Spike TV Will Rebrand as Paramount Network; Bellator Will Remain A Core Program On Network (for now)

On Wednesday, The Hollywood Reporter published a story claiming Spike TV would be rebranding as the Paramount Network with the change to take place as early as 2018. According to an internal memo obtained by MMA Fighting, and authored by current Spike TV President Kevin Kay, that’s precisely what they plan to do.

“The time is right for THE PARAMOUNT NETWORK,” Kay says in his memo. “The big news for all of us today is that Spike will re-brand as The Paramount Network over the next year – with a tentative launch scheduled for early 2018.”

While Kay doesn’t highlight individual programs or entities by name, the memo suggests much of the current programming will remain in place. Additionally, sources tell MMA Fighting that Bellator will be as much of a priority in Paramount as it has been under Spike.

“The Paramount Network will take Spike’s already strong programming mix and amplify it with the Paramount brand. Its focus will be on building distinctive, high-quality scripted and non-scripted original programming – with dramas, comedies, documentaries, movies, sports and tentpole events. It will also incorporate third-party programming, as well as films from other studio’s libraries.”

Additional media reports suggest the re-branding of Spike is part of a larger effort by parent company Viacom to prioritize six brands in the portfolio: MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, BET and Paramount. Paramount could also obtain programming from other networks in an effort to make it a larger player in entertainment television.

Spike began carrying UFC programming in 2005 with the launch of The Ultimate Fighter reality show and Ultimate Fight Night live events broadcasts.

In 2011, the UFC left the network for FOX Sports, leaving Spike to purchase and ultimately bring the Bellator MMA brand over in 2013. Bellator currently runs more than 20 live events annually on Spike.

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Color me skeptical, but I don't see Bellator staying on the new Paramount Network for too much longer.  I think it will go under a massive format change.  However, I don't think they will drop Bellator.  I think they will move them to a bigger channel under the VIACOM umbrella.  But that's just me

Thoughts?

* Edited at 02.09.2017, 3:04 PM ET *