PRESS CENTER

NEW EPISODES OF “COPS” MOVE TO SPIKE TV IN SEPTEMBER 2013

New York, NY, May 6, 2013 – Spike TV will be the new television home for one of the longest running series in television history, “Cops,” it was announced today by Kevin Kay, President, Spike TV.  The iconic series will move from FOX to Spike with new episodes debuting in September 2013.

“Cops,” concluding its 25^th season in primetime this May, is the rawest and the most realistic of all reality shows. The ground-breaking series allows viewers to ride along with the men and women of law enforcement every week as they take on everything from domestic disputes to car chases.

“Cops is a remarkable series that has been able to sustain strong ratings well into its third decade, a monumental achievement in television,” said Kay. “As we continue to grow and expand our audience, new episodes of “Cops,” with its loyal audience of Adults 18-49, is the perfect addition to our primetime lineup on Saturday nights.”

Spike TV will keep “Cops” in its long-standing timeslot of Saturday nights at 8pm ET/PT.  The network will also have access to a portion of the “Cops” vast library.

“After 25 seasons with FOX, we are delighted to find our new home with the Spike family where we previously aired Undercover Stings,” said John Langley, President Langley Productions. “And we are doubly pleased that our Cops timeslot remains Saturday nights for our fans. It may be bold to say, but we are looking for yet another record-breaking run with Spike!”

Created by John Langley, “Cops” premiered on March 11, 1989, and has aired over 900 new episodes. The show has followed officers in 140 different cities in the United States and in Hong Kong, London, and the former Soviet Union.  Langley Productions is one of the U.S.’s premiere independent non-fiction production companies.

About Spike:

Spike 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’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike’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.

# # #

Press Contacts:

SPIKE TV

David Schwarz

212-767-8639

david.schwarz@mtvstaff.com

LANGLEY PRODUCTIONS

Pam Golum

(323) 965-1990 x325

pgolum@thelippingroup

SPIKE TV ANNOUNCES NEW SCRIPTED EVENT-SERIES DEVELOPMENT SLATE FEATURING PROJECTS FROM HOLLYWOOD’S MOST CREATIVE AND DYNAMIC MINDS

Tom Fontana, Chris Collins, Leslie Greif, Gene Simmons, Bobby Moresco, Jonathan Koch, Steve Michaels, Craig Piligian,  Dimitri Doganis, and Bart Layton Are Among The Talented Producers and Writers Behind Spike’s Event-Series Scripted Slate

Network’s Scripted Development to Further Grow and Expand the Network’s Audience Base  

New York, NY – April 29, 2013 – Spike TV is back in the scripted business in a big way.  As the network continues to target a broader general audience, Spike unveils an ambitious scripted development slate featuring five high-profile projects from some of the industry’s most accomplished producers. The projects in development, if greenlit, would each be a special-event series.

The acclaimed producers attached to the projects include Emmy Award®-winner Tom Fontana (“Homicide: Life on the Street,” “Oz,” “St. Elsewhere”), WGA Award-winner Chris Collins (“Sons of Anarchy,” “The Wire”), Emmy®-nominated Leslie Greif (“Hatfield and McCoys,” “Walker Texas Ranger,”), Rock God and multi-hyphenate Gene Simmons (KISS), Academy Award®-winner Bobby Moresco (“Crash”), Emmy Award®-winners Jonathan Koch and Steve Michaels (“The Kennedys”), Emmy Award®-winner Craig Piligian (“Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy,” “Abducted: The Carlina White Story”), and BAFTA-winners Dimitri Doganis and Bart Layton (“The Imposter”).

“Our move into scripted special-event series is a major step in the evolution of the brand that now reaches a more balanced audience,” said Sharon Levy, Executive Vice President, Original Series, Spike TV. “Each project features our development’s mission to thrill, inspire, and entertain the viewer. We also see this as a stepping stone to developing original scripted dramatic series.”

Levy will oversee the scripted projects for the network. Spike’s last foray into scripted event series was “The Kill Point,” in July 2007.  The event series in development include the following:

HIT MEN

From Leslie Greif (“Hatfields & McCoy’s”), Chris Collins (“Sons of Anarchy”) and Rock God and multi-hyphenate Gene Simmons (KISS), comes “Hit Men,” a thrilling look into the untold story of how the mafia took control of the music industry of the 1970’s.  From rising artists to radio stations to record labels, the impact organized crime had on all facets of the music business in this era was all-consuming and changed the music world forever.  The event series will be produced by Thinkfactory Media.

WHITEY BULGER PROJECT

Written by Academy Award®-winning writer, Bobby Moresco (“Crash”) and produced by Jonathan Koch and Steve Michaels of Asylum Entertainment (“The Kennedys”), this movie event chronicles the raw and unfiltered rise and fall of Whitey Bulger, one of America’s most notorious criminals.  This four-hour epic delves deep into the life of Boston’s most infamous organized crime leader, who ruled New England’s criminal underworld with an iron fist for decades.   Bulger’s larger-than-life story takes us from his days as a low-level street thug to FBI informant, to mob boss bent on undermining the competition, to the FBI’s most wanted list, and fugitive on the lam for sixteen years

THE LAMP

In the 1970’s, the United States military set up some very unorthodox and secretive departments to research a wide range of areas from telekinesis to ambient noise to body language. Among these included the Research and Acquisitions Department, designed to covertly find and acquire all artifacts mentioned in religious and mythological texts to determine if any of them truly claimed magical powers. The search came up empty until they came across the legendary Aladdin’s Lamp. The project comes to Spike from the Levinson / Fontana Company with Brant Englestein (“Borgia”) as writer.

UNTITLED BENGHAZI PROJECT

This project lifts the curtain on the untold behind-the-scenes story of the 2012 terrorist attack on the American diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya. Based on declassified documents and testimonials from those who were on the ground, this miniseries will shed light on the actual events surrounding the tragic deaths of four Americans, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, and the heroic actions of CIA operatives that saved dozen of American lives. The untitled Benghazi project comes to Spike from Pilgrim Studios and Emmy Award®-winner Craig Piligian (“Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy,” “The Ultimate Fighter”) who is executive-producing, along with Pilgrim Studios’ Beth Miller.

iHUMAN

The stories of how technological innovation is transforming the human condition will be at the center of a series of films from Raw TV, the BAFTA-Award winning team behind the critically-acclaimed film, “The Imposter.”  As technology becomes such an integral part of our lives and our most personal information becomes captured in a “cloud,” how does this affect human interaction?  From the comfort of a laptop, we are now able to do everything from cheating on our spouses, to sending SWAT teams to celebrities’ homes, to bringing about revolution or crashing financial markets. The connections in the digital age are actually resulting in a disconnection from humanity and this film series will explore this in a way never before seen on television. Raw TV’s credits also include “Gold Rush,” “Locked Up Abroad,” and “Paranormal Witness.”

*All working titles

About Spike

Spike 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’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike’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.

# # #

Press Contacts:

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

New York, NY – April 16, 2013 – Spike TV announces its boldest non-scripted development slate yet featuring authentic, dynamic and confident personalities including Graham Elliot and Adam Carolla.  Building on the ratings success of “Bar Rescue,” “Ink Master” and “Tattoo Nightmares,” the aggressive slate aims at continuing the network’s mission to broaden its viewership to a more balanced, general audience.

Spike TV’s 2013 development slate features many of the leaders in the non-scripted genre, including Eyeworks USA, Shine America, Thinkfactory, THE Co., Stone & Co., Matador, and Left/Right Productions.

“Our 2013 development slate reflects Spike’s ongoing commitment to develop original programming that features big stakes and engaging personalities who are leading authorities in their respective fields,” said Sharon Levy, Executive Vice President, Original Series, Spike TV.  “We’re partnering with some of the most innovative and creative producers in non-scripted entertainment to produce series that further our goal of widening our audience.”

TO CATCH A CONTRACTOR

Adam Carolla is not just a renowned television, radio, and internet personality with one of the most-downloaded podcasts in the world, he is also a passionate, knowledgeable construction expert.  In this pilot, Carolla serves as a vigilant watchdog to homeowners or businesses who have been cheated by a contractor and left with an unfinished disaster.  Carolla, along with no-nonsense contractor Skip Bedell, hunts down the shoddy builder and gets retribution for the owner by making them fix the disaster and finish the job.  Eyeworks USA created the pilot for Spike TV.  Executive Producers for Eyeworks USA are JD Roth, Todd A. Nelson, DJ Nurre, Brant Pinvidic, and Kevin Harris.

COVERT KITCHENS

Graham Elliot, award-winning chef, restaurateur and acclaimed judge on hit series “MasterChef,” gives viewers an exclusive invitation into the underground restaurant world in “Covert Kitchens.”  Now a fixture all across America, these one-night-only culinary events are put on by some of the world’s top chefs in alleyways, train cars, and even tattoo parlors.  It all has to come together in one day—the food, the setting and the service.  Can they pull it off?  Find out on “Covert Kitchens,” a pilot from Shine America, the studio behind such popular series as “MasterChef” and “The Biggest Loser.”

BIZ BROKERS

The buying and selling of businesses is a high stakes game where fortunes can be made and lost in mere moments.  Business brokers act as the shrewd and astute middlemen behind these high-pressure deals and reap a percentage on the sale of companies they represent.  In this Spike pilot, an aspiring small business owner is presented with three companies that are up for sale.  With the guidance of a seasoned business broker, the fledgling business owner decides which company to purchase.  Several months later, the show follows up to find out whether the small business owner succeeded in making their dream purchase into a moneymaker.  “Biz Brokers” comes to Spike TV from The T Group.

FRANKENFOOD

Superstar chef, Eric Greenspan, is going across the country to create culinary history by finding Americans with the most incredible and unique food creations.  In each episode, the top food innovators will go head-to-head in order to get their mouthwatering, unexpected food combinations onto the menu of a restaurant, win a cash prize, and possibly create the next big food craze.  Greenspan is the chef and owner of The Foundry and The Roof on Wilshire, and once defeated the legendary Bobby Flay on the television series “Iron Chef America.”  Sharp Entertainment brought the presentation to Spike TV.

AUTO BODY AVENGERS

With over 200 million registered vehicles in the United States, it’s no surprise that auto repair shops are a booming business.  Unfortunately, you don’t always get what you pay for.  While the majority of auto body shops are fair and honest businesses, there are unscrupulous ones who seek to rip off unrespecting car owners by charging them for unnecessary or shoddy repairs.  In “Autobody Avengers,” a team of operatives go undercover to spotlight the garages suspected of fraud.  Matador produced the presentation.

PROPERTY MONSTROSITY

It seems every neighborhood has a property monstrosity which is in such disarray that it’s diminishing the value of all of the houses on the block.  In this Spike TV original pilot, a concerned group of neighbors joins forces to confront their negligent neighbor.  The exasperated group sternly offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to renovate and fix the disastrous house as long as the neighbor-from-hell moves out and leaves the renovation in the hands of the concerned neighbors.  The pilot is produced by Thinkfactory Media, the driving force behind the Emmy® and Golden Globe®-nominated hit mini-series “Hatfields & McCoys.” 

REPOSA JUSTICE

Outrageous criminal defense attorney Adam Reposa is a powerful voice for the underdog and a dedicated champion for justice who loves taking the path of most resistance as he defends “the least among us.”  Based in Austin, TX, Adam takes on shady salesmen, nasty neighbors, lousy landlords, and anyone else who stands in the way of “Reposa Justice.”  The show comes to Spike TV from Left/Right and Watson Pond Productions.

TAKE THIS JOB AND LOVE IT

Job applicants unwittingly compete for a full-time position as hidden cameras capture their reactions to being put through extreme on-the-job tests designed to find the perfect hire.  The applicant who handles the situation best under pressure, judged by a hiring expert and the business owner, is given the chance to fill a lucrative position within the company.  The pilot is being produced for Spike by Scott Stone, Ross McCall, and Stone & Company.

WE’RE THE BOSS

Can you imagine having the opportunity to choose your next boss?  In this workplace reality series, everyday employees across America will get to be in charge for one week.  By week’s end, the company will be changed – hopefully for the better.  The Hochberg Ebersol Company (THE Co.) created and is producing the pilot.  Justin W. Hochberg and Charlie Ebersol are Executive Producers.

HARD MONEY

This pilot takes viewers inside the fast-paced, high-stakes world of hard money lending, a practice that is, in essence, legal loan-sharking.  These hard money lenders offer short-term loans at steep interest rates guaranteed by significant collateral.  If the loans default, they collect collateral worth many times the amount of the loan itself.  This series follows three successful hard money lenders and documents their never-ending rollercoaster ride in the world of high financial desperation.  The lenders work individually but there is constant competition among them for the best loans.  “Hard Money” comes to Spike TV from Matador.

About Spike:

Spike 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’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike’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.

*all are working titles

# # #

Press Contacts:

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

“NEVER EVER DO THIS AT HOME” LAUNCHES ON SPIKE TV

TUESDAY, MAY 28

New Half-Hour Series Features Comical and Imaginative Stunts Using Items

Commonly Found in the Average Person’s Home

New York, NY, April 8, 2013 – Spike TV will launch “Never Ever Do This At Home” on Tuesday, May 28 at 11:00pm ET/PT, a new half-hour acquired series that blends science, danger, and comedy with madcap experiments testing the limits of what a house can withstand – and beyond.

The format for the 13-episode series, optioned and licensed to Discovery Canada and Bell Media by Toronto-based Insight Production Company Ltd., and produced by Insight, is based on an original series devised by NRK and distributed by DRG.

“Never Ever Do This At Home” is hosted by Teddy Wilson, current co-host of the daily Canadian entertainment talk show, “InnerSPACE,” and award-winning comedian Norm Sousa (“The Sketchersons”). In each episode, Wilson and Sousa precariously mix, ignite, flood, explode, and otherwise wreak havoc on the contents of a charming farmhouse – no appliance or fixture is safe in their hands, not even the house itself.

In this unsuspecting house, the two dangerously unqualified hosts perform a series of compelling and volatile experiments – with side-splitting results. Their haphazard trials reveal the legitimate physics and chemistry behind the cause and effect of their experiments – and outrageous consequences ensue when their curiosity overrides caution.

“The combination of science, information, and humor will resonate with our ever-broadening audience,” said Tom Zappala, Executive Vice President, Programming and Scheduling, Spike TV.

“The instant we first saw this format we knew it was a winner,” said Jane Rimer, International Creative and Business Development at Insight. “We’re excited to pioneer the first English-language version. “This irresistible show has wide-ranging appeal for North American audiences and we know Spike TV viewers will have as much fun watching it as we did making it.”

Patrick Roberts, SVP International Sales at DRG who brokered the deal, adds: “Never Ever Do This At Home is a format that originated on NRK in Norway, which Insight and Discovery Canada then developed for an English-language audience. Now, together we have taken it to the U.S. with Spike. It is a real global success story and we are excited to be continuing the sale of the original format and launching this finished program to buyers at MIPTV.”

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.

About DRG:

DRG is one of the leading independent distributors of content in the world, representing a host of internationally recognized production companies across a number of genres including factual, formats and drama. It is proudly and strongly independent, but has a number of strategic partnerships with broadcasters and producers of high-quality programming.

Backed by IMAC Ingenious Media Active Capital Group and with headquarters in London, the company has a strong creative track record with the ability to fund and enable early stage project development. DRG works with the widest range of clients, from independent producers to international TV networks, from web developers to ISPs and social networks and from individual talent to media agencies and global brands.

DRG are experienced in managing and exploiting rights across multiple platforms; broadcast, digital, interactive and merchandise.

About Insight Productions

Lindsay Cox serves as Supervising Producer of “Never Ever Do This At Home” for Insight Productions. Insight Production Company Ltd, headed by John Brunton & Barbara Bowlby has become an industry leader in the creative development, financing and production of highly rated television programs and cutting edge multiplatform content for the global market in every genre. Since 1979, it has been recognized for its reputation for quality as the recipient of numerous international awards, including multiple Gemini’s. The company has created thousands of hours of groundbreaking television that continues to be broadcast over major networks worldwide. Broadcast Magazine International claims that “when it comes to adapting formats for Canadian audiences there is one producer who appears to have the Midas touch.” Recent hits include THE JUNO AWARDS, which plays a key role in the Canadian music industry, TOP CHEF CANADA, INTERVENTION CANADA, CANADIAN IDOL, CANADA’S GOT TALENT and Insight’s original formats CANADA SINGS & BATTLE OF THE BLADES.  Insight is currently in production on the Canadian versions of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA and BIG BROTHER CANADA.

Press Contacts:

Spike TV

David Schwarz

212-767-8639

david.schwarz@mtvstaff.com

Insight Productions

Cary Mignault

416-435-9295

cmignault@insighttv.com

DRG

Harriet Lammie

207-307-1951

harriet.lammie@championcomms.com

CRISS ANGEL IS COMING TO SPIKE –

BIGGER, BADDER, AND BETTER THAN EVER

New Original Series Gives Viewers Unprecedented Access to the Design and Execution of Never-Before-Seen Death-Defying Stunts and Apparent Supernatural Abilities

New York, NY, January 29, 2013 – Criss Angel sets out to confirm he’s the greatest magician of all time in Spike’s new original series (title to be announced shortly).  Criss has been revolutionizing the art of magic for more than a decade, but in this series, Criss takes his illusions and demonstrations to the next level, with an entirely new look and feel.   Each week, Angel will attempt bold and audacious demonstrations never attempted by any mystifier in history.  For the first time ever in any magic programming, Criss will reveal the creative process beyond the magic as he lets the audience behind closed doors into the creative “think tank” where his team brainstorms, debates and prepares the most spectacular illusions in history.  This unprecedented access will demonstrate the methods and secrets that go into designing, building and executing these incredible feats. 

Viewers will also get a glimpse into Angel’s dangerous and mysterious life along with a host of new and intriguing characters and celebrity guests.

The episodes will be themed and focus on mind-blowing magic, the supernatural, death-defying escapes, and astonishing physical stunts that will challenge the very laws of nature. Spike has ordered 11 one-hour episodes of the series, which goes into production this spring in Las Vegas and locations across the country. The show is executive produced and directed by Criss Angel for APWI, Inc., David Baram and Erich Recker for LBI Entertainment and is slated to premiere this fall on Spike. The deal was brokered by Scott Lonker and Eric Wattenberg of CAA, who represent Angel.

“Spike is thrilled to be able to showcase the amazing talents of Criss Angel, a perfect fit for our evolving adult brand.  Criss has grown immeasurably as an artist and we are excited to give our viewers never-before granted access into the inner workings of his secret world and his mind,” said Sharon Levy, Executive Vice President, original series, Spike TV.

For over a decade, Criss Angel has dominated the world of magic as the biggest name on the planet. His visionary approach to the art escapes the confines of tradition and has given birth to a new breed of modern mysticism. Oprah Winfrey hailed, “Criss is the best, the best, THE BEST!”

From his role as star, creator, Executive Producer and Director of his hugely successful A&E television series “Criss Angel MINDFREAK,” to his number one best-selling live magic show in the world - “Criss Angel BeLIEve” at the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas – and star of and creator of countless television specials, books, music CD’s and more, Angel has redefined the term “magician” for the 21st Century.

Criss is also the most watched magician in TV/Internet history combined. His “Walk on Water” clip has generated over 46 million YouTube views alone, and all of his clips collectively have generated over 200 million views. He was named Magician of the Century by his peers.

For additional information and future updates on the new series, fans can visit crissangel.spike.com.

Chris Rantamaki is Vice President of Original Programming for Spike and is executive in charge of production of the project.

About Spike:

Spike 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’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike’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.

# # # 

Press Contacts:  

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

Debra Fazio                 Spike            212-767-8649              debra.fazio@mtvstaff.com