Spike (TV channel)

Spike is an American cable network designed to cater to a young adult male demographic. The network began as The Nashville Network (TNN), founded by Gaylord Entertainment Company and Group W Satellite Communications on March 7, 1983. In 2000, after 17 years of country music-related programming, Viacom renamed the network The National Network and realigned it as a general interest network. TNN was renamed Spike TV in 2003 with its new focus, despite a brief lawsuit by filmmaker Spike Lee. By mid-2006, the on-screen name was shortened to simply "Spike." The network now airs a combination of original programming and reruns of network programming, including series from the CSI and Star Trek franchises, MXC, Game Head, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and Ultimate Fighting Championship programming. It is part of MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom. As of 2006, Spike's viewership is almost half women (45%). Furthermore, the average age of the network's viewers is 42 years old.