Extreme Sports Channel nabs TNA events
Friday, February 26 2010, 12:10 GMT
By Andrew Laughlin,
The Extreme Sports Channel has agreed a deal with Total Nonstop Action (TNA) to broadcast its monthly wrestling events and programming in the UK.
Under the deal, TNA's exclusive pay-per-view wrestling bouts will air on the Extreme Sports Channel every Friday at 10pm, beginning with Destination X on March 26.
The arrangement also means that TNA Xplosion - an hour-long highlights programme featuring wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan, Mick Foley and Kurt Angle - will be broadcast on the channel every Friday at 9pm.
Owned by Chello Zone, the Extreme Sports Channel is available on Sky position 419 and Virgin Media position 527.
"The United Kingdom has become a battleground for professional wrestling fans as TNA's ratings have continued to climb," said TNA president Dixie Carter.
"This is another important moment for TNA and is another step to become the number one professional wrestling company in the world by giving our fans what they want; more TNA programming."
Extreme Sports Channel general manager Tim MacMullen added: "2010 is shaping up to be an amazing year for our viewers in the UK.
"Adding TNA's spectacular programming to our lineup of the world's best action sports and high-adrenalin entertainment shows is a great way to kick off our 11th year on air."
Last month, TNA renewed its deal with Bravo to continue transmission of TNA iMPACT! at 9pm every Saturday. In total, TNA now broadcasts 15 hours of wrestling programmes every month on all channels in the UK.