Spike TV

Spike TV is a cable network that began as The Nashville Network (TNN), founded by Gaylord Entertainment Company and Group W Satellite Communications in March 1983. TNN was renamed Spike in 2003 after a brief lawsuit by filmmaker Spike Lee.

Spike TV Lawsuit

In early 2003, another name change was announced. The new brand, Spike TV, was marketed as the first network for men, although this is not necessarily true, as networks such as Men TV already existed before Spike TV was announced. The name change was slated to coincide with a change in programming, including original shows like the adult-oriented animated series Stripperella, Gary the Rat, and the Ren & Stimpy's Adult Party Cartoon, as well as imports such as MXC (a.k.a. Most Extreme Elimination Challenge). The name change was supposed to be official on June 26, 2003. However, on June 19, 2003, film director Spike Lee won a New York State Supreme Court injunction preventing the name change, which Lee feared viewers would associate with him. Lee's injunction became the subject of ridicule in the media and talk shows. During the lawsuit, even the name "TNN" was significantly scaled back, as logos and voice-overs referred to the network as "The First Network for Men." On July 8, 2003, the suit was settled, and TNN was allowed to call itself Spike TV. There is some speculation that Lee had been paid a significant sum to sue the network in order as a way to promote the network. Though this has never been proved. The name change became official on August 11 of that same year. Before August 11, there was a Spike TV party, but all the Spike TV logos were blurred out during the lawsuit.

Related Topics:
2003 - Marketed - Men - Men TV - Programming - Animated series - Stripperella - Gary the Rat - Ren & Stimpy's Adult Party Cartoon - MXC - June 26 - June 19 - Film director - Spike Lee - New York - State - Supreme Court - Injunction - July 8 - August 11

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