Spike TV Going HD in 2008

By David Lott, Special to TelevisionWeek

Spike TV said it plans to launch a high-definition channel next year.

The MTV Networks-owned company that caters to young adult males will debut the HD simulcast of Spike TV in the first quarter of 2008, said David Schwarz, a company spokesman.

The high-def channel, which will be carried by DirecTV, will not feature any original programming. Current Spike TV shows include “Muscle Car,” the drama “The Kill Point” and the reality series “Murder.”

In the first quarter, some of the channel’s programs, such as the reality game show “Pros vs. Joes” and the pro wrestling series “TNA Impact!,” will be shot in high-def, with the remainder upconverted to HD. By the second quarter, Spike expects nearly all of its original programs to be shot in HD.

Spike TV and the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization agreed to a two-year extension of their strategic partnership in March 2006, which includes new seasons of the reality series “The Ultimate Fighter,” “Ultimate Fight Night Live” fight cards and episodes of “UFC Unleashed.”

“We know that our demographic—men 18 to 49—are guys who are interested in technology and would love to see UFC fights in high definition,” Mr. Schwarz said. “We want to bring that to them.”

Spike TV’s move to high-def likely will provide a bit of competition for male-oriented offerings from up-and-comer HD network Mojo, including gambling-focused show “I Bet You” and the international drinking tour program “Three Sheets.” Mojo, which is owned by Comcast iN Demand Holdings, Cox Communications and the Time Warner Entertainment–Advance/Newhouse partnership, has announced a crop of new shows debuting before the end of the year.