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Spike TV Acquires Off-Net ‘Shield’ Rights

Jul 18, 2005  •  Post A Comment

Spike TV has acquired the off-network cable rights to FX’s police drama “The Shield,” the network announced Monday.

Spike purchased the rights to the series, which recently completed its fourth season, from Sony Pictures Television. Spike will air the show weekly starting next March.

“We’re aggressively seeking out quality programming that will complement our male branded strategy,” says Robert Friedman, senior VP of programming for Spike TV.

Spike has enjoyed a significant ratings boost due to the acquisition of another investigative drama, “CSI.”

“The Shield,” which won a Golden Globe for best dramatic series in 2003, was the first basic cable series to win the award.