Cable TV's TNN Changes Name to Spike - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AKA · 04-16-2003, 12:15 AM

Cable TV's TNN Changes Name to Spike

By David Bauder
The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Spike is no longer just the name of a famous film director or a volleyball move. Now it's the name of a cable network, too.

Struggling TNN — which just two years ago changed from The Nashville Network to The National Network — announced Tuesday that, effective June 16, it will call itself Spike TV and become the first network aimed specifically at men.

"We just like the idea of having a guy's name," said Albie Hecht, network president. "We thought that was smart and fun and irreverent."

TNN's switch isn't exactly a stretch. Since it already airs World Wrestling Entertainment, "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and a made-up game of basketball played on trampolines called "slam ball," nearly two-thirds of TNN's audience is male, anyway.

Lifetime, Oxygen and the Women's Entertainment network all seek female viewers. Although outlets like ESPN have a mostly male audience, Hecht said Spike TV is the first to explicitly identify this as a goal.

The switch also enables TNN, and parent company Viacom, a chance to outmaneuver the publishers of Maxim magazine. Dennis Publishing is developing a cable channel called the Maxim Entertainment Network, or MEN.

Viacom's attempt two years ago to keep the TNN initials, though, confused some viewers who still saw it as a regional, country music-oriented channel.

TNN's ratings have been sagging, with an average prime-time audience of a little more than 1 million viewers during the first three months of 2003, down 16 percent from the same year-earlier period. TNN dropped from the eighth-most popular basic cable station to 14th.

Its most popular programs, Monday's two WWE wrestling shows, are off 22 percent in viewership, with "Star Trek" down 32 percent, Nielsen Media Research said.

They will remain on Spike TV. Spike will also work with Men's Health magazine to produce segments on fitness or relationships, and CBS Marketwatch to provide financial updates.

New programs in the works include "A Guy and His Stuff," about gizmos and gadgets, and "Top 10 Things Every Guy Should Experience," which will follow men to top sporting events like the Super Bowl.

Spike TV is already available in 86 million television homes.

Despite the name, Hecht promises the network will be no He-Man Woman Hater's Club.

"We'll be unapologetically male," he said. "But it will also be a place where women are welcomed."

MandieR1980 · 04-16-2003, 01:21 AM

I only watched TNN when it was The Nashville Network I don't even watch this new TNN and I doubt I'll watch Spike either

Three'sCompanyrules · 04-16-2003, 03:25 AM

That doesn't suprise me Tnn has gone downhill after they stopped with the Nashville network, I'm not sure a name change to spike will be any better.

Brandon · 04-16-2003, 07:21 AM

i think ratings declined because of the black bar.

AllIWantIsYourClutch · 04-16-2003, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brandon
i think ratings declined because of the black bar.

I think it's cool...it's like Lifetime for a guy.

sara · 04-17-2003, 02:41 AM

I think calling it Spike is really a dumb idea. Spike doesn't sound all that manly to me. That's what Joan River's called her little dog and that what comes to mind when I hear the name. A little yipping dog.

Fran Fan · 04-17-2003, 03:08 AM

Star Trek, especially TNG, is one the few sci-fi shows that seem to appeal both to men and women. Hmmm... So, esentially TNN is becoming a 24/7 "Man Show" or what do they consider an all male network ought to be interesting. Lots of action-flicks, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwartzenegger and science fiction/fantasy flicks. Sitcoms focused towards the male gender? Hercules instead of Xena (which runs on Oxygen)?

Well, I may not have any estrogen but I'll give Lifetime credit for running The Nanny five times a day and giving us Fran's intimate portrait.

Fran Fan · 04-17-2003, 03:09 AM

Spike is that big bulldog that Sylvester the Cat is always having trouble. I think it's also the name of the bulldog on Tom & Jerry.

JoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJo · 04-17-2003, 09:45 AM

whatever tickles there pickle

¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ · 04-17-2003, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brandon
i think ratings declined because of the black bar.

Really? Oh meangya, if people stopped watching TNN because of a stupid lil black bar, then they need to get the hell over it.

KJH278 · 04-18-2003, 01:12 AM

I watch TNN for all of the WWE programming

04-16-2003, 12:15 AM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Cable TV's TNN Changes Name to Spike Cable TV's TNN Changes Name to Spike By David Bauder The Associated Press NEW YORK - Spike is no longer just the name of a famous film director or a volleyball move. Now it's the name of a cable network, too. Struggling TNN — which just two years ago changed from The Nashville Network to The National Network — announced Tuesday that, effective June 16, it will call itself Spike TV and become the first network aimed specifically at men. "We just like the idea of having a guy's name," said Albie Hecht, network president. "We thought that was smart and fun and irreverent." TNN's switch isn't exactly a stretch. Since it already airs World Wrestling Entertainment, "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and a made-up game of basketball played on trampolines called "slam ball," nearly two-thirds of TNN's audience is male, anyway. Lifetime, Oxygen and the Women's Entertainment network all seek female viewers. Although outlets like ESPN have a mostly male audience, Hecht said Spike TV is the first to explicitly identify this as a goal. The switch also enables TNN, and parent company Viacom, a chance to outmaneuver the publishers of Maxim magazine. Dennis Publishing is developing a cable channel called the Maxim Entertainment Network, or MEN. Viacom's attempt two years ago to keep the TNN initials, though, confused some viewers who still saw it as a regional, country music-oriented channel. TNN's ratings have been sagging, with an average prime-time audience of a little more than 1 million viewers during the first three months of 2003, down 16 percent from the same year-earlier period. TNN dropped from the eighth-most popular basic cable station to 14th. Its most popular programs, Monday's two WWE wrestling shows, are off 22 percent in viewership, with "Star Trek" down 32 percent, Nielsen Media Research said. They will remain on Spike TV. Spike will also work with Men's Health magazine to produce segments on fitness or relationships, and CBS Marketwatch to provide financial updates. New programs in the works include "A Guy and His Stuff," about gizmos and gadgets, and "Top 10 Things Every Guy Should Experience," which will follow men to top sporting events like the Super Bowl. Spike TV is already available in 86 million television homes. Despite the name, Hecht promises the network will be no He-Man Woman Hater's Club. "We'll be unapologetically male," he said. "But it will also be a place where women are welcomed."

04-16-2003, 01:21 AM	#2
MandieR1980 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2001 Location: East Taunton, Massachusetts Posts: 2,635	geez I only watched TNN when it was The Nashville Network I don't even watch this new TNN and I doubt I'll watch Spike either
	__________________ Mandie myspace.com/mlr930

04-16-2003, 07:21 AM	#4
Brandon Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 03, 2003 Location: Hell Above The Soil Posts: 2,838	i think ratings declined because of the black bar.
	__________________ <center> <img src=http://www.tvlinksonline.com/boards/attachment.php?s=&postid=875292> Break back another heart attack!

04-17-2003, 02:41 AM	#6
sara Member Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2002 Location: grandville michigan Posts: 2,296	I think calling it Spike is really a dumb idea. Spike doesn't sound all that manly to me. That's what Joan River's called her little dog and that what comes to mind when I hear the name. A little yipping dog.
	__________________ Help stamp out and eradicate superfluous redundancy!

04-17-2003, 03:08 AM	#7
Fran Fan Love That Yenta Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 13, 2003 Posts: 179	Star Trek, especially TNG, is one the few sci-fi shows that seem to appeal both to men and women. Hmmm... So, esentially TNN is becoming a 24/7 "Man Show" or what do they consider an all male network ought to be interesting. Lots of action-flicks, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwartzenegger and science fiction/fantasy flicks. Sitcoms focused towards the male gender? Hercules instead of Xena (which runs on Oxygen)? Well, I may not have any estrogen but I'll give Lifetime credit for running The Nanny five times a day and giving us Fran's intimate portrait.
	__________________ <center> <img src="http://frannydrescher.homestead.com/files/files2/rachaelbellabecca.jpg">

04-16-2003, 03:25 AM	#3
Three'sCompanyrules Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 14, 2002 Location: Holdrege, NE Posts: 1,233	That doesn't suprise me Tnn has gone downhill after they stopped with the Nashville network, I'm not sure a name change to spike will be any better.

04-17-2003, 03:09 AM	#8
Fran Fan Love That Yenta Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 13, 2003 Posts: 179	Spike is that big bulldog that Sylvester the Cat is always having trouble. I think it's also the name of the bulldog on Tom & Jerry.

04-17-2003, 09:45 AM	#9
JoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJo A and J Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 31, 2001 Location: .S.C. Posts: 3,070	whatever tickles there pickle
	__________________

04-18-2003, 01:12 AM	#11
KJH278 Member Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2002 Location: IN A APARTMENT Posts: 1,158	I watch TNN for all of the WWE programming