5Spike was a British

free-to-air television Free-to-air (FTA) services are television (TV) and radio services broadcast in unencrypted form, allowing any person with the FTA receiver, appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring ...

channel owned by

ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia Paramount Networks UK & Australia, formerly ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia, is a division of Paramount Global launched on 14 January 2020. It is based in London, England, with a local office in Sydney, Australia. Units See also * Plut ...

. Launching on 15 April 2015 on

Freeview Freeview may refer to: *Freeview (Australia), the marketing name for the digital terrestrial television platform in Australia *Freeview (New Zealand), a digital satellite and digital terrestrial television platform in New Zealand *Freeview (UK), a ...

as just Spike, it was a localised version of the American cable channel

Spike Spike, spikes, or spiking may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Books * ''The Spike'' (novel), a novel by Arnaud de Borchgrave * ''The Spike'' (Broderick book), a nonfiction book by Damien Broderick * ''The Spike'', a starship in Peter ...

(now Paramount Network), and became a multiplex channel of Channel 5 in 2017 when it renamed as 5Spike. It primarily aired entertainment programmes, including action and drama series, police documentaries, and programming from its American counterpart, as well as

mixed martial arts Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting combat sport, sport based on strike (attack), striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-s ...

. On 7 January 2020, the network was discontinued, with

Paramount Network Paramount Network is an American basic cable television channel and the flagship property of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global, who operates it through the MTV Entertainment Group. The network's headquarters are located a ...

assuming its channel placements and programming.

History

Following

Viacom Viacom, an abbreviation of Video and Audio Communications, may refer to: * Viacom (1952–2005), a former American media conglomerate * Viacom (2005–2019), a former company spun off from the original Viacom * Viacom18, a joint venture between Pa ...

's acquisition of Channel 5, it was reported that a local version of the male-skewing American channel

would be launching in the United Kingdom. These reports were confirmed in late 2014, with the channel proposed to replace

Viva Viva may refer to: Companies and organisations * Viva (network operator), a Dominican mobile network operator * Viva Energy, an Australian petroleum company * Viva Entertainment, a Philippine media company * Viva Films, a Philippine film company ...

. The channel was operated under the auspices of Channel 5's programming director Ben Frow; of Spike's lineup, he described the service as a "driven, high-energy channel offering a point of view and program mix I think is different from anything else on British TV right now." Spike logo 2015

Spike launched on 15 April 2015 on Freeview channel 31, displacing

5USA 5USA is a British free-to-air television channel owned by Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Paramount Global, which is grouped under Paramount Networks UK & Australia division. It was launched on 16 October 2006 as ...

; although it was originally announced that Spike would replace Viva entirely on Freeview, Viva was instead moved to a different channel and reduced to two hours per day to conserve bandwidth for Spike, with 5USA taking on its previous channel allotment. Among its first programmes, the premiere of ''Police Interceptors Unleashed'' was seen by 137,000 viewers. On 31 October 2017, Spike was rebranded as 5Spike to more closely associate itself with its sister channels and the Channel 5 brand. A British version of Spike's successor in the US,

, was launched on 4 July 2018. On 7 January 2020, 5Spike was merged with Paramount Network.

Programming

The channel's lineup drew primarily from the original programmes produced by its U.S counterpart, including '' Catch a Contractor'' and ''

Lip Sync Battle ''Lip Sync Battle'' is an American musical reality competition television series that premiered on April 2, 2015, on the American cable network Spike, later known as Paramount Network. The show is based on an idea by Stephen Merchant and John ...

'' among others. The channel also aired imported U.S

dramas Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a genre of poetry in general, the dramatic mode has been c ...

, from modern dramas such as ''

Breaking Bad ''Breaking Bad'' is an American crime drama television series created and produced by Vince Gilligan for AMC (TV channel), AMC. Set and filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the series follows Walter White (Breaking Bad), Walter White (Bryan Cran ...

'' (notably marking the first time the entire series would be broadcast by British television; only the first two seasons were shown by

Fox Foxes are small-to-medium-sized omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull; upright, triangular ears; a pointed, slightly upturned snout; and a long, bushy tail ("brush"). Twelve species ...

and

5 USA 5USA is a British free-to-air television channel owned by Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Paramount Global, which is grouped under Paramount Networks UK & Australia division. It was launched on 16 October 2006 as F ...

, with the remainder available via

Netflix Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...

), ''

Sons of Anarchy ''Sons of Anarchy'' is an American Action film, action crime drama television series created by Kurt Sutter for FX (TV channel), FX. Originally aired from September 3, 2008, to December 9, 2014, ''Sons of Anarchy'' follows the lives of a close-k ...

'', '' Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles'' and '' The Walking Dead'', to classic shows such as ''

The X-Files ''The X-Files'' is an American science fiction on television, science fiction drama (film and television), drama television series created by Chris Carter (screenwriter), Chris Carter. The original series aired from September 10, 1993, to Ma ...

'', ''

The A-Team ''The A-Team'' is an American Action television, action television series that ran on NBC from January 23, 1983, to March 8, 1987, about a fictional team of former United States Army Special Forces who work as mercenaries while on the run from ...

'' and ''

Knight Rider ''Knight Rider'' is an American media franchise, entertainment franchise created by Glen A. Larson. The core of ''Knight Rider'' is its three-television series: the original ''Knight Rider (1982 TV series), Knight Rider'' (1982–1986) and sequ ...

''. Spike also carried original British productions, such as ''Police Interceptors Unleashed'' (a spin-off of the Channel 5 series), and repeats of some of Channel 5's factual programmes. As in the U.S, mixed-martial arts also comprised a portion of Spike's lineup, with British TV rights to

Bellator MMA Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) was an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 by Bjorn Rebney and operated until 2025. The promotion takes its name from ''wikt:bellator, bellātor ...

and, under a long-term deal, exclusive rights to

BAMMA BAMMA (British Association of Mixed Martial Arts) was a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United Kingdom. It premiered on June 27, 2009, and was shown on the television channel Bravo. BAMMA events were shown live on ITV4 in the UK and I ...

events beginning with BAMMA 20 on 25 April 2015.

Original programming

*''

'' *''Car Crash TV'' *''Criminals: Caught on Camera'' (also known as ''Caught on Camera'') *''Fights, Camera, Action'' *''Outrageous Stunts'' (also known as ''Stunt Science'') *''Police Interceptors Takedown'' *''Police Interceptors Unleashed'' *''Seconds From Death: Caught on Camera'' (also known as ''The World's Deadliest...'') *''Sewermen'' *''Tattoo Disasters UK'' *''Trucking Hell'' *''Ultimate Boxxer'' *''Under Attack'' *''World's Deadliest Weather: Caught on Camera'' (also known as ''The World's Deadliest Weather'') *''World's Wildest Flights''

From Spike US

*''

Bar Rescue ''Bar Rescue'' is an American reality television series that airs on Paramount Network (formerly Spike during the first five seasons). It stars Jon Taffer, a long-time food and beverage industry consultant specializing in nightclubs, bars and p ...

'' *''

'' *''Caraoke Showdown'' *'' Catch a Contractor'' *'' Cops'' *''Framework'' *''Frankenfood'' *''Hungry Investors'' (renamed as ''Restaurant Rescue'') *''Life or Debt'' *''

'' *''Sweat Inc.''

From Channel 5

* ''Bad Tenants, Rogue Landlords'' * ''Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild'' * '' Can't Pay? We'll Take It Away'' * ''Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railways'' * ''Cowboy Builders'' * '' Eddie Stobart: Trucks & Trailers'' * ''

The Gadget Show ''The Gadget Show'' is a British television series which focuses on consumer technology. The show, which was broadcast on Channel 5, is presented by Ortis Deley, with reports from Georgie Barrat and Jon Bentley. Originally a thirty-minute ...

'' * ''It Takes A Thief To Catch A Thief'' * ''Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords'' * ''

Police Interceptors ''Police Interceptors'' is a British factual programme that profiles the work of elite police units from across the UK. There have to date been 23 series, following police units from Essex, South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Cumbria, Lincolnshire, Du ...

'' * '' Robson's Extreme Fishing Challenge'' * ''

Traffic Cops ''Traffic Cops'' is a British documentary series broadcast on Channel 5, following Roads Policing Units from various UK police forces. It has consistently been one of the most watched factual series on UK television. The series is currentl ...

'' * ''

UK's Strongest Man The United Kingdom Strength Council was founded by Glenn Ross, the famed strongman and also founder and promoter of the Irish Strength Association. The UKSC, as it is commonly termed, was promoted by Bob Daglish's Elite Strongman Promotions until ...

'' * ''Weather Terror'' * ''Winter Road Rescue'' * ''World's Scariest...'' * ''

World's Strongest Man The World's Strongest Man is an international strongman competition held every year. Organized by American event management company IMG, a subsidiary of Endeavor, it is broadcast in the US during summers and in the UK around the end of Decemb ...

Imported

*'' 19-2'' *''

60 Days In ''60 Days In'' is a reality television series on A&E in which volunteers are incarcerated as undercover prisoners for 60 days. Internationally, it is known as ''The Jail: 60 Days In'' and airs in over 100 other countries. The show premiered ...

'' (renamed as ''60 Days In Jail'') *''Airport Security: Peru'' *''

Airwolf ''Airwolf'' is an American action military drama television series. It centers on a high-technology attack helicopter, code-named '' Airwolf'', and its crew. They undertake various exotic missions, many involving espionage, with a Cold War the ...

'' *''Animal Fight Club'' *''

'' *''

BattleBots ''BattleBots'' is an American robot combat television series and company. The show is an adaptation of the American Robot Wars competitions hosted in the mid–late 1990s by Marc Thorpe, in which competitors design and operate remote-controlled ...

'' *'' Black Sails'' *''Boy to Man'' (renamed as ''Wildman: Extreme Adventurer'') *''Behind Bars: The World's Toughest Prisons'' (renamed as ''World's Toughest Prisons'') *''

'' (some seasons previously shown on Channel 5/5 USA) *''

Cimarron Strip ''Cimarron Strip'' is an American Western television series starring Stuart Whitman as Marshal Jim Crown. The series was produced by the creators of ''Gunsmoke'' and aired on CBS from September 1967 to March 1968. Reruns of the original show w ...

'' (renamed as ''The Cimarron Strip'') *''Fail Army'' *''Fugitive Black Ops'' (renamed as ''Manhunt: Kill or Capture'') *'' From Dusk till Dawn: The Series'' *''

Gangland Undercover ''Gangland Undercover'' is a Canadian-American fact-based drama television series written and created by executive producer Stephen Kemp and co-writer Noel Baker. It was inspired by the story of Charles Falco a former ATF confidential informant ...

'' *''

Helix A helix (; ) is a shape like a cylindrical coil spring or the thread of a machine screw. It is a type of smooth space curve with tangent lines at a constant angle to a fixed axis. Helices are important in biology, as the DNA molecule is for ...

'' *''High Alert'' (renamed as ''High Alert: Policing the Streets'') *''

Impact Wrestling Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (abbreviated as TNA Wrestling or TNA) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, a Canadian media company owned by busine ...

'' *'' Justified'' *'' Klondike'' *''

'' *''

Lockdown A lockdown () is a restriction policy for people, community or a country to stay where they are, usually due to specific risks that could possibly harm the people if they move and interact freely. The term is used for a prison protocol that us ...

'' (renamed as ''America's Toughest Prisons'') *''

Megastructures A megastructure (or macrostructure) is a very large artificial object, although the limits of precisely how large vary considerably. Some apply the term to any especially large or tall building. Some sources define a megastructure as an enorm ...

'' *''

Olympus Olympus or Olympos () may refer to: Mountains In antiquity Greece * Mount Olympus in Thessaly, northern Greece, the home of the twelve gods of Olympus in Greek mythology * Mount Olympus (Lesvos), located in Lesbos * Mount Olympus (Euboea) ...

'' *'' Powers'' *''

Running Wild with Bear Grylls ''Running Wild with Bear Grylls'' is a survival skills reality television series starring Bear Grylls. In each episode, Grylls brings a different celebrity along on his adventures. The crew consists of host Bear Grylls, a story producer, two ca ...

'' *''

Six 6 (six) is the natural number following 5 and preceding 7. It is a composite number and the smallest perfect number. In mathematics A six-sided polygon is a hexagon, one of the three regular polygons capable of tiling the plane. A hexagon a ...

'' *''

Spartacus Spartacus (; ) was a Thracians, Thracian gladiator (Thraex) who was one of the Slavery in ancient Rome, escaped slave leaders in the Third Servile War, a major Slave rebellion, slave uprising against the Roman Republic. Historical accounts o ...

'' *''

Street Hawk ''Street Hawk'' is an American action television series that aired for 14 episodes on American Broadcasting Company, ABC in 1985. The series is a Limekiln and Templar Production in association with Universal Television. Its central characters w ...

'' *''

Strongman Champions League The Strongman Champions League is a Strongman competition circuit, with several Grand Prix events throughout the year and the Strongman Champions League overall champion title going to the overall winner at the end of the season. Competitors in ...

'' *'' Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles'' *'' Transporter: The Series'' *'' The Walking Dead'' *''

Vikings Vikings were seafaring people originally from Scandinavia (present-day Denmark, Norway, and Sweden), who from the late 8th to the late 11th centuries raided, pirated, traded, and settled throughout parts of Europe.Roesdahl, pp. 9� ...

'' *'' The Virginian'' *''Weather Gone Viral'' (renamed as ''Extreme Weather: Caught on Camera'') *''Wild Catch'' (renamed as ''Chasing Monsters'') *''

Wynonna Earp Wynonna Earp is a horror Western comic book miniseries created and owned by Beau Smith. The series was initially published by Image Comics, and from 2003 by IDW Publishing. Plot summary Wynonna is a present-day descendant of the famous law ...

'' *''

Most watched programmes

The following is a list of the ten most watched shows on Spike, based on Live +7 data supplied by

BARB Barb or the BARBs or ''variation'' may refer to: People * Barb (name), a list of people and fictional characters with the given name or surname * Barb, a term used by fans of Nicki Minaj to refer to themselves * The Barbs, a band Places * Barb, ...

up to 17 March 2019.

, vi

/ref> The number of viewers does not include repeats or airings on 5Spike +1.

References

{{Freeview, state=collapsed 2015 establishments in the United Kingdom 2020 disestablishments in the United Kingdom Channel 5 (British TV channel) English-language television stations in the United Kingdom Television channels and stations established in 2015 Television channels and stations disestablished in 2020 Men's interest channels Defunct television channels in the United Kingdom