TNN To Change Its Name To Spike TV

Posted on April 25, 2003

Network president Albie Hecht has announced that TNN: The National Network will be re-named Spike TV, reflecting its new brand positioning as the first network for men. The name change will take effect on-air on Monday, June 16, and the network's new logo will be unveiled at the MTV Networks upfront presentation in New York City on Tuesday, May 6.

"Today the first network for men has a name, and its Spike TV," Hecht said in making the announcement. "Spike TV captures the attributes and essence of what we want the first network for men to be. It's unapologetically male; it's active; it's smart and contemporary with a personality that's aggressive and irreverent. It's a name we feel our audience will get and make a connection with. I like Spike! This is a first major step in our journey to super-serving men in a way no one has done before."

Mr. Hecht made the announcement of the new name during a conference call in which he announced the network's first slate of male-skewing programming, which included partnerships with Men's Health magazine, CBS MarketWatch, as well as a schedule of new series and specials geared to appealing to the wide range of men's entertainment interests.

Added Herb Scannell, President, Nickelodeon, TV Land and Spike TV, "When we decided use our near 65% male audience skew and become the first network for men, we knew we needed a name that was a strong statement of what this brand will be. Spike TV is going to be a great addition to our portfolio of channels and will laser in on its target male demo and serve them the way Nickelodeon serves kids and TV Land serves classic TV lovers."

The re-naming of the channel will be supported by a multi-million dollar awareness campaign that will include on-air, outdoor and print advertising. For programming listing guides, Spike TV will utilize the abbreviation SPIKE. Spike TV, the first network for men, is available in 86 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks.