Editing Paramount Network (section)

=== Paramount Network (2018–present) ===
[[File:Paramount Network.svg|thumb|Paramount Network logo used from January 18, 2018 to February 24, 2024]]
[[File:Paramount Network wordmark (Black).svg|thumb|230px|Paramount Network logo without the mountain, used since January 18, 2018]]
On February 9, 2017, Viacom announced that Spike would relaunch as Paramount Network in 2018 and move its headquarters from the [[One Astor Plaza]] in [[New York City]] to [[Paramount Pictures]] in [[Los Angeles]] to give the network a closer association with the film studio. This was part of a restructuring plan by new Viacom CEO [[Robert Bakish|Bob Bakish]] to refocus the majority of its media business around six flagship brands, which included Paramount Pictures, [[BET]], [[Comedy Central]], [[Nickelodeon]], the [[Nick Jr. Channel]], and [[MTV]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/02/spike-the-paramount-network-renamed-viacom-rebranding-1201906611/|title=Spike President On Channel's Rebranding As The Paramount Network|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=February 10, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/02/spike-name-change-the-paramount-network-viacom-1201906039/|title=Spike To Change Name & Become The Paramount Network In Viacom Rebranding|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/02/viacom-ceo-bob-bakish-supports-paramount-non-core-networks-how-long-1201906682/|title=Viacom CEO Supports Paramount And Non-Core Networks – But For How Long?|last=Lieberman|first=David|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref> New original series announced in the first half of 2018 included the miniseries ''[[Waco (miniseries)|Waco]]'' and ''[[Yellowstone (American TV series)|Yellowstone]]'', along with ''[[American Woman (TV series)|American Woman]]'' and ''[[Heathers (TV series)|Heathers]]''—two comedies originally slated for [[TV Land]]. ''[[The Shannara Chronicles]]'', which moved to Spike for season 2 from MTV, was not renewed by Paramount Network.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/shannara-chronicles-canceled-as-paramount-network-passes-season-3-1075217|title='Shannara Chronicles' Canceled as Paramount Network Passes on Season 3|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=January 17, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/tv-land-paramount-network-heathers-american-woman-1202010496/|title=TV Land's 'Heathers' Reboot and 'American Woman' Moving to Launch Paramount Network|last1=Wagmeister|first1=Daniel|last2=Holloway|first2=Elizabeth|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=March 16, 2017|access-date=September 27, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/paramount-network-january-launch-date-live-lip-sync-battle-1202176283 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005524/http://deadline.com/2017/09/paramount-network-january-launch-date-live-lip-sync-battle-1202176283/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |title= Paramount Network Sets January Launch Date; Kicks Off with Live 'Lip Sync Battle' |last=Petski |first= Denise |website=Deadline Hollywood |date= September 25, 2017 |access-date= September 27, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/viacom-to-rebrand-spike-tv-paramount-television-1201981960/|title=Viacom to Rebrand Spike TV as Paramount Network|last1=Littleton|first1=Cynthia|last2=Holloway|first2=Daniel|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=February 8, 2017|access-date=February 8, 2017}}</ref>

Paramount Network is being positioned as a "premium" basic cable network, similar to [[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]] and [[FX (TV channel)|FX]].<ref name="indiewire-pn"/> Network president Kevin Kay explained that Bakish wanted Viacom to have a "flagship" outlet for scripted programming, as opposed to making inefficient investments into them across individual channels. He added that Paramount Network's offerings would be distinguished from its competitors by continuing to emphasize Middle America as a key viewer base. Even with its subsequent rebrandings, Paramount Network still had significant carriage strength and viewership in the [[U.S. Midwest|Midwest]] and [[U.S. South|South]] due to its heritage as TNN. Kay argued that its initial slate of original dramas were not as "dark,” citing the [[Yellowstone National Park|setting]] of ''Yellowstone'' as making it "brighter and a bit more blue sky than some of the things that are on premium cable TV now.”<ref name="indiewire-pn">{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/01/paramount-network-launch-spike-tv-waco-yellowstone-heathers-1201919082/|title=Paramount Network Will Take On FX and AMC By Rooting Itself In Middle America|last=Schneider|first=Michael|date=January 19, 2018|work=IndieWire|access-date=January 20, 2018}}</ref>

In regards to the programs moved to Paramount Network from TV Land, ''American Woman'' was moved to take advantage of its prominent leads [[Alicia Silverstone]] and [[Mena Suvari]], while ''Heathers'' was moved because, in Kay's opinion, the show was not appropriate for TV Land's target audience.<ref name="indiewire-pn" /> In June 2018, ''Heathers'' was dropped by Paramount Network and Viacom, citing network concerns over the content of the series in the wake of recent shootings in the United States, such as the [[Stoneman Douglas High School shooting]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/heathers-reboot-scrapped-at-paramount-network-anthology-will-be-shopped-1116439|title='Heathers' Scrapped at Paramount Network, Will be Shopped Elsewhere (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> The series would eventually air on Paramount Network in October 2018 in an edited form, with two episodes dropped due to the [[Pittsburgh synagogue shooting]].<ref name="ParamountReturn">{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title='Heathers': Shelved Reboot Series To Air On Paramount Network With Edits |url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/heathers-scrapped-reboot-series-to-air-on-paramount-network-with-edits-1202475793/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=October 4, 2018 |date=October 4, 2018}}</ref><ref name="EightNine">{{cite web|last1=Goldberg|first1=Lesley|title='Heathers' Episodes Pulled in Wake of Pittsburgh Shooting|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/heathers-episodes-pulled-wake-pittsburgh-shooting-1155958|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=October 30, 2018|date=October 29, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title='Heathers' Episodes Pulled Following Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting |url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/heathers-episodes-pulled-following-synagogue-shooting-pittsburgh-1202491469/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=October 30, 2018 |date=October 29, 2018}}</ref>

Paramount Network began a [[viral marketing]] campaign to promote its launch in December 2017. The campaign included a [[Times Square]] advertisement asking viewers to phone and email Paramount Network's chief marketing officer Niels Schuurmans to protest Spike's "firing,” as well as a string of [[self-deprecation|self-deprecating]] posts by the network's [[Twitter]] account about its history and programming (including that "My favorite number is 329 because it's the number of times ''[[Cops (TV program)|Cops]]'' is on every night,” "We had a show called ''[[The Joe Schmo Show]]''. Apparently every decent show name was taken", and that "There's a reason all our early shows were ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation|CSI]]'', [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]], [[Impact Wrestling|TNA]], ''[[Most Extreme Elimination Challenge|MXC]]'', [[Universal Technical Institute|UTI]]. No one around here knew how to read"). A network executive stated that the campaign was meant to represent a "public meltdown" by a fired employee.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Spike TV's Twitter account goes 'rogue,' profanely mocking channel's shows |work=EW.com |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/01/17/spike-tv-twitter-account/ |access-date=January 17, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Spike TV's Twitter Account Is Going Absolutely Bonkers Right Before the Channel Is Replaced by Paramount Network |work=Fortune |url=http://fortune.com/2018/01/17/spike-tv-twitter-paramount-network/ |access-date=January 17, 2018}}</ref>

The campaign concluded with a live streaming event on January 17, 2018, where users could vote on various ways a crew would deface a large model of the former Spike logo, culminating in its demolition.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.adweek.com/creativity/spike-tv-is-mad-as-hell-about-being-rebranded-as-paramount-network/|title=Spike TV Is Mad as Hell About Being Rebranded as Paramount Network|access-date=January 17, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://deadline.com/2018/01/spike-tv-send-off-facebook-logo-destruction-1202244951 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180117235741/http://deadline.com/2018/01/spike-tv-send-off-facebook-logo-destruction-1202244951/ |url-status= dead |archive-date= January 17, 2018 |title= Spike TV Logo Gets Explosive Send-Off On Facebook |last= Petski |first= Denise |date= January 17, 2018 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date= January 18, 2018}}</ref> Paramount Network officially launched the following night at 9:00&nbsp;p.m. ET, marked by a live, [[Michael Jackson]]-themed ''Lip Sync Battle'' special from the [[Dolby Theatre]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |title='Lip Sync Battle LIVE' announces first three celebrities for Michael Jackson celebration |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/01/10/lip-sync-battle-harris-henson-steinfeld-michael-jackson-celebration/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=January 18, 2018}}</ref>

In April 2019, Viacom would revive the Spike branding as channels for its [[free ad-supported streaming television]] (FAST) platform [[Pluto TV]], including a Spike channel mainly carrying action and reality programming from its library, and Spike Outdoors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/viacom-newfronts-pluto-tv-channels-originals-slate-1203200042/|title=Viacom Launching 14 Free Channels on Pluto TV, Sets Broad Digital Originals Slate|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=2019-04-29|website=Variety|access-date=2019-04-30}}</ref>

==== Aborted rebrand as a movie network ====
In early 2020, Paramount Network began to cut back on scripted series development, having dropped upcoming projects such as ''[[Emily in Paris]]'' (which was subsequently picked up by [[Netflix]]), and cancelling ''[[68 Whiskey]]'' after a single season.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=September 22, 2020|title=Paramount Network Rebrands, Doubles Down on Movies and Minis (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/paramount-network-made-for-tv-movies-1234711671/|access-date=September 22, 2020|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> On September 11, 2020, it was announced that Bellator would move to [[CBS Sports Network]] in October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Damon|date=2020-09-11|title=Bellator MMA announces move from Paramount Network to CBS Sports Network|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/9/11/21432619/bellator-mma-announces-move-from-paramount-network-to-cbs-sports-network|access-date=2020-09-12|website=MMA Fighting}}</ref> It would later move to [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] in April 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-31|title=No Showtime? No problem – at least for Bellator 255|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/03/bellator-255-mma-showtime-free-trial-subscription-patricio-freire-emmanuel-sanchez-rematch|access-date=2021-05-16|website=MMA Junkie}}</ref>

On September 22, 2020, ViacomCBS president of Entertainment and Youth Brands Chris McCarthy told ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' in an exclusive that Paramount Network would relaunch as the  Paramount Movie Network "within the next year". The relaunched network was to focus primarily on original [[Television film|made-for-TV films]] featuring major talent, with a plan to premiere 52 films per-year.<ref name=":0" /> The films would have been largely produced by Paramount Pictures and [[MTV|MTV Studios]], with plans for co-productions with [[Paramount Global Distribution Group|ViacomCBS International]] networks such as Argentina's [[Telefe]], Australia's [[Network 10]], and the United Kingdom's [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]].<ref name=":0" /> These changes would have mirrored a similar shift in programming that McCarthy undertook at sister channel [[Comedy Central]], which also dropped live-action series development in favor of original specials, films, and [[adult animation]].<ref name=":0" />

At least one scripted series or miniseries was to be carried per-quarter, such as ''Yellowstone'' (albeit with episodes premiering in a different format to suit a cinematic presentation), but the channel was to abandon non-scripted programming.<ref name=":0" /> In preparation for the relaunch, it was stated that ''Bar Rescue and Lip Sync Battle'' would move to another ViacomCBS channel to be determined, while ''[[Ink Master]]'' and ''[[Wife Swap (American TV series)|Wife Swap]]'' were both cancelled.<ref name=":0" />

Former [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] SVP of original movies Meghan Hooper White had been brought on as ViacomCBS's head of original movies and specials in May 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Elaine |date=2020-05-12 |title=Megan Hooper White to Head ViacomCBS Entertainment & Youth Group's New Original Movies, Limited Series Division |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/megan-hooper-white-viacomcbs-original-movies-limited-series-1234604510/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> and was to oversee the Paramount Movie Network slate, as well as television films and specials across all other ViacomCBS networks.<ref name="deadline-pmn-ice" /> However, she was released from the company in August 2021 as part of a reorganization of [[Paramount+]] and MTV Entertainment Group's executive structure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2021-08-12 |title=MTV Entertainment Elevates Nina L. Diaz to Head Unscripted, Adult Animation for Paramount Plus; Meghan Hooper White and Justin Rosenblatt to Exit (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/meghan-hooper-white-viacomcbs-1235037581/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> In the interim, new seasons of ''Bar Rescue'' and ''Yellowstone'' would premiere on the network in 2021,<ref name="deadline-pmn-ice" /> and in October 2021, the second season of ''The Last Cowboy'' (a reality competition series by ''Yellowstone'' co-creator [[Taylor Sheridan]]) moved to CMT.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-20 |title=Taylor Sheridan Reality Series 'The Last Cowboy' Moves To CMT, Ropes Season 2 Premiere Date |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/taylor-sheridan-cmt-move-season-two-the-last-cowboy-yellowstone-november-12-1234859274/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Deadline}}</ref> ''Ink Master'' was also picked up for a new season by Paramount+.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2021-02-25 |title='Ink Master' & 'Dating Naked' Set For New Seasons At Paramount+ |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/ink-master-dating-naked-set-for-new-seasons-at-paramount-1234700573/ |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

The channel also began a strategy of promoting new Paramount+ original series involving Sheridan, such as ''[[Mayor of Kingstown]]'' and ''Yellowstone'' prequel ''[[1883 (TV series)|1883]]'', under which their initial episodes were given special television airings on Paramount Network as lead-outs for ''Yellowstone''. ''1883'' would set a record for the highest-rated premiere in Paramount Network history, and on cable overall since 2015, with 4.9 million viewers. McCarthy described this practice as a method of using its linear platforms as a "launch pad" for streaming content.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zorrilla |first=Monica Marie |date=November 16, 2021 |title=TV Ratings: 'Yellowstone' Stays Strong in Week 2, 'Mayor of Kingstown' Premieres to 2.6 Million Viewers |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/tv-ratings-yellowstone-stays-strong-in-week-2-mayor-of-kingstown-premieres-to-2-6-million-viewers-1235113173/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118194442/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/tv-ratings-yellowstone-stays-strong-in-week-2-mayor-of-kingstown-premieres-to-2-6-million-viewers-1235113173/ |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |access-date=November 18, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2021-11-17 |title=As 'Yellowstone' Holds Up Well In Week 2 & 'Mayor Of Kingstown' Has Solid Ratings Debut, Chris McCarthy Discusses Growing Taylor Sheridan Universe |url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/yellowstone-week-2-ratings-mayor-of-kingstown-premiere-chris-mccarthy-qa-taylor-sheridan-universe-1234874924/ |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2021-12-21 |title='1883': 'Yellowstone' Prequel Sets Paramount+ Premiere Record, Draws 4.9 Million Viewers On Paramount Network |url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/1883-yellowstone-prequel-paramount-plus-premiere-record-ratings-paramount-network-viewership-1234900017/ |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=Deadline}}</ref>

In January 2022, ''[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]'' reported that the network relaunch had been shelved, partly due to the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on television in the United States|impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on television and film production]], in addition to ''Yellowstone''{{'}}s ratings success—which had been influenced by the acquisition of streaming rights to the series by [[NBCUniversal]]'s [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]].<ref name="deadline-pmn-ice">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/paramount-movie-network-put-on-ice-as-viacomcbs-nixes-rebrand-plans-1234917830/|title=Paramount Movie Network Put On Ice As ViacomCBS Nixes Rebrand Plans For 'Yellowstone' Network|first=Peter|last=White|work=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|date=January 24, 2022|access-date=January 24, 2022}}</ref> The network also acquired linear rights to the [[Spectrum Originals]] series ''George & Tammy''.<ref name="deadline-pmn-ice" /> During the Paramount Global upfronts in May 2022, it was announced that ''Yellowstone'' spin-off ''6666'' had been shifted from Paramount+ to Paramount Network, the fifth season of ''Yellowstone'' would premiere in November 2022, and that the first two episodes of Sheridan and [[Sylvester Stallone]]'s Paramount+ series ''[[Tulsa King]]'' would receive special airings as lead-outs for ''Yellowstone''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2022-05-18 |title='Yellowstone' Spinoff '6666' Moves From Paramount+ To Paramount Network |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/yellowstone-spinoff-6666-moves-to-paramount-network-1235026901/ |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=Deadline }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |date=2022-05-18 |title='Yellowstone' Season 5 Premiere Date: Kevin Costner Series Returns To Paramount Network In The Fall |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/yellowstone-season-5-premiere-date-kevin-costner-paramount-network-1235027462/ |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=Deadline}}</ref>