Spike (UK)

Spike
Launched 15 April 2015
Owned by Viacom International Media Networks Europe
Picture format 576i (16:9 SDTV)
Slogan Live it like Spike
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Broadcast area United Kingdom
Sister channel(s)
Website www.spiketv.co.uk
Availability
Terrestrial
Freeview Channel 31
Satellite
Freesat Channel 141
Sky (UK only) Channel 160
Astra 2F 10964 H 22000 5/6

Spike is a British digital television channel owned by the Channel 5 division of Viacom International Media Networks Europe. Launching on 15 April 2015 to replace Viva on Freeview, it is a localized version of the U.S. channel of the same name and primarily airs entertainment programming geared towards a male audience.

History

Following Viacom's acquisition of Channel 5, it was reported that a local version of the male skewing U.S. channel Spike would be launching in the United Kingdom. These reports were confirmed in late 2014, with the channel proposed to replace Viva on Freeview.[1] The channel is operated under the auspices of Channel 5 program director Ben Frow; of Spike's lineup, he described the service as a "driven, high-energy channel offering a point of view and programme mix I think is different from anything else on British TV right now."

Spike launched on 15 April 2015; on Freeview, Spike occupies the channel allotment previously used by Viva.[2][3][4] Opening night ratings were a major improvement over those of Viva, with the premiere of Police Interceptors: Unleashed seen by 137,000 viewers.[5]

Programming

The channel's lineup draws primarily from the original programmes produced by its U.S. counterpart, including Bar Rescue, Catch a Contractor, and Lip Sync Battle among others, along with imported U.S. dramas such as Breaking Bad (marking the first time the entire series will be broadcast by British television; only the first two seasons were shown by FX and Five USA, with the remainder available via Netflix), Sons of Anarchy, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and The Walking Dead. Spike also carries original British productions, such as Police Interceptors: Unleashed—a spin-off of the Channel 5 series hosted by footballer Vinnie Jones, [5] and repeats of Channel 5 factual programmes.[6][7]

As in the U.S.,[8] mixed-martial arts will also comprise a portion of Spike's lineup, with British rights to Bellator MMA, and under a new long-term deal, exclusive rights to BAMMA events beginning with BAMMA 20 on 25 April 2015.[9]

Original

From Spike U.S.

From Channel 5

Imported

References

  1. ↑ "Viacom to launch Spike TV in UK". Broadcast. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  2. ↑ "Spike TV to launch with Breaking Bad". Broadcast. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  3. ↑ Munn, Patrick (26 March 2015). "VIMN To Launch Spike UK on April 15th; Picks Up UK Rights to Olympus, Justified, Sons & Anarchy and More". TVWise. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  4. ↑ "Dire UTV Ireland could learn a thing or two from Spike". Herald.ie. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Breaking Bad helps Spike to solid launch night". Broadcast Now. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  6. ↑ "Spike to Launch in U.K. with ‘Breaking Bad,’ ‘Walking Dead,’ ‘Sons of Anarchy’". Variety. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  7. ↑ "Spike TV: the best and worst of the new channel's brogramming". The Guardian. 15 April 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  8. ↑ "Mr. Friday Night Lights Out? Joe Schilling eyes PBC Boxing in addition to Bellator and GLORY". MMAMania (SBNation). Vox Media. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  9. ↑ "http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2015/3/26/8294455/bamma-to-broadcast-live-on-spike-tv-in-the-uk". Bloody Elbow (SBNation). Vox Media. Retrieved 25 April 2015.

External links