows such as ''Series/{{Baywatch}}'', ''Series/DiffrentStrokes'', ''Series/MadTV'', ''Series/MiamiVice'', ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' and ''Series/ThreesCompany''.