Viacom (VIMN) is launching Spike in the Netherlands on October 1.
The new channel will initially launch as a branded block on Nickelodeon in the 21.00 – 2.00 time slot, thus gaining immediate access to all Dutch distribution platforms including Ziggo and KPN.
Viacom International Media Networks currently broadcasts Teen Nick programming in this time slot.
In January 2016, Viacom plans to launch an on-demand platform for Spike.
Viacom currently has a number of brands available in the Netherlands, including MTV, VH-1, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. Paramount Channel is not available in the country.
Spike TV was launched in the US early 2003, marketed as the first television channel for men. In early 2006, Spike removed the word “TV” from its name, referring to itself as Spike.
Much of Spike’s lineup in the US consists of entertainment programming oriented towards the demographic of males aged 18 to 49, including original series and occasional broadcasts of feature films. Spike also airs combat sporting events.
Spike made its European debut in the UK in April 2015, and primarily airs entertainment programming geared towards a male audience, including import dramas, programming from its US counterpart, and mixed martial arts.
Just this week, Spike has ordered ten episodes of Harvest, a new drama TV show from Jerry Bruckheimer and Warner Horizon Television. It’s the first original scripted drama series on the cable channel in nine years and will air in the US in 2016.
