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Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Spike TV Television Highlights - April 2008

Courtesy of Spike TV:

NEW YORK, March 18 -- * Note: Spike TV HD includes
-- "Star Wars"
-- "CSI: NY"
-- "DEA"
-- "The Ultimate Fighter"
-- "GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley"
-- Powerblock Programming
-- Spike TV Original Movies

PREMIERES

-- DEA (HD: TV14-VL)
Series premiere Wednesday, April 2 (11:00 PM - Midnight, ET/PT);
Encores Tuesdays (10:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT) & Wednesdays
(11:00 PM - Midnight, ET/PT).

"DEA" underscores the danger Special Agents experience on a daily basis in
order to do their jobs. Viewers will witness first-hand what it is like
for Special Agents to go out on undercover missions and pose as drug
dealers. Spike TV is there when the DEA busts down doors as Special
Agents execute drug raids that put their lives directly in the line of
fire. The series also takes a look at the complex relationship that DEA
Special Agents have with informants, revealing the strange kinship they
share with these criminals who see themselves not as arch enemies, but
rather as opponents in "the game" of the illegal drug trade.

-- THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER: TEAM RAMPAGE VS TEAM FORREST (HD: TV14-VL)
Season premiere Wednesday, April 2 (10:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT); Premiere
episodes Wednesdays (10:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT); Encores Thursdays
(11:00 PM - Midnight, ET/PT). Pre-empted Thursday, April 10.

"The Ultimate Fighter" features thirty-two men from across the Americas,
who travel to Las Vegas with one dream, one goal -- to become "The
Ultimate Fighter." Coached by Forrest Griffin and Rampage Jackson, only
one fighter from the welterweight class will succeed.

-- UFC FIGHT NIGHT LIVE (NR)
Premieres Wednesday, April 2 (7:00 - 10:00 PM, ET/PT); Encores Wednesday,
April 2 (Midnight - 3:00 AM, ET/PT), Sunday, April 6 (1:30 - 4:30 PM,
ET/PT) & Tuesday, April 8 (7:00 - 10:00 PM, ET/PT).

Spike TV presents "UFC Fight Night Live" from Broomfield, Colorado
featuring such matchups as: Lightweight Bout -- Kenny Florian vs. Joe
Lauzon, Welterweight Bout -- Karo Parisyan vs. Thiago Alves, and Light
heavyweight Bout -- Matt Hamill vs. Tim Boetsch.

-- STAR WARS (HD)
"There is much to be learned" this April on Spike TV as the basic cable
channel becomes the exclusive home of the Star Wars movie franchise,
including the Broadcast Premiere of "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the
Sith," and the cable premieres of "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom
Menace" and "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones." Also, Spike TV
will televise never-before-seen on basic cable footage provided by
LucasFilms. Premiere schedule is below.

-- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999, PG)
Premieres Friday, April 4 (8:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT; Encores Saturday,
April 5 (5:00 - 8:00 PM, ET/PT) & Sunday, April 20 (8:00 - 11:00 PM,
ET/PT & 11:00 PM - 2:00 AM, ET/PT).

Set thirty years before the original Star Wars film, Episode I
introduces young Anakin Skywalker, a boy with special powers, unaware
that the journey he is beginning will transform him into the evil Darth
Vader. Obi-Wan Kenobi, the wise old Jedi from the original series, is a
determined young apprentice and Palpatine, well known as the evil
Emperor, is an ambitious Senator in the Galactic Republic. It is a time
when the Jedi Knights are the guardians of peace in a turbulent galaxy
and a young Queen fights to save her people. In the shadows lurks an
evil force waiting for the right moment to strike. Starring Liam
Neeson, Ewan McGregor and Natalie Portman.

-- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002, PG)
Premieres Saturday, April 5 (8:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT); Encores Sunday,
April 6 (4:30 - 8:00 PM, ET/PT) & Sunday, April 27 (8:00 - 11:00 PM,
ET/PT & 11:00 PM, ET/PT & 11:00 PM - 2:00 AM, ET/PT).

Ten years after the events chronicled in Star Wars: Episode I The
Phantom Menace, the epic Star Wars saga continues in Episode II.

The galaxy is in turmoil. Thousands of solar systems are threatening to
secede from the Galactic Republic under the leadership of a renegade
Jedi named Count Dooku. Without a standing army of the Republic, the
overwhelmed Jedi Knights struggle to maintain order as the very
foundation of peace and democracy is threatened. Starring Hayden
Christensen, Ewan McGregor and Natalie Portman.

-- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005, PG-V)
Premieres Sunday, April 6 (8:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT); Encore Monday,
April 7 (4:30 - 8:00 PM, ET/PT).

Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith - In the final installment of
the Star Wars saga, the Clone Wars rage through the galaxy. Asked to
spy for both the Jedi and for traitorous Chancellor Palpatine (Ian
McDiarmid), young Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen)
finds himself caught in the middle of the intrigue. Seduced by the dark
side, he pledges himself to the evil Darth Sidious and becomes Darth
Vader. Together, the Sith Lords set in motion a plot of revenge against
the Jedi, even while Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) tries to save
Anakin. The former allies come face-to-face in a climactic lightsaber
battle that will decide the fate of the galaxy. Starring Hayden
Christensen, Ewan McGregor and Natalie Portman.

-- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977, PG)
Premieres Friday, April 11 (8:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT); Encore Saturday,
April 12 (5:00 - 8:00 PM, ET/PT).

Set 30 years after Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: A
New Hope, the fourth episode of the saga, returns to the desert planet
of Tatooine. A young Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) begins to discover
his destiny when, searching for a lost droid, he is saved by a reclusive
Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness). A civil war rages in the galaxy,
and Rebel forces struggle against the evil Galactic Empire, Luke and
Obi-Wan enlist the aid of hotshot pilot, Han Solo (Harrison Ford).
Joined by the quirky droid duo R2-D2 and C-3PO, the unlikely team sets
out to rescue Rebel leader Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and make use of
the stolen plans to destroy the Empire's ultimate weapon. Starring Mark
Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher.

-- Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980, PG)
Premieres Saturday, April 12 (8:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT); Encore Sunday,
April 13 (5:00 - 8:00 PM, ET/PT).

The battle for the galaxy intensifies in this thrilling fifth episode of
the unfolding saga. As Imperial Forces launch an all-out attack on the
Rebel Alliance, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie
Fisher) flee to Cloud City where they are captured by Darth Vader. Luke
Skywalker (Mark Hamill) journeys to the mysterious, marshy planet of
Dagobah, where the wise Jedi Master Yoda teaches the young hero the ways
of the Force.

Little does Luke know that all his Jedi training will be called upon so
soon. A stunning revelation -- and a seeming life-or-death duel with
Darth Vader -- await. Starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie
Fisher.

-- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983, PG)
Premieres Sunday, April 13 (8:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT); Encore Monday,
April 14 (5:00 - 8:00 PM, ET/PT).

In the spectacular climactic sixth episode of the Star Wars saga, Darth
Vader readies the second Death Star to unleash the final blow to the
Rebel Alliance. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) joins his droid allies R2
D2 and C-3PO, along with Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), to free his
comrade Han Solo (Harrison Ford), imprisoned by the vile crime lord,
Jabba the Hutt. Reunited, the Rebels race to the moon of the planet
Endor where they launch a desperate attack upon the entire Imperial
Fleet.

But the ultimate battle is between father and son, as Luke faces Darth
Vader one last time, for the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance.
Starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher.

-- UFC 83 COUNTDOWN: SERRA VS. ST. PIERRE (TV14-VL)
Premieres Tuesday, April 15 (11:00 PM - Midnight, ET/PT)

A preview of the upcoming PPV event on April 19, 2008 at the Bell Centre
in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Go behind the scenes as Matt Serra and
Georges St-Pierre prepare for a welterweight championship battle. See how
they train eat and live in there home towns.

-- FINISH LINE (2008, Action/Adventure) - HD Spike Original Movie
Premieres Monday, April 21 (9:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT).

A stock car driver looking to make it to NASCAR gets involved with an
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement investigation into a weapon smuggling
operation. Starring Scott Baio and Taylor Cole.


ORIGINALS

-- TNA: iMPACT! (TV-14LV)
New Episodes Premiere Thursdays (9:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT); Encores
Saturdays (11:00 PM - 1:00 AM, ET/PT). Pre-empted Saturday, April 5
(Midnight - 2:00 AM, ET/PT) & Saturday, April 12 (Midnight - 2:00 AM,
ET/PT).

TNA Wrestling delivers a distinct brand of high-risk, athletic
entertainment. TNA's roster includes the biggest names in wrestling today,
such as Kurt Angle, Booker T, Kevin Nash and Christian Cage, as well as
the hottest new stars in the business: A.J. Styles, Samoa Joe, The Latin
American Xchange and the Motor City Machineguns. TNA features the
innovative six-sided ring and the high flying X-Division, as well as
concept matches such as "Ultimate X," "King of the Mountain," "Six Sides
of Steel," "Lethal Lockdown" and "Elevation X," considered the most
dangerous match in professional wrestling.

-- GAMETRAILERS TV WITH GEOFF KEIGHLEY (HD: TV-14)
New Episodes Premiere Fridays (1:00 - 1:30 AM, ET/PT); Encores Fridays
(1:30 - 2:00 AM, ET/PT) - * Encores not televised in HD.

Designed from the ground up to be the most entertaining and informative
on-air resource for fans of the thriving video game industry,
"GameTrailers TV" is a weekly magazine-style show focusing on the
industry's hottest titles, coolest events and biggest stars. Fast-paced,
energetic and offering the access and insight millions of viewers have
come to expect from the GameTrailers brand, "GameTrailers TV" delivers the
best of the best from the world of video games while highlighting the
cultures of gaming from around the globe.

-- UFC UNLEASHED (TV14-V)
Premiere episodes telecast Wednesday, April 16 & Wednesday, April 23 (9:00
- 10:00 PM, ET/PT).

"UFC Unleashed" is the best of the best from the UFC archives. "UFC
Unleashed" features the semifinals and finals of The Ultimate Fighter,
Best of the PPV fights, quickest Knockouts, legendary fighters and fights,
and much more.

-- Wednesday, April 16
Features:
Jeremy Stephens VS Cole Miller - 2 Rd (UFN 12)
Luke Cummo VS Edilberto Crocata - 1 Rd (UFN 11)
Chuck Liddell VS Wanderlei Silva - 3 Rd (UFC 79)

-- Wednesday, April 23
Features:
Houston Alexander VS Alessio Sakara - 1 Rd (UFC 75)
Rashad Evands VS Michael Bisping - 3 Rd (UFC 75)
Anderson Silva VS Rich Franklin - 2 Rd (UFC 77)

-- MANSWERS (TV-MADLS)
Telecasts Fridays (12:30 - 1:00 AM, ET/PT).

Whether its questions about booze, sex, or violence, "MANswers" is trivia
for men that delivers real answers that guys need to know. In each
episode, "MANswers" races through re-enactments, expert one-on-ones and
man-on-the-street interviews to educate Spike viewers on the taboo topics
in terms only guys can relate to. The truth is never what you would
expect and will inevitably end up being talked about around the water
cooler the next day.

-- MXC (TV-14D)
Telecasts Mondays - Fridays (10:00 - 10:30 AM & 10:30 - 11:00 AM, ET/PT) &
Fridays (Midnight - 12:30 AM).

Spike TV's acclaimed original comedic series, is described as a wacky
combination of "Fear Factor," "Jackass," "Iron Chef," with a touch of
"Mystery Science Theater 3000." Using the actual footage from one of the
most popular primetime Japanese reality game shows, Takeshi's Castle, MXC
is re-written to create an entirely new comedic storyline. The series is
not dubbed and there is not a single trace of literal translation from the
original show.


MOVIE PREMIERES

-- GET SHORTY (HD: 1995, Comedy/Drama)
Premieres Saturday, April 26 (8:00 10:00 PM, ET/PT).

A mobster travels to Hollywood to collect his debt and winds up getting
involved in the movie business. Starring John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene
Russo and Danny DeVito.

-- OUT FOR A KILL (HD: 2003, Action/Adventure)
Premieres Monday, April 28 (9:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT).

An unsuspecting university professor is an unwitting accomplice in a
foiled Chinese cocaine deal. Wrongly imprisoned, he escapes to take his
revenge and prove his innocence. Starring Steven Seagal.


ACQUIRED SERIES

-- CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (TV-14)
Telecasts Mondays - Fridays (6:00 - 9:00 PM, ET/PT).

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" revolves around a team of forensic Crime
Scene Investigators in the Las Vegas police department's Criminalistics
Bureau. By relentlessly analyzing every detail at the scene of a crime,
no matter how seemingly irrelevant or grotesque in nature, the team has
science and experience on their side to solve the case. The series stars
William Petersen, Marg Helgenberger, Gary Dourdan, George Eads, Jorja Fox
and Paul Guilfoyle.

-- CSI: NY (HD: TV-14)

The third edition of the "CSI" franchise sets up shop in the Big Apple,
where taciturn Detective Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) and his partner,
Detective Stella Bonasera (Melina Kanakaredes), lead a crime-solving team.
Like his counterparts in Las Vegas and Miami, Taylor knows that people may
lie, but the evidence rarely does. Schedule is as follows:

-- Friday, April 4 (9:00 - 10:00 AM, ET/PT) - Outside Man
-- Sunday, April 13 (1:00 - 2:00 PM, ET/PT) - Rain
-- Monday, April 14 (Midnight - 1:00 AM, ET/PT) - Manhattan Manhunt
-- Monday, April 21 (11:00 PM - Midnight, ET/PT) - Three Generations are
Enough
-- Tuesday, April 29 (11:00 PM - Midnight, ET/PT). - Officer Blue

-- THE SHIELD (TV-MADLV)
Telecasts Thursdays (3:00 - 4:00 AM, ET/PT).

The story of in inner-city Los Angeles police precinct where some of the
cops aren't above breaking the rules or working against their associates
to both keep the streets safe and their self-interests intact. Starring
Emmy Award(R) winner Michael Chiklis and Catherine Dent.

WEEKEND PROGRAMMING

-- WEEKEND POWERBLOCK
Sexy car enthusiast Courtney Hansen hosts Spike TV's "Power Block" lineup,
a weekend (Saturdays Noon - 2:00 PM, ET/PT and Sundays 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM,
ET/PT) two-hour block of auto related programming. Pre-empted Saturday,
March 29.

Saturdays:

Noon - 12:30 PM, ET/PT
HORSEPOWER TV (HD: TV-G)
Host Joe Elmore and tech expert Mike Galley work out of their to-die-for
performance garage sharing speed secrets on how to transform everyday cars
into road burners and how to get the most out of them on the street and at
the strip. This series captures the performance lifestyle taking viewers
to America's best events, rallies and races.

12:30 - 1:00 PM, ET/PT
MUSCLE CAR (HD: TV-G)
Celebrating America's love affair with these fabled '60's and 70's era
muscle cars, the series focuses on finding, restoring and modifying iconic
Detroit iron like the Pontiac GTO, the Hemi Cuba, the Boss Mustang and the
Chevelle SS.

1:00 - 1:30 PM, ET/PT
TRUCKS! (HD: TV-G)
This how-to/new vehicle series addresses the light truck market with
special emphasis on pickups and sport utility vehicles. From the wildest
jet drag trucks and monster trucks to the world's most radical 4x4 rock
crawlers and customs, each episode takes viewers step-by-step modifying,
customizing, restoring and testing classic and sport trucks, off-roaders
and race trucks.

1:30 - 2:00 PM, ET/PT
XTREME 4X4 (HD: TV-G)
Hosted by Ian Johnson and Jessi Combs, this series features hardcore 4x4
build-ups and off-road truck projects, plus extreme action events -- rock
crawling, desert racing, sand drags, mud racing, and trail riding
adventure.


Sundays:

11:00 - 11:30 AM, ET/PT
HORSEPOWER TV (HD: TV-G)

11:30 AM - Noon, ET/PT
MUSCLE CAR (HD: TV-G)

Noon - 12:30 PM, ET/PT
TRUCKS! (HD: TV-G)

12:30 - 1:00 PM, ET/PT
XTREME 4X4 (HD: TV-G)

CONTACT: Kevin Sornatale of Spike TV, +1-212-767-8621, Kevin.Sornatale@spiketv.com