SPIKE: THE ONES TO WATCH
Network Launches New Logo and Tagline; Announces New Programming And Development Deals at Upfront Event
Upfront All Star Line Up Includes Ben Kingsley, Dwayne Johnson, Jillian Michaels, Adam Carolla, Jon Taffer, Dave Navarro, John Krasinski,
Stephen Merchant, LL Cool J & Chrissy Teigen
New York, NY, March 3, 2015 - With a series of announcements including a new tagline and logo at an Upfront presentation to advertisers this afternoon in New York City, Spike took a giant step further toward its mission of attracting a broader, gender-balanced audience.
"We have successfully transformed Spike from a hyper-fueled network for young guys into a distinctive entertainment destination that's inclusive and female friendly," said Kevin Kay, President, Spike. "We built that foundation with gender-balanced original hits like "Bar Rescue" and "Ink Master, " Now those hits are paving the way for the next step in our development with shows like "Tut" and "Lip Sync Battle." The new Spike has got it all: big talent, engaging shows, and hits that get people talking. We are the ones to watch."
The tagline "Spike: The Ones To Watch" encompasses the network's strategic shift to a general entertainment network delivering compelling original entertainment with an edge and a distinctive point of view. It speaks to the network's bold personalities and a brand pushing the boundaries of the unexpected. With a dynamic multi-platform redesign, Spike's on-air look will reflect the brand's evolution.
Among the announcements Spike made today include:
Sweat Inc.
Jillian Michaels, one of the nation's leading health and wellness experts, is partnering with Spike TV to find the next big fitness craze in the non-scripted original series, "Sweat Inc." Over the last decade, the fitness industry has exploded with over 30,000 fitness clubs around the country and over 58 million memberships. Fitness enthusiasts are always on the lookout for next big thing. Whoever creates the next Soul Cycle(R), Zumba(R), or Crossfit(R) could be sitting on new billion dollar idea. In the new Spike reality-competition series "Sweat Inc," twelve aspiring fitness entrepreneurs compete to prove they've developed the next groundbreaking exercise program. Michaels serves as host and judge for "Sweat Inc," utilizing her vast knowledge of the fitness industry along with her keen business sense, in deciding which workout program might very well be the next new phenomenon.
Legendary Pictures development deal
Spike TV has partnered with Legendary Pictures to develop an original scripted series, "Emergency Broadcast," that features a group of government first responders who confront the planet's most fantastic crises and disasters. Based on an original idea by Thomas Tull, Chairman and CEO of Legendary, the project reteams Legendary with longtime collaborator Max Brooks, the best-selling and critically-acclaimed author ("World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War," "Zombie Survival Guide"), who serves as a Consultant on the project.
Dwayne Johnson development deal
Spike TV has partnered with global superstar Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia's $7 Bucks Productions, for a development deal to create and produce compelling and impactful programming for the network. Johnson and Garcia will executive produce shows ranging from big live events, specials, sports and initiatives surrounding our troops and veterans. The goal is to tap into people's humanity and touch lives, inspiring the audience while entertaining them.
Lip Sync Battle- New episodes/Big Names
Spike TV has green lit an additional eight episodes of the highly-anticipated new, original series, "Lip Sync Battle." The series is based on the cultural phenomenon of lip sync battling seen by millions on television and online. Featured performers for the new eight episodes include Emily Blunt, Anne Hathaway, Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Queen Latifah, Justin Bieber, Will Arnett, Alison Brie, Mike Tyson, and Terry Crews.
Enclosed are links previewing some of Spike's new shows:
Spike TV's Upfront presentation featured a bevy of the network's talent including the cast of the network's most ambitious project to date, the event series "Tut" including Ben Kingsley, Avan Jorgia, Sibylla Deen, and Kylie Bunbury; Dwayne Johnson, who announced his development deal; Jillian Michaels, who announced her new non-scripted series, "Sweat Inc;" Jon Taffer from the network's hit series, "Bar Rescue;" Dave Navarro, the host of the highly-rated "Ink Master;" Adam Carolla, the host of "Catch A Contractor" and LL Cool J, Chrissy Teigen, John Krasinski and Stephen Merchant from the network's highly-anticipated upcoming series, "Lip Sync Battle."
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.
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