Spike TV’s “Auction Hunters” and “Savage Family Diggers” Move to a New Night!

Please be advised that Spike TV’s original series “Auction Hunters” and “Savage Family Diggers” are moving to Saturday evenings beginning March 2^nd.

Auction Hunters

Spike TV’s “Auction Hunters” will now telecast Saturdays at 9:00 PM, ET/PT starting March 2^nd.

Savage Family Diggers

Spike TV’s “Savage Family Diggers” will now telecast Saturdays at 10:00 PM, ET/PT starting March 2^nd.

Artwork for both series is still available for immediate download by visiting www.spike.com/press.

Press Contacts:

Salil Gulati
212-767-8705
salil.gulati@mtvstaff.com

Shana Tepper
310-407-4728
shana.tepper@spiketv.com

“AUCTION HUNTERS: PAWNSHOP EDITION”

Series’ Fourth Season to Focus on Both Auctions and Newly Opened

Haff-Ton Pawn Shop and Premieres Wednesday, January 30 at 9:00 PM, ET/PT

New York, NY, January 8, 2013 – Allen Haff and Ton Jones are back in business on Spike TV on Wednesday, January 30 at 9:00 PM, ET/PT with back-to-back new episodes, and this time they have a surprise in store in the season premiere of “Auction Hunters:  Pawnshop Edition.”  The fourth season of Spike TV’s hit series will once again follow two of the best prospectors in the storage unit auction business, Allen Haff and Ton Jones, but this season the stakes are raised, as the two try to keep their newly opened Haff-Ton Pawn storefront in business. 

This season also introduces a new face, “Big Sis,” who manages Haff-Ton Pawn store while Haff and Jones are away.  A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Big Sis has bought, sold and collected vintage goods her entire life.

Haff and Jones uncover high-valued items this season, including a collection of century-old leather head football helmets worth over $10,000 and a desert land racing yacht worth $3,000.  The duo also discover rarities such as a 1800s Japanese Tonto Sword used for Seppuku ritual suicide worth $3,500 and a rigged 1930s mafia slot machine valued at $2,500.

Every year in America, 50,000 storage facilities hold auctions for abandoned storage units and, at these auctions, over $1 billion worth of goods changes hands.  Each unit has the potential to be a goldmine or a bust for those who make their living hunting unclaimed property.  “Auction Hunters:  Pawnshop Edition” cuts the lock and opens the door into the high stakes, financial risks and potential rewards where the right purchase can bring in serious cash, and also examines the dynamic at the storefront where Haff and Jones sell their discoveries. 

Spike.com will also get into the behind-the-scenes action of “Auction Hunters:  Pawnshop Edition.”  In addition to featuring weekly preview clips and highlight segments from each episode once the season starts, auctionhunters.spike.com currently features full episodes of the first three seasons.  Fans can also connect to the series via the official Auction Hunters Facebook page and join in on the conversation on Twitter using @SPIKETV and #AuctionHunters.

Haff is a second generation antiques dealer and collector with over 20 years of experience in the field.  By the age of 24, he owned his first antique business in Houston, TX and was one of the earliest eBay sellers of vintage collectibles online.  He moved to Los Angeles ten years ago and immediately began hunting in storage unit auctions, Hollywood thrift stores, estate sales and swap meets and earned a living buying and selling antiques and collectibles.  In 2008, Haff started Hollywood & Vintage, a high volume liquidation company specializing in movie memorabilia and vintage collectibles that he operates from his office and warehouse in Los Angeles.

Jones is a self-described hobbyist who has spent years hunting and fishing, as well as collecting knives, swords, guns, old currency and jewelry.  Jones was introduced to storage unit auctions more than seven years ago when he was looking for old cars to take into the desert to wreck for fun, but what he found was a world specifically tailored to his unique skills.  Jones, an imposing figure standing over 6’0”, 400 lbs., is a renowned auction hunter in the Southern California area.  Jones’ expertise lays in rare coins and weaponry, such as medieval swords, daggers and armor.

“Auction Hunters” is produced by Gurney Productions and executive produced by Scott Gurney and Deirdre Gurney.  Sharon Levy is Spike TV’s Executive Vice President, Original Series, Tim Duffy is Senior Vice President of Original Series for Spike TV and Alex Eastburg, Vice President of Original Series for Spike TV, serves as the network’s Executive in Charge of Production.

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media 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.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

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Press Contact:             Shana Tepper                Spike TV                   310-407-4728

“AUCTION HUNTERS” AND 13 EPISODES OF “AMERICAN DIGGER”      

New York, NY, August 7, 2012 – Spike TV has ordered new seasons of two of the network’s highest-rated non-scripted series that have successfully broadened and expanded the channel’s audience.  Spike has picked up a fourth season of 26 episodes of “Auction Hunters,” starring the two best prospectors in the business, Allen Haff and Ton Jones. The network also ordered 13 episodes of “American Digger,” following the American Savage team, led by former professional wrestler-turned-modern-day relic hunter Ric Savage. The announcement was made today by Sharon Levy, Spike TV’s Executive Vice President, Original Series.

The recently completed season three of “Auction Hunters” (March 21-June 6) delivered 1.9 million viewers and improved the timeslot with Men 18-49 by +102% and Men 35-49 by +121%.  The debut season of “American Digger” (March 6-June 6) delivered 1.2 million viewers and upped the timeslot with Men 35-49 by +36% and +11% with Men 18-49.

“We are thrilled to bring back new episodes of two of our most popular shows that speak to the network’s mission of delivering bold, non-scripted entertainment with real stakes,” said Levy.

Both “Auction Hunters” and “American Digger” will go into production this fall and new seasons will air in 2013.

“Auction Hunters” and “American Digger” are produced by Gurney Productions and executive produced by Scott Gurney and Deirdre Gurney.

About “Auction Hunters”:

Every year in America, 50,000 storage facilities hold auctions for abandoned storage units and, at these auctions, over $1 billion worth of goods changes hands.  Each unit has the potential to be a goldmine or a bust for those who make their living hunting unclaimed property.  “Auction Hunters” cuts the lock and opens the door into the high stakes, financial risks and potential rewards where the right purchase can bring in serious cash.  The series follows Haff and Jones in their quest to win auctions, dig for abandoned historical treasure and sell them for a profit.

About “American Digger”:

In the US, there are millions of historical relics buried in backyards just waiting to be discovered and turned into profit.  “American Digger” hopes to claim a piece of that pie as the series travels to a different city each week searching for high-value artifacts and relics, some of which have been untouched for centuries.  After pinpointing historical locations such as Civil War and Revolutionary War battlefields, Savage’s first task is to convince reluctant homeowners to let his team dig up their property using state-of-the-art metal detectors and heavy-duty excavation equipment.  The team will then sell any artifacts found for a substantial profit by consulting experts and scouring the antique and collectible markets, but not before negotiating a deal to divide the revenue with the property owners.

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media 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.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

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Press Contacts:

Shana Tepper               Spike TV         212-767-4275             shana.tepper@mtvstaff.com

David Schwarz             Spike TV         212-767-8639              david.schwarz@mtvstaff.com

 Mike Catherwood Hosts One Hour Live Broadcast From A High-End Auction In Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA, February 29, 2012 – Spike TV raises the stakes as for the first time ever the networks highest-rated non-scripted original series “Auction Hunters” premieres a special, one hour LIVE auction event.  Showcasing two of the best prospectors in the business, Allen Haff and Ton Jones, the episode will broadcast LIVE from an exclusive storage auction in Los Angeles. Hosted by “Loveline” co-host and former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Mike Catherwood, “Auction Hunters: Live” premieres Wednesday, March 21 at 9:00 PM, ET, immediately followed by the series premiere of “American Digger.”

“Auction Hunters: Live” follows Haff and Jones at a white-glove only auction in Los Angeles, as the duo is challenged to condense a week’s worth of work into one hour of LIVE television.  Haff and Jones will have to hurry to buy a unit, dig through it, and select a few items to present for sale to the assembled group of on-set experts.  The pressure is on as this rare auction could potentially lead to their biggest payday or greatest loss to date.  With the cameras rolling and the stakes higher than ever, Spike’s “Auction Hunters” are primed for the ultimate challenge.

“Auction Hunters: Live” kicks-off season three of the series on its new day and time Wednesday, March 28 (9:00 PM, ET/PT) with back-to-back episodes filmed in Alaska.  Additional locations for the new season include New Orleans, Washington D.C., New York City, Honolulu, Denver and Los Angeles.

“Auction Hunters” is produced by Gurney Productions and executive produced by Scott Gurney and Deirdre Gurney. Sharon Levy is Spike TV’s Executive Vice President, Original Series, Tim Duffy is Senior Vice President of Original Programming for Spike TV, and Jeff Savaiano serves as the Executive in Charge of Production.

About “Auction Hunters”

Every year in America, 50,000 storage facilities hold auctions for abandoned storage units and, at these auctions, over $1 billion worth of goods changes hands.  Each unit has the potential to be a goldmine or a bust for those who make their living hunting unclaimed property.  “Auction Hunters” cuts the lock and opens the door into the high stakes, financial risks and potential rewards where the right purchase can bring in serious cash.  The series follows Haff and Jones in their quest to win auctions, dig for abandoned historical treasure and sell them for a profit

About Spike TV

Spike TV is available in 99.8 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media 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.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

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Press Contacts:

Kevin Sornatale                                  310-407-4745                          kevin.sornatale@spike.com

Shana Tepper                                      212-767-4275                          shana.tepper@mtvstaff.com

The Hosts Of Auction Hunters And Flip Men To Appear In The Live And Interactive Multi-Platform Broadcast Special

New York, NY, November 9, 2011 – Spike TV presents a special live event on Tuesday, November 15 at 10:00pm featuring Allen Haff and Ton Jones from “Auction Hunters” and Doug Clark and Mike Baird from “Flip Men.”  Emanating from Los Angeles, LIVE interstitials will wrap around new episodes of Spike’s hit series “Auction Hunters” and “Flip Men.”  During the broadcast, Spike will announce a sweepstakes where one lucky viewer will have the opportunity to have the “Flip Men” hosts come to their house to recommend house renovations and present a $50,000 check.  Viewers will be able to enter the sweepstakes via Spike.com or Twitter.  Full details will be announced during the live broadcast.

Spike has also created the web site Flipforcash.spike.com for the special event which will host live polling questions about the night’s episodes and reveal poll results in real-time.  Viewers will be instructed on how to participate in the sweepstakes on the page, as Spike will also award 50 viewers with $500 towards home improvements in addition to the big $50,000 prize.

During the special live event, viewers will also be able to interact directly with the hosts by tweeting questions or comments to @SPIKE_TV or post pictures of items and needed home renovations on the SPIKE Facebook page.  Viewers will then receive answers and live consultations from the hosts throughout the special event in real-time.

Spike aired a similar live special event for the season finale of “Deadliest Warrior,” which drew season-high ratings for the show and used social media polling to affect the show’s outcome.

About “Auction Hunters”:

Every year in America, 50,000 storage facilities hold auctions for abandoned storage units and, at these auctions, over $1 billion worth of goods changes hands.  Each unit has the potential to be a goldmine or a bust for those who make their living hunting unclaimed property.  “Auction Hunters” cuts the lock and opens the door into the high stakes, financial risks and potential rewards where the right purchase can bring in serious cash.  The series follows Haff and Jones in their quest to win auctions, dig for abandoned historical treasure and sell them for a profit.

About “Flip Men”:

“Flip Men” will showcase the young, entrepreneurial duo of Utah-based Doug Clark and Mike Baird, who constantly roll the dice with their financial fates by buying and flipping foreclosed property.  In each episode, the hosts will walk viewers through the often-tenuous process that is involved and provide tips and analysis along their journey.

About Spike TV

Spike TV is available in 99.8 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, 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.   Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

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Press Contacts:

Kevin Sornatale                                  310-407-4745                          kevin.sornatale@spike.com

OF SEASON 2 ON TUESDAY, JULY 19 at 10:00 PM 

The Network’s Popular Original Unscripted Series Delves Into The Intriguing World  

Of Storage-Unit Auctions

New York, NY, July 7, 2011 – Spike TV’s highest-rated non-scripted original entertainment series, “Auction Hunters,” returns with brand new episodes of season 2 starting Tuesday, July 19 at 10:00 PM, ET/PT.  A special new New England-area-based episode will air Sunday, July 17 at 9:30 PM as a lead in to the premiere of Spike TV’s new series, “Bar Rescue.”  

“Auction Hunters” explores the cutthroat world of storage-unit auctions with two of the best prospectors in the business, Allen Haff and Ton Jones.  Every day in America, there are over ten thousand abandoned storage units that are put up for public auction.  Each unit has the potential to be a goldmine or a bust for those who make their living hunting unclaimed property.  The series offers viewers a rare look into the high stakes, financial risks and potential rewards where the right purchase can bring in serious cash.

In the new upcoming episodes, Haff and Jones uncover high-valued items including a 1990s military-grade Tomahawk cruise missile jet engine valued at $15,000 and an 1800s naval cane sword with hidden telescope valued at $25,000.  The duo will also discover rarities such as a late 1970s Z-Flex Jimmy Plumer Poolrider skateboard with original artwork by Doug Smith valued at $4,000 and an 1870s French Dolne “Apache” knuckle-duster revolver valued at $3,600.

Allen Haff is a second generation antiques dealer and collector with over 20 years of experience in the field.  By the age of 24, he owned his first antique business in Houston, TX and was one of the earliest eBay sellers of vintage collectibles online.  He moved to Los Angeles ten years ago and immediately began hunting in storage unit auctions, Hollywood thrift stores, estate sales and swap meets and earned a living buying and selling antiques and collectibles.  In 2008, Haff started Hollywood & Vintage, a high volume liquidation company specializing in movie memorabilia and vintage collectibles that he operates from his office and warehouse in Los Angeles.

Ton Jones is a self-described hobbyist who has spent years hunting and fishing, as well as collecting knives, swords, guns, old currency and jewelry.  Jones was introduced to storage unit auctions more than seven years ago when he was looking for old cars to take into the desert to wreck for fun, but what he found was a world specifically tailored to his unique skills.  Jones, an imposing figure standing over 6’0”, 300lbs., is a renowned auction hunter in the Southern California area.  Jones’ expertise lays in rare coins and weaponry, such as medieval swords, daggers and armor.

Spike TV is available in 99.4 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, 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.   Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

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Press Contact:                   Shana Tepper                    Spike TV               212-767-4275

New Season Will Travel To Seven Different Locations From Brooklyn To Alaska

One Special Episode In 2012 Will Be LIVE

New York, NY, June 20, 2011 – Spike TV has ordered a third season of 26 episodes of its highest-rated non-scripted original entertainment series, “Auction Hunters,”  it was announced today by Sharon Levy, Spike TV’s  executive vice president, original series and animation.  From Brooklyn to Anchorage, from New Orleans to Hawaii, “Auction Hunters” once again follows Allen Haff and Ton Jones as they traverse the country in search of treasure hidden in storage units.  The new season will include one special LIVE episode in early 2012, the first time ever for the network’s popular franchise.  In this momentous event, Ton and Allen will open up a special pod live in primetime.

“We are thrilled to take the series to all different corners of the country, from New York City to Alaska, to uncover rare and extraordinary items unique to that area,” said Levy.

The markets for season three include Anchorage, Alaska, New Orleans, Washington D.C., New York City, New Jersey, Hawaii, Denver and Los Angeles.  Details for the LIVE episode will come at a later date.

The second season (April 5-May 31) featured episodes in Los Angeles, Miami, Boston, Las Vegas and Chicago.  The show averaged 1.7 million viewers and routinely ranked in the top 5 of shows on cable with Men 18-49 in its timeslot.  “Auction Hunters” also improved the timeslot for Spike (Tuesdays at 10pm) by 53% in total viewers compared to last year.

Every year in America, 50,000 storage facilities hold auctions for abandoned storage units and, at these auctions, over $1 billion worth of goods changes hands.  Each unit has the potential to be a goldmine or a bust for those who make their living hunting unclaimed property.  “Auction Hunters” cuts the lock and opens the door into the high stakes, financial risks and potential rewards where the right purchase can bring in serious cash.  The series follows Haff and Jones in their quest to win auctions, dig for abandoned historical treasure and sell them for a profit.

“Auction Hunters” is produced by Gurney Productions and executive produced by Scott Gurney and Deirdre Gurney.  Levy is Spike TV’s executive vice president, original series and animation, Tim Duffy is senior vice president of original programming for Spike TV.

Allen Haff is a second generation antiques dealer and collector with over 20 years of experience in the field.  By the age of 24, he owned his first antique business in Houston, TX and was one of the earliest eBay sellers of vintage collectibles online.  He moved to Los Angeles ten years ago and immediately began hunting in storage unit auctions, Hollywood thrift stores, estate sales and swap meets and earned a living buying and selling antiques and collectibles.  In 2008, Haff started Hollywood & Vintage, a high volume liquidation company specializing in movie memorabilia and vintage collectibles that he operates from his office and warehouse in Los Angeles.

Ton Jones is a self-described hobbyist who has spent years hunting and fishing, as well as collecting knives, swords, guns, old currency and jewelry.  Jones was introduced to storage unit auctions more than seven years ago when he was looking for old cars to take into the desert to wreck for fun, but what he found was a world specifically tailored to his unique skills.  Jones, an imposing figure standing over 6’0”, 300lbs., is a renowned auction hunter in the Southern California area.  Jones’ expertise lays in rare coins and weaponry, such as medieval swords, daggers and armor.

Spike TV is available in 99.6 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, 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.   Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

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Press Contact:             Shana Tepper                Spike TV                   212-767-4275