Spike TV became Paramount Network in 2018
Spike TV stopped using that name on January 1, 2018, when the channel rebranded to Paramount Network. The change was part of a larger strategy by ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global) to consolidate its cable networks under the Paramount brand. If you were looking for Spike's programming after that date, you would have found it under the new name on the same channel number.
The rebrand did not happen overnight. ViacomCBS announced the change months in advance, and the network gradually shifted its on-air identity throughout late 2017. By January 2018, all Spike branding was gone, and Paramount Network took over the same broadcast slot.
Paramount Network still carries some of the shows that made Spike recognizable — reality programs, crime dramas, and unscripted content — but the channel's direction changed significantly after the rebrand. The new name signaled that ViacomCBS wanted to position the network as a prestige outlet tied to the Paramount film and television brand, rather than as a male-skewing entertainment channel.
Key Takeaways
- Spike TV rebranded to Paramount Network on January 1, 2018, as part of ViacomCBS's effort to unify its cable networks under one brand.
- The channel occupies the same broadcast slot it always did; the change was in name and programming direction, not location on your cable dial.
- Paramount Network carries some legacy Spike shows but shifted toward different content types after the rebrand.
- ViacomCBS later folded Paramount Network into Paramount Plus, its streaming service, as cable television viewership declined.
Why ViacomCBS rebranded Spike in the first place
ViacomCBS owned Spike TV outright and wanted to build a unified media empire around the Paramount name. The company already owned Paramount Pictures and was preparing to launch Paramount Plus as a streaming competitor to Netflix. Rebranding Spike as Paramount Network made the cable channel part of that larger ecosystem and gave the company a cleaner brand portfolio.
The rebrand also reflected a shift in how cable networks were performing. Spike's audience had aged, and the network's male-focused programming (wrestling, action movies, reality shows) was no longer driving the viewership numbers it once had. By repositioning as Paramount Network, ViacomCBS hoped to attract a broader audience and create content that could eventually move to Paramount Plus.
What happened to Spike's most popular shows
Some Spike staples moved with the rebrand. Bar Rescue, the reality show about bar owners getting business information, continued on Paramount Network and later moved to Paramount Plus. Ink Master, the tattoo competition show, also survived the transition and aired on Paramount Network for several more seasons.
Other shows did not make the cut. Bellator MMA, the mixed martial arts promotion that Spike had aired for years, moved to other networks as part of broader media rights deals. Cops, which had been a Spike fixture, was pulled from the network in 2020 amid national conversation about policing. 1000 Ways to Die and other shock-value programming that defined Spike's identity largely disappeared.
The shift meant that Paramount Network looked less like Spike and more like a general entertainment channel. Reality competition shows, crime dramas, and original series replaced the action-heavy, male-skewing content that had built Spike's brand over two decades.
Paramount Network's short life as a cable channel
Paramount Network operated as a cable channel for only about four years. By 2022, ViacomCBS (rebranded as Paramount Global) began consolidating its cable networks into Paramount Plus, its streaming service. The company was following the same path as every other major media company: moving away from traditional cable and toward streaming as the primary distribution method.
In March 2023, Paramount Global announced that Paramount Network would cease operations as a cable channel and shift entirely to Paramount Plus. The network's remaining original series and acquired content moved to the streaming platform. This meant that if you wanted to watch Paramount Network programming, you would need a Paramount Plus subscription rather than a cable subscription.
The move reflected the reality that cable television was losing viewers year after year. Paramount Global, like Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Netflix, had concluded that the future of television was streaming, not cable. Paramount Network's brief existence as a cable channel was part of a transitional period between those two eras.
Where Spike and Paramount Network content lives now
Most programming that aired on Spike or Paramount Network is now available on Paramount Plus. The streaming service holds the rights to many of the reality shows, dramas, and competition series that ran on those channels. Some shows are available in full; others are available in part, depending on licensing agreements.
Not every show made the move to streaming. Older Spike content, particularly from the 1990s and 2000s, may no longer be available anywhere legally. Licensing deals expire, and media companies often choose not to renew rights to older programming if they believe it will not draw viewers. If you are looking for a specific Spike show, Paramount Plus is the first place to check, but you may need to search other platforms or streaming services if it is not there.
Some Spike programming also lives on other networks. Bar Rescue moved to The Roku Channel and other platforms. Bellator MMA moved to Showtime and later to other sports networks. The fragmentation of content across multiple platforms is typical in modern television, where rights holders sell the same show to different distributors depending on geography and platform.
The larger pattern: cable networks disappearing into streaming
Spike TV's rebrand to Paramount Network and then its shift to streaming is not unique. Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, and other cable networks have all reduced their cable operations and moved content to streaming services owned by their parent companies. This is not a temporary trend; it reflects a permanent shift in how people watch television.
Cable networks that once defined television — channels with 24-hour schedules, live programming, and appointment viewing — are becoming less central to media companies' strategies. Paramount Global, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Amazon all prioritize their streaming services over their cable channels. Cable networks now function mainly as content production studios that feed streaming platforms rather than as standalone entertainment destinations.
If you grew up watching Spike TV, the channel's disappearance reflects a broader change in the television industry. The cable bundle that included dozens of channels is being replaced by a collection of streaming subscriptions. Paramount Network's short life as a cable channel is a visible marker of that transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still watch Spike TV shows somewhere?
Most Spike and Paramount Network shows are on Paramount Plus. Some older Spike content may no longer be available anywhere legally, and some shows have moved to other streaming services or cable networks depending on licensing deals. Paramount Plus is the best starting point if you are looking for a specific show.
Why did ViacomCBS rebrand Spike instead of keeping the name?
ViacomCBS wanted to unify its media brands around Paramount and prepare for streaming. Spike's audience was aging, and the network's male-focused programming was not performing as well as it once had. The rebrand signaled a shift toward broader, more prestige-oriented content.
Is Paramount Network still on cable?
No. Paramount Network ceased operations as a cable channel in March 2023. All of its programming moved to Paramount Plus. If you want to watch content that aired on Paramount Network, you need a Paramount Plus subscription.
What happened to shows like Bellator MMA and Cops that aired on Spike?
Bellator MMA moved to other networks as part of sports rights deals. Cops was pulled from Paramount Network in 2020 and is no longer in active distribution on major platforms. Other shows either moved to Paramount Plus or are no longer available.
Will cable networks like Paramount Network come back?
Media companies are moving away from cable toward streaming as their primary business. While cable networks will likely exist in some form for years, they are becoming less central to how major media companies operate. The trend is toward streaming-first strategies, not a return to cable-dominant television.