SPIKE TV MAKES “FULL CONTACT THURSDAY” MUST SEE TV
New Block of Hard-Hitting Action Featuring “The Ultimate Fighter 3,”
“UFC Unleashed,” and “TNA: iMPACT!” Launches April 13 (9:00pm-Midnight)
New York, NY – March 20, 2006 – There are no “Friends.” No “Frasiers.” And certainly no “Joeys” on Spike TV’s “Full Contact Thursdays.” Instead, Spike TV has created the only must-see TV block for guys with the new season of The Ultimate Fighter 3, UFC Unleashed, and TNA: iMPACT! premiering Thursday, April 13 (9:00pm-Midnight ET/PT).
“We are putting two of the hottest brands together in one block that will surely be a destination for guys, said Kevin Kay, General Manager, Spike TV. “The UFC has solidified its place as guys’ new favorite sport with ratings routinely surmounting the more traditional sports. The perfect anchor for the night is TNA: iMPACT, a high action show for real wrestling fans that has tremendous potential in primetime where guys are looking for programming just for them”
The Ultimate Fighter is among cable’s top performers in drawing the hard-to-reach Men 18-34 demographic. Last fall, season 2 of The Ultimate Fighter drew a 2.7 rating with Men 18-34 out-performing such sports properties as the NBA on ESPN and TNT (Tues., Wed., and Thurs), ESPN’s Saturday Night ACC Football; and ESPN’s “World Series of Poker” (Tues).*
TNA iMPACT has been a ratings winner on Saturday nights in key male targets. Versus ratings from a year ago, TNA: iMPACT is up +54% in HH, +97% in M18-49, +153% in M18-34 and +65% in average audience.
9:00-10:00pm
UFC Unleashed
Spike TV presents the greatest fights in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championshipâ¾Ã‚¢ featuring the biggest names in the sport including Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, Tank Abbott, Royce Gracie, Tito Ortiz, Ken Shamrock, Matt Hughes, Rich Franklin, and Andrei Arlovski.
10:00-11:00pm
The Ultimate Fighter 3
Sixteen of the best up-and-coming mixed martial artists from around the world have convened in Las Vegas in pursuit of one goal — to be named the “ULTIMATE FIGHTER” and to be given a contract in the Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization. The third season of Spike TV’s highly successful reality series, The Ultimate Fighter features UFC legends and bitter rivals Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock as coaches. UFC President Dana White serves as host.
*PLEASE NOTE – The ULTIMATE FIGHTER 3 premieres on APRIL 6 at 10pm ET/PT.
11:00pm-Midnight
TNA iMPACT!
The new wrestling alternative, “TNA: iMPACT!” delivers a distinct brand of high-risk, athletic entertainment. Viewers are drawn in by TNA’s philosophy of less talk and more action and the technically advance six-sided ring. TNA’s roster integrates well-known wrestling superstars like Sting, Christian Cage, Jeff Jarrett, and Team 3D with the world’s best up-and-coming talent, such as AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe, and Monty Brown.
Spike TV, the first network for men, is available in 88 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc.
