Spike TV and TNA Wrestling Extend Partnership Through 2012

Spike TV and TNA Wrestling Extend Partnership Through 2012

Deal Includes New Weekly Installments Of 'TNA: iMPACT!' And The Addition Of New Original Series Of Specials

NEW YORK, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Spike TV and Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling have agreed to a new, three-year extension of their partnership, it was announced jointly today by Kevin Kay, President, Spike TV and Dixie Carter, President of TNA Entertainment.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060322/NYW096LOGO)

The deal, which begins October 1, 2009, includes three new years of TNA's weekly "iMPACT!" show as well as the addition of a new original series of one-hour specials. Each special (title TBD) will feature the biggest personalities and highlight some the greatest awe-inspiring bouts in the history of TNA, many of them never-before-seen on basic cable. TNA Entertainment will produce 10 one-hour installments.

"TNA: iMPACT!" is coming off its highest-rated and most-watched quarter on Spike TV. During 2Q09, more than 1.8 million viewers on average tuned in to "TNA: iMPACT!" on Spike each week. Overall, "TNA: iMPACT!" saw an impressive 31% overall growth compared to YAGO, with double digit increases in the key demographics of M18-49 (+33%) and P18-49 (+40).*

"With the tremendous success and record ratings we have achieved over the past three years, we are very happy to continue as Spike TV's wrestling partner," said Carter. "We are excited to continue our relationship with the fantastic team that has supported TNA from the very beginning and look forward to even greater success with all of our TNA programming on Spike TV."

"TNA Wrestling has consistently delivered strong ratings in key male demographics and has continually grown its weekly audience. In the past year alone, 'iMPACT!' has seen a remarkable increase of 30% in overall growth," said Kay. "We are excited to not only continue but also expand our relationship with the world's fastest growing wrestling organization."

"Cross The Line" to TNA Wrestling. TNA Wrestling is the most innovative experience in professional wrestling today. Join the TNA World Heavyweight Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, Sting, Mick Foley, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, "The Samoan Submission Machine" Samoa Joe, Booker T, the lovely and lethal TNA Knockouts and the no-limits X-Division inside the six-sided ring of "TNA iMPACT!" every Thursday night (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) only on Spike TV.

TNA Entertainment, LLC is a privately held company headquartered in Nashville, Tenn.

Spike TV is available in 98 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , MTV 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 and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV's press site at http://www.spike.com/press.

* LIVE+MC data = 2Q09 vs. 2Q08

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Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060322/NYW096LOGO

Source: Spike TV

CONTACT: Debra Fazio-Rutt of Spike TV (NY), +1-212-767-8649,
debra.fazio@spiketv.com; or Steven Godfrey of TNA (Nashville),
+1-615-244-5557, sgodfrey@tnawrestling.com

Web Site: http://www.spike.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment