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.

The National Network/The New TNN (2000-2003)

In September 2000, Viacom sensed redundancy among its related TNN and CMT networks when they merged them into their MTV Networks unit and decided to refocus TNN. The network dramatically scaled back its country-western trappings and changed its name to The National Network (also referred to as The New TNN). During this time, the network's operations were moved from Nashville to New York. The name change also triggered a significant programming change in an attempt to appeal to a broader audience. This change was catalyzed by Viacom's acquisition of the rights to WWF programming, including its flagship show Raw Is War. By 2002, all country-western programming had been purged from TNN. Some of The Nashville Network's former programming was picked up by CMT. Beginning in 2004, some of the older TNN programming, notably talk-show Crook & Chase, began re-airing on the Great American Country network.

Related Topics:
September 2000 - New York - WWF - Raw Is War - 2002 - 2004 - Great American Country

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