AXS TV and Charter Communications’ Spectrum brand said that the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is joining their Band Together for Music Education initiative.

The magical and mysterious bus, packed with musical and video equipment and state-of-the-art gear, will make stops at the Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center in Los Angeles, James Whitcomb Riley School 43 in Indianapolis and the N.Y.C. Lab School for Collaborative Studies.

Founded by Yoko Ono and Brian Rothschild in 1998, the Lennon bus gives young people a unique opportunity to write and record an original composition and shoot a music video, guided by the bus’s engineers.

“AXS TV’s Band Together For Music Education has left an indelible mark on young and aspiring musicians throughout America — instilling confidence and creativity, and helping cultivate invaluable skills, techniques, and habits that can last a lifetime,” AXS TV president Andy Schuon said.

“This year, we are proud to expand this initiative by partnering with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus to bring incredible music experiences to even more students,” Schuon said. “Their mission is a perfect complement to our own, as they tirelessly strive to keep the spirit of music alive for future generations via dynamic and hands-on activities, empowering students to dig into the wide breadth of creative and career opportunities that the industry and art form have to offer.”

The Band Together program was started by AXS TV in 2022 and is designed to connect with affiliates, local communities and schools nationwide to promote music education as schools are cutting budgets for music programs.

With Spectrum’s support, AXS TV’s Band Together has awarded $160,000 in grants to 24 schools across 20 cities.

"Spectrum’s partnership with AXS TV and the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus enriches the educational opportunities for students in these communities,” said Adam Falk, senior VP of state government affairs for Spectrum. “By supporting the Band Together For Music Education initiative, we are giving more students access to high-quality music programs to explore their creative potential. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this collaboration will have on students nationwide."

Each of the stops the Lennon Bus makes will be marked by fun activities for kids and appearances by local officials.

When the Lennon Bus appears in L.A. on September 19, officials on hand will include California State Senators Steven Bradford (35th District) and Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (28th District), Los Angeles Councilwoman Heather Hutt (10th District), Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell (2nd District) and legendary bass player Verdine White from Earth, Wind & Fire.

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine is attending the New York event on October 9.

Anthem Sports & Entertainment said it hired Brian Doherty as president of ad sales for its AXS TV and HDNet Movies, a new position at the company.

Doherty had previously been executive VP of multi-platform advertising sales for Nexstar Media Group and its national properties including The CW, NewsNation and The Hill. 

In his new post he will be responsible for monetizing programming on the linear networks, and expand revenue streams and business opportunities in areas including streaming, apps and social media.

Doherty will report to Andy Schuon, president of AXS TV and HDNet Movies.

“Brian is one of the most respected names in this business, armed with unprecedented success in sports and entertainment,” Schuon said.

“He is joining our team at an exciting time, as HDNet Movies is experiencing unprecedented growth, becoming the fastest-growing network on television, and AXS TV is rapidly evolving into a global multi-platform music brand," Schuon said. “I have no doubt that Brian, and the rest of our already strong ad sales team, will position us to maximize our growth.”

Last year, Anthem hired Deborah Cuffaro to set up a new ad sales team for the company’s linear networks. Cuffaro and the team will report to Doherty.

Before Nexstar acquired the CW, Doherty was senior VP of multi-platform sales at the network, helping to introduce the CW’s convergence ad strategy.  

“Under Andy’s leadership, AXS TV and HDNet Movies have enjoyed tremendous success and increased status in this highly-competitive television landscape over a very short time,” Doherty said. 

“There are so many incredible avenues for multi-platform revenue, business, and sales opportunities here, fueled by a rich content library boasting the absolute best in music and film-themed programming,” he said. “I look forward to getting started with AXS TV and HDNet Movies’ fantastic team to maximize their monetization potential.”

AXS TV said it will be running a new series from Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship starting April 4 at 11 p.m.

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship will continue to appear in that time slot until April 18, which it will move to 10 p.m.

With 13 hour-long episodes, the series will debut  with a review of top matches from BKFC 38 and feature fighters including  Dat Nguyen, Daniel Straus, Bostwick and Isaac Doolittle

“We’re very excited to partner with AXS TV on this unique opportunity for our promotion,” David Feldman, founder and president of BKFC, said. “AXS TV has a long history of broadcasting true cutting-edge content. They share our vision and we expect this new series to elevate our promotion and brand as we continue our rapid ascent in the sports landscape.”

Founded in 2018, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship became the first promotion to hold a legal, sanctioned and regulated bare-knuckle event in the U.S. since 1889.

Only fighters with an established track record in boxing, MMA, kickboxing or Muay Thai are allowed to step into the Bare Knuckle’s Squared Circle, and judges and referees must have extensive professional combat sports experience, as well. Additionally, BKFC prohibits competitors from wrapping their hands within an inch of the knuckle, making the promotion the purest form of bare knuckle boxing in the combat sports arena, BKFC said.

AXS TV and Charter Communications' Spectrum unit will be awarding ten $10,000 grants to music education programs as part of the ongoing AXS TV Band Together For Music Education initiative.

Since 2022, AXS TV has used the initiative to connect with affiliates, local communities and schools. 

“Music education is so important for a child’s growth and development, providing untold benefits that will positively impact them for the rest of their lives,” said AXS TV President Andy Schuon. “AXS TV celebrates music’s rich history, and we’re proud to continue our partnership with Spectrum to bring much-needed funds and resources to these incredible music programs. We hope that the grants will empower and inspire students across the country, no matter where they are on their musical journey. And, who knows, maybe they’ll end up on AXS TV one day.”

The first grant of 2024 will be awarded to Heart of LA (HOLA) in a special ceremony held at the AXS TV Studio on March 29. Speaking will be AXS TV’s Head of Content and Marketing Greg Drebin; music icon and AXS TV’s contributor Carnie Wilson; and Spectrum’s VP of Government Affairs, Whitney O’Neill; as well as Senator María Elena Durazo; Assemblymember Miguel Santiago; LA City Councilwoman Heather Hutt; and Heart Of LA CEO Tony Brown.

With Spectrum’s support and assistance, AXS TV Band Together For Music Education will have awarded a total of $150,000 to 15 deserving music programs by the end of 2024.

“We welcome this opportunity to join together with AXS TV for a new round of grants supporting music and arts education,” said Adam Falk, senior VP of state government affairs for Spectrum. “As a company with a large local presence, we aim to invest in initiatives that benefit the communities we serve. ‘Band Together’ does this by providing much-needed funding to underserved programs so students can access the instruments, instruction and equipment they need to appreciate music.”

Anthem Sports & Entertainment said that it hired Greg Drebin as head of content and marketing for its AXS TV and HDNet Movies networks.

Drebin, most recently executive VP of worldwide marketing, publicity and research at Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, will look to expand viewership and improve the demographics of the two channels.

Drebin will report to Andy Schuon, recently named president of AXS TV and HDNet Movies. Schuon and Drebin worked together at MTV, CBS Radio and Universal’s International Music Feed Network.

“Greg Drebin is an exceptional talent,” said Schuon. “His dynamic, strategic and innovative mind, and his industry expertise make him a natural fit for what we aim to accomplish at AXS TV and HDNet Movies. I am really looking forward to collaborating with Greg once more.”

Before joining Fox, Drebin was senior VP of programming and marketing at Warner Bros. International TV Branded Services. He also worked at Universal music Group and MTV. He started his career as an NBC Page and production assistant working on Saturday Night Live, Late Night with David Letterman, NBC Nightly News and NFL Live.

“AXS TV and HDnet Movies are well established networks with strong foundations in music and film.  I look forward to working with Andy again to maximize their potential across all platforms,” Drebin said.

Anthem Sports & Entertainment said it hired cable music veteran Andy Schuon as president of its TV networks AXS TV and HDNet Movies.

Shuon had been president of Revolt Media and has managed music brands including CBS Radio, Warner Bros. Records, Universal Music Group, Live Nation and Viacom’s MTV networks.

“Andy Schuon is a true trailblazer in this industry, and a driving force behind many definitive pop culture landmarks that have left an indelible impact throughout the world,” said Leonard Asper, President & CEO of Anthem Sports & Entertainment. “His reputation as a legendary brand builder is well-earned, and his breadth of expertise will be vital in ushering in an important era for both AXS TV and HDNet Movies.”

In his new post. Schuon will use his experience starting and running cable networks to unlock the growth potential of AXS TV and HD Net, the company said.

The networks had been overseen by Anthony Cicione, who remains president of entertainment at Anthem. Earlier this month, Cicione was named president of TNA Wrestling.

At CBS Radio, Schuon oversaw the execution of the biggest single-client advertising deal in radio history, and spearheaded content and audience strategy for CBS Radio’s network of 185 stations across major markets.  

As executive VP, head of programming & production for MTV, MTV2, and VH1, he executive produced the  VMAs, MTV Movie Awards, and created the first celebrity reality show Rodman World Tour. 

In a programming stunt, Schuon moved MTV out of Times Square and into a summer rental, the MTV Beach House. The franchise lifted ratings for the entire network and created extraordinary revenue every summer. through integrated marketing opportunities and sponsorships.

“Len Asper and I have been talking about the opportunity to leverage the reach of AXS TV and HDNet Movies for some time. I was thrilled when he asked me to lead these networks, and take them to new heights and new platforms” Schuon said. “Connecting content, especially music related programming, with audiences has been my life’s work. At a time when music moves at the speed of social media, we are uniquely qualified to be the voice of record in the video presentation of music across all platforms.”

AXS TV said that a new original series, Cash Cab Music, will be part of its winter programming slate.

Cash Cab Music puts a new spin on the long-running Cash Cab format, with host Adam Growe surprising passengers with a chance to win prizes by answering questions about tunes and artists.

Questions will increase in value from $50 to $100, with a final round in which correct answers are worth $200 each. 

A final “Cash Cab Karaoke” question will enable them to double their money, if they sing the correct tune.

Cash Cab Music was produced for AXS TV by Castlewood Productions.

The new weekly show launches January 8 and is part of AXS TV’s winter schedule.

The new slate also features two new acquired series, You Gotta Eat Here! With John Catucci and Hot Ones, a viral celebrity series in which host Sean Evans sits down with an eclectic roster of A-listers including Cate Blanchett, Viola Davis, Bryan Cranston, Steph Curry and Bear Grylls.

In addition to music, there’s grappling action, with TNA Impact! and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. 

“AXS TV has always been the premier destination for the absolute best in music programming, and we’re taking that to the next level in 2024 — pushing the bounds of music-centric content with this slate of original and acquired series, many of which mark the network’s first foray into several new and exciting genres,” Katie Daryl, VP of programming for AXS TV, said. “AXS TV’s latest additions offer a little something for everyone, and we cannot wait to share them all with our viewers in the new year.”

AXS TV is owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment.

Anthem Sports & Entertainment said its AXS TV has gained new distribution in five key markets with Comcast’s Xfinity pay television service.

Beginning Tuesday, AXS TV will be available in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Nashville, Miami and West Palm Beach.

“This announcement marks an incredible opportunity for AXS TV, and we are truly appreciative of Comcast and its continued recognition of the importance of supporting independent networks,” Anthony Cicione, president of Entertainment at AXS TV owner Anthem, said.

“Each of these five major markets helps AXS TV expand its reach even further across the country,” Cicione said. “We have many new and exciting original series and events about to debut, as well as the return of several fan favorites, and we look forward to sharing them all with viewers throughout Washington, D.C., Nashville, Atlanta, Miami, and West Palm Beach starting December 12.”

Also Read: AXS TV, ‘Spin’ Present ‘100 Greatest Rock Stars’

Some of the new markets have already been represented in programming on AXS TV. 

Most recently, the network highlighted some of Florida’s most famous festivals on its music-trivia show Parking Lot Payday and Nashville is home to the upcoming second season of Vinyl Obsession, which is filmed at the renowned Grimey’s record store. 

AXS TV’s weekly pro wrestling series Impact! this Thursday (September 14) will reach a television milestone with its 1,000th episode.

The series, which launched initially on Fox Sports Net in 2004 and aired on several cable networks before moving to AXS TV in 2019, is the signature series for the Anthem Sports & Entertainment-owned Impact Wrestling organization. Formerly known as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Impact Wrestling content can be seen domestically on several platforms, including Anthem-owned AXS TV, FAST channel offerings on Pluto TV, Xumo, Samsung TV Plus, Roku and Sling, as well as via pay-per-view. 

Impact Wrestling president Scott D'Amore said the long-running linear cable series, along with the company's efforts to reach its core fans across numerous platforms, has helped Impact! remain viable to viewers over the years.

“Our linear footprint will always be an important part of the game plan, but I think digital is the future, and you’re going to see us continue to expand,” D’Amore said. "I think the ability to be very flexible in how the content gets out there and how you consume it has been a key part in staying out there and expanding the fan base of wrestling at a time when a lot of fan bases are seeing contraction." 

Click below to listen to an interview with D’Amore on the latest episode of the “TV Sportsplay” podcast. 

Pickleball is coming to AXS TV. The network, part of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, said it signed an agreement with Major League Pickleball that will let it cover all three of the league’s live Season 2 tournaments, starting Sept. 22.

As part of the agreement AXS TV will become the official music sponsor on site at the MLP 2023 events.

“Pickleball is growing at a tremendous pace and AXS TV is pleased to not only air the events on our channel, but be on site promoting music,” said Anthony Cicione, President of Entertainment for Anthem. 

Networks, including ESPN and CBS Sports Network, have also jumped on the pickleball trend. 

Major League Pickleball is a team-based professional league featuring top competitors from around the world. 

The league’s title sponsor is Margaritaville, the lifestyle brand inspired by the late musician Jimmy Buffett.

AXS TV’s pickleball season starts with MLP Atlanta, which runs September 22 through September 24. It continues with MLP Los Angeles, November 3 through November 5 and concludes with MLP SoCal December 8 through December 10.

AXS TV premieres ‘70s sitcom The Partridge Family starting October 2. The show will air in the 9 p.m. ET hour, with back-to-back episodes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It will also air in the 1 p.m. weekday slot as part of the network’s “Retro Binge” daytime block, alongside The Monkees, The Very Very Best of the 80s and A Year in Music. 

Shirley Jones played the matriarch Shirley in The Partridge Family. David Cassidy, Susan Dey, Danny Bonaduce, Suzanne Crough and Jeremy Gelbwalks played her children and bandmates. 

The Partridge Family was on from 1970 to 1974. It amassed 96 episodes. 

“The Partridge Family is one of television’s most beloved sitcom classics, fueled by its iconic soundtrack featuring enduring hits such as ‘C’mon Get Happy’ and ‘I Think I Love You’,” said Katie Daryl, VP of programming, AXS TV. “AXS TV is proud to bring the Partridges back home to primetime — giving longtime fans a chance to relive their favorite moments from the show while opening it up for a new generation to discover and enjoy.”

The series was inspired by real-life musical siblings The Cowsills. Guest stars on the show included Johnny Cash, Richard Pryor, Jodie Foster, Dick Clark and Farrah Fawcett. 

AXS TV, part of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, features music-themed programming and professional wrestling, among other things. 

AXS TV said it is teaming up with Spin Magazine on a new original series, Spin’s 100 Greatest Rock Stars, that will premiere October 2.

The 12-episode series is based on the magazine’s “100 Greatest Rock Stars Since That Was a Thing” feature.

“The problem with lists like this is they are invariably BS. So our prime objective was to make sure we didn’t do a BS list," said Spin founder Bob Guccione Jr., who curated the list.

"A rock star is, perhaps by definition, undefinable,“ Guccione said. “They just are. They’re luminescent. Even when, in some cases, they didn’t want to be. I’m excited to bring this list to life with AXS TV! They have a great audience of dedicated and knowledgeable music fans. They’ll let us know what they think.”

Also Read: AXS TV Tunes Up 'Guitar Academy' With Instructor Marty Schwartz

Among those under the spotlight in the series are Elvis Presley, Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Nicks, Jimmy Page, Eminem, Syd Barrett, David Bowie, Bob Marley, Gwen Stefani, Grace Slick and Pere Ubu’s David Thomas.

The season will feature special Artist Spotlights and surprise segments honoring rock stars revered by their peers such as Sammy Hagar, Brian Wilson and Angus Young. 

It will also guest commentary from a slate of entertainment icons including Joel McHale, Dee Snider, Stewart Copeland, Carnie Wilson, Steve Vai, Roy Orbison Jr., David Archuleta, Kenny Aronoff, Bruno Major, Bob Mould, Shawn Stockman and U.K. music journalist Kylie Olsson.

“We are excited to produce this show with Spin. It has been one the most definitive platforms for music since its inception and this celebration of rock stars is legendary,” Katie Daryl, executive producer of the series and VP of programming for AXS TV, said. “We hope that this will be the first of many collaborations moving forward into the future as we continue to partner with more and more music brands.” 

AXS-TV wants viewers to tune in and tune up to a new primetime series–Marty Music Guitar Academy–that will have its premiere on July 11.

Marty Music Guitar Academy is hosted by guitar teacher Marty Schwartz, who’s built a following of 3.8 million subscribers with his ability to teach complex techniques in an easy-to-understand way.

“We strive to bring our audience the ultimate music experience, putting the spotlight on unforgettable performances highlighting some of rock’s biggest bands and most iconic songs,” said Katie Daryl, AXS TV’s VP of Programming. 

“Our new series takes that mission one step further, giving viewers the tools they need to play those classic songs themselves. Marty’s laidback style makes learning the guitar so much less intimidating—inspiring students of all abilities to just pick it up and play,” Daryl said. “This is one of the first times ever that an instructional music series has aired in primetime on network TV, and we look forward to sharing Marty’s unique techniques with our viewers when Marty Music Guitar Academy premieres on July 11.”

In season one, episodes will have themes, such as “Summer Time Songs & Good Vibe Essentials," "Psychedelic Rock Riffs From the 60s and 70s,” “Hair Metal Classics” and “British Rock Riffs From The 60s.”

Viewers will learn to play rock classics like the Rolling Stones’ Satisfaction, The Beatles’ Here Comes the Sun and Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love.

"I am beyond thrilled to bring my passion for music and guitar to AXS TV,” said Schwartz. “Creating a show for television is a dream come true, and I can't wait to share my knowledge and love for the instrument with a new audience. I hope the show motivates people to play and inspire a new generation of guitarists!”

Brandon Jenner will host the  music competition series Banded on AXS TV. The show will see 25 contenders placed in bands, with songwriters and producers coaching them. It premieres on the AXS TV digital channels May 12, and on AXS TV May 13. 

There are eight episodes. 

Didi Benami, who was an American Idol finalist, will co-host. The band coaches are Wendy Starland, Paul Ebersold, Steve Diamond, Justin Wilson and Dave Pahanish. 

The show will also feature mentors and guest judges, including Vince Neil, Kip Winger and Steve Azard. 

“Banded is the perfect complement to our growing lineup of all-new original music-themed programming, putting a fresh spin on the standard music competition format that brings viewers into the fascinating creative process that each band undertakes,” Katie Daryl, AXS TV VP of programming, said. “We have some truly talented competitors and world-class mentors onboard, and we cannot wait to share all of this and more with our audience when Banded premieres on AXS TV’s platforms next month.”

Jenner, a singer-songwriter, is the son of Caitlyn Jenner.

“We are extremely pleased to announce our partnership with AXS TV in launching the inaugural season of Banded,” said Nico Albano, executive producer of the series. “AXS TV’s national and digital platforms are incredibly robust, giving viewers multiple ways to conveniently enjoy our content. We hope that this will be the beginning of a long-lasting relationship between AXS TV and Banded, and we look forward to continuing to work with them as we move forward into the future.”

AXS is part of Anthem Sports & Entertainment. 

The Monkees are coming to AXS TV as part of a new Friday Retro Night block.

AXS has all 58 episodes of The Monkees, which is distributed by Sony Pictures Television.

Amid Beatlemania, The Monkees were assembled for TV and became a sensation, but Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith eventually became musical legends in their own right. The sitcom still captures the pop sensibility of the ’60s.

“The Monkees sitcom was truly ahead of its time and paved the way for countless series and bands throughout the decades and still is,” said founding Monkees member Micky Dolenz. “I am so pleased that AXS TV is featuring it in their ‘Retro Night’ lineup. I hope that it will continue to inspire and entertain new generations of viewers for years to come.”

The Retro Night block will kick off with The Very VERY Best of the 80s, followed by The Monkees at 8:30 p.m. The block ends with Nothing But Trailers Flashback. 

“AXS TV’s new ‘Retro Night’ lineup is like a perfect time capsule compiling everything we love from three of pop culture’s most definitive decades,” said Katie Daryl, executive producer and VP of programming for AXS TV.

Also Read: Anthem Adds Richard Schaefer To Its Corner as It Builds Boxing Business

“The ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s were packed with iconic music, groundbreaking movies, legendary series, timeless fashion, and so much more, with each era leaving an indelible mark on entertainment that remains to this day. Whether you lived through it or wish you had, this block is the perfect chance for our intergenerational audience to fall in love with these decades all over again, and we invite viewers of all ages to join in on the fun as we take the ultimate trip down memory lane,” Daryl said.

The Very, VERY Best of the ’80s features a rotating panel of celebrity guests who break down the dedicated top movies, sitcoms and game shows. Susan Olsen and Barry Williams of The Brady Bunch, Tracey Gold of Growing Pains, Todd Bridges of Diff’’rent Strokes, Mindy Cohn of The Facts of Life, and Anson Williams of Happy Days make appearances along with '80s bombshells Morgan Fairchild and Tia Carrere and horror icon Dee Wallace.

Nothing But Trailers Flashbacks show previews of memorable movies including Return of the Jedi, Scarface and 16 Candles. Themed episodes cover ‘80s Teen Movies, ‘70s Disaster Movies, ‘80s Action Movies and Westerns from the ‘60s and ‘70s. ■

Music and entertainment network AXS TV is jamming with Charter Communications’ Spectrum to provide $50,000 in grants to support music education in communities served by Charter.

The AXS TV’s Band Together for Music Education initiative is launching in five markets in five states (California, Florida, New York, Ohio and Texas) and aims to keep programs alive at a time when schools are eliminating music classes and band programs because of budget cuts.

"Instilling a deep passion for music in the younger generations is a major part of AXS TV’s mission, and ‘Band Together’ is a perfect representation of that," said Anthony Cicione, president of entertainment, for AXS TV’s parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment. "We are excited to join with Spectrum on this important initiative, giving these talented students vital tools to reach even greater heights as they progress in their musical journeys. Who knows? The students of today could very well become the stars of tomorrow—and we just might be featuring them on our network in the coming years!"

Music education also builds confidence in students and tends to improve reading and math score.

The first group of grant winners have been selected to receive $10,000 awards each. They are Heart of LA – HOLA in Los Angeles, Calif.; Eastmoor Academy in Columbus, Ohio; Dr. Billy E. Dade Middle School in Dallas, Texas; Prine Elementary in Bradenton, Fla. and Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School (REACS) in Jamaica, N.Y.

"We’re grateful for the AXS TV Band Together partnership, which will help even more children pursue their musical dreams," said Catherine Bohigian, executive VP, government affairs for Charter Communications. "Through music education, young people can learn valuable social, academic and creative skills, enriching their lives and preparing them for the future, which complements our commitment to support initiatives that strengthen the communities where we live and work." ■

Anthem Sports & Entertainment TV channels will again be sporting mustaches to support Movember, the initiative supporting men’s wellness.

Famously ’stached actors, including Sam Elliott, Charles Bronson, Richard Pryor, Burt Reynolds, Kevin Kline and John Cleese, will be showcased in “Movember Monday” films on Anthem’s HDNet Movies.

Titles featured include Easy Rider, Fuzz, Breakheart Pass, Fatal Beauty, The Mechanic, Messenger of Death, Moving, Malone, Stroker Ace and A Fish Called Wanda.

Mustachioed musicians call the tune on AXS TV's Movember Saturday Stack on November 12. 

The block begins at 12 p.m. ET with a star-studded breakdown of The Very VERY Best of the 70s Mustache Men, and also includes Rock Legends, portraits of Queen, ZZ Top, and Santana; insightful features exploring the lives and legacies of The Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, and Prince; and hit-heavy sets by Alan Jackson and Toby Keith.

Over the course of the month, both networks will air Movember-themed displays and interstitial content. Public-service announcements will encourage male viewers to “Spot the Signs” and help friends in need become A Man of More Words. They will also air “Suicide Notes” segments, featuring true stories from men who came back from the edge.

Since 2003, Movember has advocated for men’s physical and mental health, raising funds and awareness while investing in finding cures for prostate cancer, testicular cancer and other conditions. ■

There are two driving forces behind Sarah Weidman’s career in television.

“The bottom line is that I find real people very interesting,” said the three-time Emmy Award nominee, who joined AXS TV as head of programming, development and multiplatform content in January 2020, where she’s responsible for original productions, acquisitions, on-camera talent development and content strategy.

That explains her initial interest in becoming a psychiatrist, although after taking organic chemistry and other premed courses at the University of Michigan, she switched to broadcast journalism and communications. You can see it in a career that in her early days took her from television news to The Jerry Springer Show to The Dating Game before she was brought to MTV by then-programming chief Brian Graden to work in series development. “To be honest, I didn’t know development was a job,” she said, adding that she loved “coming up with ideas then flipping on a producer hat and saying, ‘How do I make it happen?’”

Also: Wonder Women of Los Angeles 2022: Hollywood Heroes

(Years earlier, she’d made an audition tape to be a VJ that included her “talking to a statue of a lion,” a tape she swears “will never see the light of day.”)

Another thing she discovered in those early days in television was that “if there’s no room to continue developing, I’m going to get really bored,” Weidman said. “Shows like The Dating Game rely on formula and there’s no room for reinvention.”

She loved MTV until she found herself listening to NPR instead of a rock station in the car and knew she was done with thinking of ideas for a teen audience. “I’m always looking to grow,” she said, adding that after a stint at Sony Pictures Television doing development and seven years at the Style Network, her career shifted again. The network closed down right when she had a baby, and she used that time to reflect on her strengths and her interests. 

“As a producer, I can see the micro needs and can go through the checklist and make sure all the details happen,” she said. “But I’m able to step back and also look at the big picture. How does what I’m working on plug into the larger universe and brand?” 

Making the Digital Move

Blending that mindset with her desire to try something new, Weidman shifted her focus to the digital universe, working at such outlets as AwesomenessTV, Joyous and Clevver Media before settling in at AXS.

She looks at all those previous jobs as ideal building blocks. “Every step of my career has been about taking what I did previously and adding to it,” she said. “I know linear and I know digital.”

She now brings that expertise to building up the digital side of AXS, which she said had a website that previously looked like “a blog from 1995.” Heading a tiny team means she gets to be involved in almost every aspect of the job. 

“Sarah is one of the most collaborative people in content and production I’ve ever met,” said Frank Tanki, president, Sports & Music Group, Anthem Sports & Entertainment, which owns AXS. “She’s dogged and prepared and her energy and resourcefulness is contagious.”

Tanki also praised Weidman for remaining dedicated to the audience, talent and production team without ever losing sight of the bigger picture for the business and brand. 

“As a content person, I’m looking at the universe where the content can live and finding the best dispersion of all content for the network while also keeping in mind our carrier agreements and their restrictions,” she said. “I get to take a very macro view of content but also tunnel in as well.” 

For example, Weidman pointed to an ambush game show she’s launching called Parking Lot Payday. She came up with the idea but she also makes sure that each location agreement gets signed.

She has sought to attract younger and more female viewers without losing the core adult male audience by highlighting a wider and younger slate of musicians. She also developed programming strategy for AXS TV’s new direct-to-consumer platforms as well as video content for the network’s social platforms, and helped launch programming for AXS TV’s first-ever FAST channel, AXS TV NOW, and content for a YouTube channel (including the At Home and Social music performance series).

“This job is always an interesting challenge,” Weidman said. It ranges from being involved in FAST (free, ad-supported TV) channel deals to overseeing acquisitions, which helps Weidman find the right programming to match with AXS TV’s originals as she builds a schedule. “This adds whole new layers to my job, so I’m not getting bored.” ▪️

AXS TV has acquired the rights to A&E's reality series Wahlburgers, which will launch on the service February 27, AXS TV said.

The series, which ran on A&E from 2014-2019, takes viewers behind the scenes of one of the country’s most high-profile restaurant chains, as chef Paul Wahlberg works to build a burger empire with the help of his own personal entourage led by his brothers Mark and Donnie, and their beloved mother Alma.

AXS TV will run four hours of the series each Sunday night beginning February 27.

“The Wahlbergs are one of entertainment’s most beloved families, amassing loyal fans across the realms of films, food, television, and music,” said Sarah Weidman, head of programming, development and multi-platform content for AXS TV in a statement. “Despite the success they have achieved, they are still the same humble boys from Boston at heart, and that undeniable charm shines throughout the hit Wahlburgers series. This show is the perfect complement to our programming roster, and I am confident our viewers are going to enjoy watching it on Sunday nights.” ■ 

AXS TV on Saturday (Dec. 11) will air a live boxing card from Dubai as part of a new partnership deal between the network’s parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment and upstart boxing promotion company Probellum.

The event, Probellum: Revolution-World Championship Boxing Live From Dubai, will feature the co-main event bouts between IBF Flyweight titleholder Sunny Edwards and contender Jayson Mama, as well as WBO Bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero against Paul Butler, said AXS TV. 

Along with AXS TV, Anthem’s Fight Network will also air the fight. Fight Network will also air a Dec. 18 Probellum-promoted fight from England, according to Anthem officials. 

Also: Anthem Sports & Entertainment Acquires Gravitas for $73 Million

“Anthem has long been a major proponent of combat sports, and we are proud to join forces with Probellum to bring their inaugural Revolution event to boxing enthusiasts throughout the United States and Canada on AXS TV and Fight Network,” Anthem CEO and founder Leonard Asper said in a statement.. “From boxing and MMA, to professional wrestling and more, combat sports content has consistently ranked as one of our most popular programming offerings. We are honored to be part of two historic Probellum events, and look forward to sharing their world-class boxing brand with our viewers starting with Probellum: Revolution this Saturday.” ■ 

Anthem Sports & Entertainment said its networks will be sporting mustaches during November in support of Movember, the charity dedicated to men’s health.

The networks, AXS TV, HDNet Movies, GameTV, Fight Network and Game Plus, will feature special Movember content and public=service announcements.

Also Read: AXS TV, Movember Team Up To Promote Men's Health 

One hirsute highlight will be a series of Monday movies featuring mustachioed leading men. The films include Burt Reynolds in Malone, Tom Selleck in Quigley Down Under and Sam Elliot in Fatal Beauty on AXS TV; Kevin Kline and John Cleeese in A Fish Called Wanda, and Charles Bronson in The Mechanic on HDNet Movies; as well as Matthew McConaughey in Dazed and Confused and Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction on GameTV. 

“The Movember initiative has long served as a vital resource raising funds and awareness for every facet of men’s health,” said Len Asper, president and CEO of Anthem Sports & Entertainment. 

“Anthem is proud to be back again this year and further grow our partnership, broadcasting a diverse blend of fun and informative Movember-themed programming across all of our networks,” Asper said. “In recent times, especially, we have seen firsthand how important it to is to maintain both physical and mental health, and we hope that this month-long event will encourage and inspire our viewers to join us and take part in this global movement that has shed invaluable light on the most serious issues impacting men today.” 

During Movember, Anthem’s networks will air a series of Movember PSAs exploring different themes such as encouraging men to “Spot the Signs” and reach out to friends in need, empowering men to open up about their feelings and become “A Man of More Words.” 

The spots feature personal anecdotes from entertainers and influencers such as Jonathan Bennett, Logan Henderson, Matthew Santoro and Scott Sire. 

“We’re thrilled to once again have the support of AXS TV, HDnet Movies and GameTV. The movie line up will showcase some fun and iconic mustachioed films but also helps raise awareness about the serious issues around men’s health," said Mark Hedstrom, Movember’s U.S. executive director. “There’s still a lot of work to be done when it comes to men’s health, but we’re grateful to have partners committed to helping men around the globe live healthier lives.” 

Movember is also being supported by a number of major corporations and brands, including Philips Norelco, Pringles, Olly, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health and Top Golf. 

“Philips Norelco wants men to not only look their best, but also to feel their best both mentally and physically,” said Brett Bardsley, Philips Norelco marketing director. “The brand’s commitment to men goes beyond grooming. Our mission to improve the lives of men through purpose-oriented product development and meaningful innovation aligns perfectly with Movember’s mission to change the face of men’s health and empower men to live happier, healthier and longer lives.”

This will be the second year snack brand Pringles is supporting Movember. 

“We’re proud that Pringles is partnering with Movember to support their critical work in the U.S. We can all play a role in advocating for mental wellness, particularly given the toll the last 18 months has taken on everyone,” said Gareth Maguire, senior director of marketing for Pringles.

“We plan to use Mr. P and his iconic mustache to raise awareness and funds for Movember, while engaging our employees and partners in real conversations about mental health, and how we can all reach out and support our family, friends and neighbors,” Maguire said.

 AXS TV has secured all 84 episodes of the classic tattoo-based reality series LA Ink. 

The series, which aired on TLC from 2007-2011, will launch July 11 as part of the network's "Sunday Night Rocks" programming block, according to AXS TV executives. The series followed Kat Von D as she left Miami behind to open the High Voltage tattoo shop in Los Angeles. 

Read Also: AXS TV Sets Original Programming for Black Music Month

“Tattoos are synonymous with rock culture, and the way LA Ink combines the artform with Kat Von D’s inimitable style and iconic rockstar friends makes the series the perfect addition to our ‘Sunday Night Rocks’ lineup,'” said Sarah Weidman, Head of Original Programming, Development and Multi-Platform Content for AXS TV in a statement. “LA Ink was incredibly popular with fans and established Kat Von D as a pop culture sensation. Fans both old and new will enjoy rediscovering and reliving all the fun, drama, and noteworthy cameos that the series was known for—providing a fascinating look into tattoo artistry and getting viewers up close and personal to some of the biggest names in rock.”

AXS TV in June will recognize Black Music Month with several documentaries, specials and concerts running throughout the month.

Among the original programming premieres slated for Black Music Month are the June 2 debut of Jimi Hendrix: Trapped in Amber, a profile of the famed guitarist as told by some of the people who knew him the best, as well as the June 19 broadcast premiere of Tina Turner -- Live in Barcelona, capturing Turner’s 1990 music concert, according to network officials.

Other Black Music Month highlights include the June 6 Motown All-Stars, a countdown special of best music from the trailblazing Detroit music studio and weekly Wednesday profiles of such influential artists as Jay-Z (June 9), Prince (June 16), Kanye West (June 23) and Lenny Kravitz (June 30). 

“For this June’s African-American Music Appreciation Month, we wanted to celebrate and recognize the many legendary artists who have written music history, from rock and pop, to hip-hop, soul, funk, R&B and everything in-between,” said Sarah Weidman, Head of Original Programming, Development and Multi-Platform Content for AXS TV in a statement. “We’re putting the spotlight on just a few of these talented artists who have influenced and inspired generations of fans and fellow icons—crafting a dream lineup for music lovers featuring informative specials, powerhouse concerts, original series and so much more, airing all month long.”

Anthem Sports & Entertainment said it acquired Invicta Fight Championship, which features all-women mixed martial arts matches.

Invicta events will be televised live on Anthem’s AXS TV and Fight Network. 

The first Invicta FC on AXS TV event on May 21 will feature a world championship fight. It will be available digitally via AXS TV Now. Invicta matches previously streamed on Fight Pass, the UFC's digital OTT subscription service.

Shannon Knapp, who founded Invicta in 2021, will join Anthem’s executive team and will continue to spearhead the operation.

“We are very excited to acquire this uniquely positioned MMA promotion, adding a new content pillar to our combat sports portfolio as part of our overall strategy to transform Anthem into a leading global content company,” said Ed Nordholm, chief corporate officer at Anthem and president of its Sports Media Group. “What Shannon has accomplished with Invicta is one of the sport’s great success stories. She will play a vital role as a senior member on the Anthem executive team and as a shareholder in Anthem, and we look forward to helping her take Invicta to new heights.”

Financial terms were not announced. The acquisition include Invicta’s fast-paced Phoenix brand.

“This is a huge moment for Invicta and for women in the sport. Invicta FC was founded to give female mixed martial artists a platform where they could compete and prove the doubters wrong,” said Knapp.

“Now, as part of the Anthem portfolio and with shows on national television for the first time, Invicta’s platform will be bigger than ever, and more people will have the opportunity to see the world’s elite female athletes compete,” she said. “With Anthem’s backing, it’s going to be easier than ever for our fans to catch all the Invicta action and for new fans to find out exactly why Invicta is one of the world’s most exciting fight promotions.”

AXS TV will bring back its unscripted series The Big Interview With Dan Rather for its ninth season in April with a focus on musical families, the network said Friday.

The series, which features the veteran newsman as he profiles a diverse slate of artists and entertainers, debuts its six-episode season on April 14 featuring interviews with country music band Lady A’s Hillary Scott and her husband Chris Tyrrell, said AXS TV. The season’s focus on musical families also includes interviews with the Beastie Boys’s Adam Horovitz and wife Kathleen Hanna and with Creedence Clearwater Revival founder John Fogerty and his children, Shane, Tyler and Kelsy. 

The six-episode season also features profiles of Grammy winners Jason Isbell and wife Amanda Shires as well as rapper Lil Jon and his son Slade and R&B singer Michelle Branch and husband Patrick Carney.

Rather said in a statement: “It is a privilege and a pleasure to bring The Big Interview back for a ninth season. Doing this new slate of episodes was particularly interesting to me, as we got to explore the relationships inside musical families—from fathers and children, to husbands and wives. There are differences in generations and genre, but their passion for music and each other is deep, thought-provoking—and yes, sometimes inspiring.”

AXS TV and HDNET Movies will offer weekly programming blocks featuring action-themed movies in November as part of a campaign to raise awareness around men's health issues.

The campaign, in partnership with men's health advocacy group Movember, will feature a 10-film block of movies on HDNet Movies each Monday next month beginning Nov. 2 including such films as Breakheart Pass, Death Wish and Driven, said the network. 

Each Friday in November, AXS TV will offer a block of films including The Shadow Riders, Gator and Brewster's Millions, said the network. In addition, AXS TV will offer each Saturday of the month music programming including Alan Jackson: Small Town Southern Man, Carlos Santana Live At The 1982 US Festival and Rock Legends: ZZ Top.

Each block will feature Movember-created public service announcements exploring issues surrounding men's health.

“Movember is a vital resource bringing awareness to the major issues impacting men’s health,” said Frank Tanki, General Manager of AXS TV and HDNET Movies in a statement. “AXS TV and HDNET Movies are proud to partner with them for this special event, helping to raise funds and awareness for an important cause while providing much-needed entertainment celebrating some of cinema’s most famous facial hair. We hope our viewers will join us in supporting Movember as they fight to improve the health and lives of men across the world.”

A year after Anthem Sports and Entertainment purchased AXS TV from entrepreneur and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, the music channel is looking to hit all the right distribution and content notes under new general manager Frank Tanki. 

The Viacom vet assumed operations of AXS TV and HDNet Movies in June, and is positioning AXS TV to fill a void for music programming with shows such as documentaries Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams, which tells the band’s history through interviews, archival footage and performances from its global Head Full of Dreams tour; and Hype!, profiling the 1990s grunge music scene; and with the return of such brand-defining shows as The Big Interview with Dan Rather. Tanki spoke with senior content producer, programming R. Thomas Umstead. Here’s an edited transcript of that conversation.

As an independent network, how do you see AXS TV navigating an evolving television environment? The industry is evolving … it feels like every day, there’s a new dynamic and a new challenge. But we feel that the music category is still very, very valuable to a linear audience. I feel like that white space plus the investments that we’re making in original content has us well-positioned for growth. We’ve had a lot of good conversations on the linear side — we just did a recent renewal with the NCTC [National Cable Television Cooperative] that I think is a sign that we’ve got good things to come. On the digital side, we’re talking to literally every player and we’ve received a lot of great feedback while we continue shoring up our linear distribution. 

How does AXS TV differentiate itself in a very crowded TV environment? I feel like there is definitely a white space that is underserved in linear cable TV and in the music space. We like to offer great music storytelling, whether that be through live concerts or more behind the scenes stories. That’s the heart of who we are and where we want to be. I think we’re just going to sharpen it a bit more.

Where does HDNet Movies fit in Anthem’s cable network strategy? It’s got a very loyal core base on linear TV. If you look at movie ratings on some cable networks, they’re higher than they’ve ever been. So we think it plays a really important part of our portfolio. We've got a great lineup of movies from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, and we’re going to look at different opportunities to pitch and catch content between the two brands. 

AXS TV also televises Impact Wrestling. Do you see the service getting more involved in live sports in the future? The answer is a firm yes. AXS has a long history with pro wrestling and MMA, and I also have a little background with MMA given my days at Spike TV and Bellator, which is still a very important part of ViacomCBS today. I think we’ll have a defined enough home for music that we can put a couple of other things under our roof. Working with Anthem, which owns the Fight Network, we’ll look for ways to be really smart about what we can add to the sports side of our portfolio. 

What’s the key for brands that want to survive the current evolution of the television industry? There's a major evolution happening right now. I remember a moment in time earlier in my career where we were debating, is [digital] an evolution or a phase? Now we know it’s an evolution, so we have to embrace that and be more nimble with how and where we distribute our content. We all have to look for new opportunities. For us, linear is still our bread and butter, but I think it all comes down to the communication that we’re having with our audience. It’s more of a direct, two-way street now, and the brands that will succeed are those that are smartly defined and are laser-focused on what the white space is while continuing to have a dialogue with their audience.

AXS TV will debut several broadcast premiere music documentaries in October as part of its Docs That Rock programming block.

The network on Oct. 14 will premiere Coldplay: A Head Full Of Dreams, which tells the classic rock band's history through interviews with band members, unseen archival footage and live performances from the band's A Head Full of Dreams global tour, said the network. 

A week later, the network will premiere Hype!, a documentary which takes a look at  the legendary grunge music scene through rare performances from such bands as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, The Melvins, Soundgarden and Mudhoney. 

On Oct. 28, the network debuts Mystify: Michael Hutchence, which chronicles the late INXS icon's life through previously unseen private footage, home videos, and insightful interviews. 

AXS TV will develop a new documentary series that will look into questions surrounding some of history's greatest musical artists. 

The six-episode series, Music's Greatest Mysteries, will debut later this fall and will investigate infamous myths which have come to define the music industry throughout the decades. The series will look into such questions as Why Did Michael Jackson And Prince Feud?, Was Elvis A Narc?, and Is Avril Lavigne Really Dead?, as well as addressing The Conspiracies Of Backmasking, The Myths Of  KISS, and The Sad Story Of “Friends In Low Places,” according to network officials. 

“As AXS TV continues to evolve and expand, we are committed to creating new and original reality and lifestyle music programming,” said Sarah Weidman, Head of Original Programming, Development and Multi-Platform Content for AXS TV in a statement. “Music’s Greatest Mysteries gives viewers an in-depth look at the myths and legends that have rocked the industry. Featuring some of the biggest names in music, packed with expert commentary, and exploring compelling stories both known and unknown, Music’s Greatest Mysteries promises to reveal new tales to even the most seasoned music fans. I am excited to share this new series with our viewers when it debuts later this year.”

AXS TV will serve as the exclusive television outlet for the 2020 Farm Aid benefit music festival premiering Sept. 26, the network announced Monday (Aug. 31). 

The three-hour Farm Aid 2020 On the Road virtual concert, which looks to raise funds and awareness for America’s hardworking farmers, will feature new and classic performances from more than 20 artists including John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews, Black Pumas, Bonnie Raitt, Boz Scaggs and Willie Nelson and The Boys, said the network.

“AXS TV is proud to continue our strong partnership with Farm Aid, in support of their invaluable efforts to benefit and uplift America’s vital farming community,” said Lucia McCalmont, VP of programming and scheduling, AXS TV in a statement. “Our viewers look forward to these exclusive Farm Aid broadcasts each year, and we are excited to have the opportunity to share the 2020 virtual at-home event with our audience, bringing them more of the up-close coverage, iconic artists, and unforgettable performances that only Farm Aid and AXS TV can provide.” 

AXS TV said that Lzzy Hale, the frontwoman of the band Halestorm, will make her TV hosting debut when the rock and culture series returns for its third season on Oct. 4.

“A Year in Music presents insightful and in-depth profiles of the music and moments that shaped the world and we are thrilled to welcome Lzzy Hale as the host in its third season,” said Sarah Weidman, head of original programming, development and multiplatform content, at AXS TV. “Her love for music is unparalleled, and her vibrant and down-to-earth personality has earned her a loyal legion of fans—making her the perfect choice to guide viewers along on this unique journey. She is the epitome of rock music, and a fantastic addition to our network!”

The series looks at some of music’s most definitive years, with each episode putting a spotlight on a different era of music, highlighting the year’s hottest bands, biggest albums, surprising breakups and monumental breakthroughs through the lens of the political and social happenings of the time.

Season three will examine 2001 following the 9/11 attacks; 1998 when The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was released and MTV’s TRL was a thing; 2008, when Lady Gaga, Adele, Katy Perry, Rihanna and Beyonce emerged; 1986 when We Are the World inspired; and 1996 when Tupac Shakur died amid rap rivalries.

“Music is a true passion of mine, and I have always been intrigued by how it so perfectly reflects the social and historical happenings of the time in which it is created,” Hale said. “Hosting A Year in Music is a dream come true for me, as it allows me to both discuss and learn about music’s impact on history and then share that knowledge with music lovers across the world. I am grateful to AXS TV for this incredible opportunity and I cannot wait for it to air!”

Prior to making her debut on AXS TV, Hale will sit down with SiriusXM on-air personality and Esquire Editor-At-Large Dave Holmes for an exclusive interview, airing as part of the online edition of the network’s At Home and Social series on Friday, Aug. 28.

A Year in Music is produced in-house by AXS TV, with Stephen Stormer serving as executive producer.

Anthem Sports & Entertainment named Frank Tanki as general manager of its AXS TV and HDNet Movies.

Tanki, who spent 10 years at Viacom, has been working with Anthem on growth plans and strategic direction for the channels for several months. As GM, he will oversee business strategy and day-to-day operations. He will also have a role in working with AXS TV’s current distributors and developing new content distribution opportunities.

Anthem acquired AXS and HDNet Movies last year. The networks were managed on a temporary basis by Anthony Cicione, who is senior VP of Anthem and runs its Game TV in Canada.

“Anthem has spent the last several months investing in research, content and the market opportunities for these two channels. Having Frank step in to lead the evolution of AXS TV and HDNet Movies is a significant addition to our executive team,” said Len Asper, CEO of Anthem. 

“He has an unprecedented track record of success and leadership at such outlets as Nickelodeon, CMT, Spike and Turner. That, coupled with his wide-ranging skills in revenue and distribution growth, channel branding, and digital media make him incredibly well rounded and capable of guiding both networks into the next generation of media,” Asper said. “The experience he brings will be vital in establishing AXS TV as the premier destination globally for premium music programming, and HDNet Movies as the leading force for blockbuster films and classic favorites.” 

At Viacom, Tanki was most recently general manager for TV Land and CMT. Before that he was executive VP, brand marketing and creative, at Spike TV and a senior VP at Nickelodeon. Previously he was director, promotions marketing, for Turner’s Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. He began his career at Jujamcyn Theaters.

"This is an incredible opportunity to help lead AXS TV and HDNet  Movies forward into the future,” said Tanki. “I was fortunate enough to work with Len and many of the talented members on the AXS TV and Anthem teams over the past few months, getting a first-hand look at the amazing assets in place—not only at AXS TV and HDNet Movies, but across the broader Anthem spectrum. AXS TV is already such a great brand and I look forward to driving new areas of growth with both partners and consumers alike, as we work to build best-in-class partnerships and further establish our strong relationship with the fans."

Anthem Sports & Entertainment networks AXS TV and HDNet Movies have a renewed agreement with the National Cable Television Cooperative providing access to more than 750 small to mid-sized cable and broadband operators around the country.

AXS TV programming includes coverage of concert events, Dan Rather's Big Interview show and, more recently, Daryl Hall's Live From Daryl's House. 

Related: Anthem Buys Majority Stake In AXS TV

“This important agreement with the NCTC presents us with a valuable opportunity to bring AXS TV and HDNET MOVIES’ exclusive premium content to even more viewers across the country,” Randy Brown, Senior Vice President of Distribution for Anthem, said in a statement. “AXS TV is perfectly suited to music and pop culture fans, providing an unprecedented lineup of classic concerts, exclusive live performances, celebrity interviews and professional wrestling from the industry’s top talent, while HDNET MOVIES has something for film buffs of all ages to enjoy with a catalog of beloved blockbusters and cinematic classics. We look forward to continuing our partnership with NCTC members and delivering high quality content they cannot find anywhere else, for many years to come.”

“We are pleased to have extended our agreement with AXS TV and HDNET MOVIES,” said Judy Meyka, Executive Vice President, of Programming, NCTC. “We are excited to build on this successful partnership with Anthem as we move forward.”

AXS TV Saturday will air the live Comedy Gives Back Laugh Aid event, the network announced Thursday. 

The four-hour event, which will raise money and awareness for an emergency relief fund benefiting working comedians who have been financially impacted due to the spread of COVID-19, will feature such comedians as Dave Attell, Joel Kim Booster, Bill Burr, Patton Oswalt, Ray Romano, Iliza Shlesinger Bob Saget and David Spade.

YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Twitch will also stream the live event. 

“Now more than ever, the world could use a little levity,” said Sarah Weidman, head of original programming, development and multi-platform content for AXS TV said in a statement. “This is a great opportunity for viewers across the country to sit back, relax, and let the country’s top comics entertain them with a night of laughs that we hope will provide some joy, while raising funds for an important cause. AXS TV is proud to continue to offer live simulcast events such as Comedy Gives Back Laugh Aid, and we look forward to sharing them with our audience.”

In addition to broadcasting the event, AXS TV is supporting Comedy Gives Back Laugh Aid, providing tech support and studio operations in collaboration with Laugh Lounge.

AXS TV and HDNet Movies are being offered to distributors as a free preview from now through May, owner Anthem Sports & Entertainment said. That allows cable, satellite and other pay-TV providers to offer the channels for free to non-subscribers. AT&T's DirecTV and U-verse have taken up the offer, Anthem said, as has the National Cable Television Cooperative. Network free previews have started to proliferate during the coronavirus outbreak that has prompted millions of people around the country to stay at home. 

Some upcoming programming on the channels includes the Jeddah World Fest on AXS TV on April 5, featuring artists such as Future (pictured), and  a “Biopic Music Marathon” on HDNet Movies in April. 

Related: Charter Expands Showtime, Epix to All Video Customers Through April 19

“During challenging times such as these, music and films can be comforting,” Anthem senior VP of distribution Randy Brown said in a statement. “They help people take their minds off of their fears and concerns for a few hours, and instill a sense of normalcy to an otherwise unconventional situation. With live events being postponed for the foreseeable future and movie theatres closing due to safety concerns, entertainment is becoming increasingly scarce. Because of this, we are pleased to offer free previews of our two most popular channels—AXS TV and HDNET MOVIES—to all distributors starting now through May. We hope that viewers across the country will enjoy our signature high-quality content, and find some solace in reconnecting with the films and artists they love."

Photo provided by Anthem Sports & Entertainment.

Dan rather interviews key entertainment figures on The Big Interview on AXS TV, and the season’s lineup may surprise some. Rather, former anchor of the CBS Evening News, sits with Brian Johnson of AC/DC, Alice Cooper and Cheap Trick, among others.

“It’s a real education for me, and a great pleasure,” Rather said. “I find myself really interested in sitting down with them.”

Rather turns 88 this month. He called Alice Cooper “really intelligent,” and was pumped to meet Ringo Starr for the first time.

And then there’s Bret Michaels, who sang power ballad “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” with Poison back in 1988. Rather went to Michaels’ home in Arizona. He may not be a giant Poison fan, but a couple of Rather’s staffers are, and briefed him on everything he should know en route to Arizona.

“Bret was so friendly and so hospitable,” Rather said. “He couldn’t have been more down to earth.”

That runs Oct. 23. Then it’s Cooper, Little Big Town, Bob Costas, David Byrne, the band America, Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston, Yes frontman Jon Anderson and Alabama.

“I love doing this,” Rather said.

Speaking of rocking and rolling, Katz Networks’s Court TV is humming along five months after rebooting. On Oct. 28, Court TV debuts in several giant markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philly and Dallas.

“It’s a huge deal,” Vinnie Politan, lead anchor on Court TV, said. “It means a large number of folks are able to get back to watching Court TV.”

The network goes “gavel to gavel,” it says, on the giant court stories of the day. Politan was on the initial Court TV until it shifted to truTV in 2008. He co-hosted Bloom & Politan with Lisa Bloom.

“I’m kind of like a legacy anchor,” he said.

These days, Politan hosts Closing Arguments with Vinnie Politan. “Looking into the lens,” he said, “is like looking into the jury box.”

Which court cases have his attention? Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer who went home to the wrong apartment, and killed the man, Botham Jean, inside. The clip of Jean’s brother Brandt asking Guyger for a hug went viral.

“I’ve been covering this stuff for decades,” said Politan. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Harvey Weinstein’s case next year will make a few headlines too.

Much has changed since Court TV went off the air. Social media allows viewers to weigh in on cases in real time. The cable news networks, Politan said, mostly avoid court to focus on politics.

“We are filling this huge void,” he said. “True crime has never been as popular as it is right now.”

About a week after announcing its purchase of a majority stake in AXS TV and HD Net Movies, Anthem Sports and Entertainment said it has hired two industry veterans -- Randy Brown and Peter Cohen -- as senior vice presidents.

Brown was named SVP of Distribution, and will be responsible for driving and supporting Anthem’s strategic relationships across all platforms including linear, on demand, digital and mobile. Brown has had leadership roles with ESPN, Tennis Channel, Outdoor Channel and most recently served as EVP of Distribution at OneWorld Sports.

Cohen was named SVP programming strategy & content development and will develop strategic programming initiatives and digital opportunities for Anthem's content, production and live events across multiple platforms. Cohen has held senior management roles at HBO, MTV, Billboardlive, The Box Music Network, MuchMusic and CNN International. Both men had served as strategic advisers to Anthem in the past.

“Randy and Peter have each achieved a high degree of professional success throughout their respective careers, and I am delighted to announce they are joining the Anthem team and will continue expanding Anthem’s rapidly growing revenue base and content portfolio,” said Anthem CEO Leonard Asper in a statement. “They are key members of what is evolving as an extraordinary management team that will help accelerate our growth and expansion into the future.”

Anthem agreed to purchase a majority stake in AXS TV and HDNet Movies on Sept. 9. In addition, AXS founder Mark Cuban and entertainment personality and producer Steve Harvey hold minority stakes in the combined company.

The addition of AXS TV beefs up Anthem’s portfolio of sports programming -- like Impact Wrestling and Fight Network -- with WOW: The Women of Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling -- and adds shows like The Big Interview with Dan Rather and music content like TrunkFest with Eddie Trunk, AXS Concerts and Rock and Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar.

Anthem Sports and Entertainment founder and CEO Len Asper found himself in a bit of a firestorm Wednesday. The day after he signed what is so far the biggest deal yet for his fledgling sports and music company -- the purchase of a majority stake in AXS TV and HDNet Movies-- reports spread quickly claiming the deal gutted the acquired companies' employee ranks, a contention the Anthem chief denies.

After news of the deal broke, there was a smattering of talk that as many as 40 people at AXS would lose their jobs as a result, a number that tended to escalate as more people got into the mix. According to some articles, the actual number of AXS employees without jobs could be as high as 80, when contract employees and freelancers were counted.

Asper confirmed the 40 layoffs in an interview, but added that it included contract and freelance workers. He estimated that AXS had between 130 and 140 employees before the deal closed, and now has about 100. Combined, he said Anthem and AXS currently have about 210 employees and that there are no further layoffs planned.

Asper added that most of the layoffs were in positions that were duplicated at Anthem and that the bulk occurred in Denver. At its Los Angeles location, four employees were let go, while eight still remain. He added that the layoffs represented less than 20% of the workforce.

Anthem held Town Hall meetings with employees in Los Angeles and Denver to explain the workforce reductions, Asper said. 

“We were very clear with the staff. We spoke to the staff yesterday,” Asper said. “We did it all at once.”

It was expected that employees that were terminated received substantial severance packages from AXS.

Asper also disputed reports that AXS TV closed its Dallas office -- he claimed that prior to the deal closing AXS had about a dozen workers in the Dallas area that were working from home or occupying space at a facility owned by AXS founder Mark Cuban in the city. But he declined to say how many remain.

“Some are staying and some are not,” Asper said.

In an email message, Cuban declined to comment. But other sources familiar with AXS said that the financial blow to many employees was likely lightened by bonuses Cuban issued company-wide in the summer. Those sources said the bonuses amounted to more than $5 million in total. While it couldn’t be determined if every employee received a bonus, sources said that most did. And though the payouts were likely based on each employee’s base salary and probably varied widely, at $5 million, each one of AXS TV’s 140 employees would have received an average bonus of $35,714.

A day after it announced its deal to sell a majority stake to Canadian programmer Anthem Sports and Entertainment, AXS TV has laid off at least 40 employees, including most of the workers in its Dallas office as the ink barely dried on the transaction.

Anthem agreed to buy a majority stake in AXS TV and HDNet Movies, two cable networks owned by internet guru Mark Cuban, for an undisclosed sum on Sept. 9. AXS TV and HDNet Movies have about 100 employees. But according to The Wrap, quoting Anthem spokesman Bob Gold of PR firm Bob Gold & Associates, about 40 people were let go, mostly in redundant positions to those at Anthem and that those layoffs were in the works for about six months.

Multichannel News had attempted Tuesday to confirm rumors that AXS TV had let go about 40 employees, but Anthem and its PR firm would not confirm the number at the time.  

The Wrap reported that in addition to most of the Dallas office being let go, about one-quarter of employees at AXS TV offices in Los Angeles were jettisoned, as were most of its team in Denver.

At least two relatively high profile executives were on that list -- long-time cable publicist Cindy Ronzoni and New Japan Wrestling executive producer and AXS TV VP of business and legal affairs Adam Swift, who tweeted about their departures yesterday.

[embed]https://twitter.com/cindyronzoni/status/1171211398044475392[/embed]

Wrestling fans have also been on top of the transaction, with wrestling.com citing the closure of the Dallas office Tuesday. 

[embed]https://twitter.com/AdamMSwift/status/1171520962702897153[/embed]

The Wrap reported that about one-quarter of employees at AXS TV offices in Los Angeles were let go, and most of its team in Denver.

[embed]https://twitter.com/marc_raimondi/status/1171558035791024131[/embed]

AXS TV in October will profiles the lives and deaths of some of music’s most influential artists as part of a new series, The Day The Rock Star Died.

The 15-part series, which debuts Oct. 2, examines such artists as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Whitney Houston, with a focus on what made these artists so incredible and what makes their art so enduring, said network officials.

The series will precede the return of AXS’ news/interview series The Big Interview with veteran journalist Dan Rather.

“AXS TV is dedicated to providing viewers with the absolute best in classic rock programming, and we are proud to expand our growing roster of quality music-themed programming even further with the addition of The Day The Rock Star Died,” said Lucia McCalmont, vice president of program acquisitions and scheduling, AXS TV in a statement. 

AXS TV will air content from the women’s pro wrestling outfit WOW-Women of Wrestling beginning in 2019, according to network officials.

AXS TV will air telecasts from the wrestling company – owned by Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss – beginning in first-quarter 2019, the network said. The all-female pro wrestling bouts are currently streamed on YouTube. 

MGM Television and Digital Group president Mark Burnett and David McLane, creator of women’s wrestling company Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling – which served as the inspiration for Netflix’s original series GLOW – will also be involved in the project, according to AXS TV.

Related: Season Two of ‘Glow’ on Netflix June 29

“I knew of Jeanie’s passion for elevating women’s wrestling for several years, so when Mark Burnett told me what MGM Studios has planned for WOW, I decided to get involved,” AXS TV chair and CEO Mark Cuban said in a statement. “AXS TV’s long-term success inside the squared circle and broadcasting New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) makes airing WOW a natural fit.” 

AXS TV will remember the late Alan Thicke this Friday with a re-broadcast of an appearance the actor made on the network’s original series Tom Green Live (video clip).

The hour-long 2014 interview features comedian Green interviewing Thicke about his life and career. Thicke died Monday of a heart attack at age 69.

Thicke was best known by TV viewers for his role as Jason Seaver in the 1980’s comedy Growing Pains. More recently, Thicke appeared in Netflix’s comedy series Fuller House and starred in a reality series Unusually Thicke on Pop network. Season two had recently finished airing on Pop, which is expected to air tribute programming soon. Pop president Brad Schwartz said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened to hear of Alan's passing.  He was a part of our Pop family and was a tremendous talent. He was also for all who knew him, an amazing father and a true gentleman. We had the privilege to work with America's Favorite Dad and his loss is one that is deeply felt.”

The media is still trying to figure out how they were so wrong about predicting Donald Trump’s historic election as president of the United States.

Much of the media had Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton easily ascending to the office of the presidency, only to eat crow when Trump shocked the world on Election Day.

But veteran TV journalist Dan Rather foresaw Trump’s potential ascension from real estate mogul and reality TV star to the most powerful position in the free world. In an interview I conducted with Rather this past January during the Television Critics Association Winter press tour before the first Republican primary vote for Trump was cast, the current host of AXS TV’s The Big Interview told me that Trump’s ability to take advantage of the media and his unconventional outreach to a segment of America virtually ignored by both the Republicans and the Democrats could lead him to the White House.  

Below is Rather’s fortuitous assessment of Trump’s political success: 

Sling TV is beefing up its progamming lineup, with the launch of three new channels to its Sling Orange and Sling Blue packages.

According to a blog post, Sing TV has added GSN (formerly Game Show Network), music channel AXS TV and movie channel HDNet Movies.

GSN, which offers classic game shows and new programming like Hellevator, Skin Test and Idiotest, is now part of the Comedy Plus Extra add-on package on both Sling Orange and Sling Blue for an additional $5 per month. AXS TV, which airs concerts, MMA fights, stand-up comedy and music-oriented programming like X-Factor UK is now part of the Sling Orange and Sling Blue core services.

HDNet Movies, which offers uncut and commercial-free films like E.T.: The Extraterrestrial, The Vanishing and The Sentinel, is now part of the Hollywood Extra add-on package, available to Sling Blue and Sling Orange customers at $5 per month.

TV networks are giving classic music fans a chance to bust out their platform shoes, parachute pants, leg warmers and bandanas.

AXS TV tonight (Aug. 11) will debut AXS TV Concerts Hosted by Mark Cuban, a new weekly concert series featuring live performances from such popular 60s, 70s and 80s bands as The Village People, The Monkees, Bret Michaels and KC and the Sunshine Band.

Tomorrow (Aug. 12), Netflix will premiere its drama The Get Down, its ode to the late 1970s hip hop, punk and disco scene in the Bronx. Hopefully the Baz Luhmann-produced series will dance to a more successful beat than HBO’s series Vinyl, an homage to 70s pop/rock music that missed a note with viewers earlier this year. HBO canceled it after initially renewing the series for a second season following the premiere.

Related:Trailer for Netfix's 'The Get Down'

Even MTV has returned to its classic music roots, having relauched the VH1 Classic network into MTV circa 1980-2000. The new MTV Classic channel debuted Aug. 1 by offering the same programming MTV aired during its first hour on air -- 35 years ago.

Among reruns from classic MTV scripted and reality shows like Beavis and Butthead, MTV Classic will also feature vintage MTV Unplugged performances featuring such performers as Bob Dylan, Alice in Chains, Erykah Badu, Oasis, Neil Young and Nirvana.

Viewers have already boogied this summer to ABC’s limited series Greatest Hits, which brought back artists like Boyz II Men, The Backstreet Boy, Wilson Phillips, New Edition, En Vogue, Nelly and Rick Springfield to perform their biggest hits from the 1980s-early 2000s. The series drew a respectable average of nearly 4 million viewers during its six-week run that began in June.

With the country still struggling through a turbulent summer, and an uncertain and potentially unstable few months ahead, a dose of nostalgic, comfort music on TV may serve as a welcome respite for viewers.

Ultimate Fighting Championship’s $4 billion sale to talent company WME-IMG has delivered a powerful financial and brand-building punch to UFC as well as the wider mixed-martial-arts sports category, industry observers said.

The deal, the most expensive purchase of a sports franchise in history, completes a journey begun in 2001 when Zuffa LLC, owned by brothers Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta as well as UFC president Dana White, purchased the then-struggling franchise from Semaphore Entertainment Group for $2 million. At the time, UFC was limited to pay-per-view distribution and was outlawed by many states that considered MMA fighting too violent, but the Fertittas and White slowly created a franchise that now is considered a legitimate pro sport alongside boxing and has strong appeal with millennials.

“Nobody involved in the UFC could have imagined that the franchise would be valued at $4 billion,” said Bas Rutten, UFC Hall of Fame fighter and co-host of AXS TV’s mixed-martial-arts series Inside MMA. “The sale will solidify the UFC, and more people will now be interested in the UFC because they heard about the deal and want to check it out.”

Currently, UFC is in the midst of a multiyear television deal with Fox Sports that expires in 2018. Live UFC events televised by Fox and FS1 have delivered knockout ratings for the networks — thus far in 2016, UFC on Fox fights have averaged a combat sports high of 2.6 million viewers, while Fight Night bouts on FS1 have averaged 1.1 million viewers.

“We’re happy that the hard work and value created by Lorenzo, Frank and Dana has been rewarded,” Fox Sports president and chief operating officer Eric Shanks said regarding UFC’s sale. “We have been thrilled to be a partner on the ride and are big believers in the sport and the stars that have been created. We’re looking forward to beginning the next chapter with [WME] and Dana.”

The deal was also celebrated by owners of other mixed-martial-arts franchises who believe the $4 billion UFC purchase price also builds more value for their franchises and the MMA sport itself.

“It just shows that this industry can be a very profitable one if done properly, and there are people that want to invest in MMA,” said Scott Coker, CEO of Bellator MMA, which is owned by Viacom and offers live MMA events on Spike TV. “To see a number like that is great because the credibility and respectability of MMA is finally coming to the forefront.”

AXS TV founder Mark Cuban will host a summer-long, live music concert series that will feature performances from such iconic groups as The Monkees and the Village People.

The series, AXS TV Concerts Hosted by Mark Cuban will debut Aug. 11 and will air every Thursday through Sept. 8, said network officials. The concerts, filmed at Dallas’ The  Bomb Factory, will launch with the Monkees, followed by The Village People (Aug. 18), Bret Michaels (Aug. 25), KC and the Sunshine Band (Sept. 1) and Bad Company (Sept. 8).

“With this exclusive series, I wanted to craft a fun live concert event, giving viewers the best seat in the house to experience these legendary acts,” said Cuban in a statement.  “From disco and funk to classics and metal, there’s truly something here for everyone to enjoy, as we send summer out on a high note with some of the most beloved anthems of all-time.” 

The shocking and untimely death of Prince has inspired more programmers to schedule tributes or specials related to the Purple Rain artist. 

READ MORE: Cable Networks, Fans, Celebs React to the Death of Prince | MTV Acknowledges Prince's Passing During Upfront

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network will re-air one of the music legend's most notable television interviews, from The Oprah Winfrey Show (pictured) in 1996, on Saturday, April 23, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on OWN.  In what was the first interview following his iconic name change, Oprah Winfrey chats with the artist about his musical genius, lifestyle, soul mate and future in music (video preview). She visits Prince’s personal recording studio at Paisley Park in Minneapolis, where Prince played a few bars of "Purple Rain" for her on his purple piano. 

TV One tonight (April 21) from 8-10 p.m. ET has secheduled a Roland Martin-hosted live program, A News One Now Special: Prince Remembered. “Prince is such an iconic figure in our community. There is no way we could not do a primetime special on this legendary musician,” Martin said in a statement. “I met, admired, and absolutely love his music. There is no better way to pay tribute to his life and legacy than with a News One Now special on TV One.” Scheduled guests include another legendary singer, Aretha Franklin (Chaka Khan had been previously announced but is no longer participating); Cedric The Entertainer; Londell McMillan, publisher (The Source) and attorney for Prince; Russ Parr, radio DJ, film director, writer, actor and television personality; Peter Himmelman, a singer-songwriter that came up with Prince in Minnesota; Cori Murray, entertainment director at Essence magazine; Full Force, the R&B group. TV One also will encore an episode of Unsung featuring Sheila E., Prince’s former protégé, collaborator and ex-fiancée, throughout the weekend.

VH1 -- sister network to MTV, which Thursday night paid tribute to the iconic performer at its upfront in New York -- kicked off on-air remembrances by airing Prince's iconic movie "Purple Rain" at 5:30 p.m. ET, the first of what will be several airings over the weekend. VH1 also planned a Prince music video block starting at 8 p.m. 

READ MORE: MTV Acknowledges Prince's Passing During Upfront.

AXS TV said it would celebrate the life and legacy of the genre-defying Prince with a tribute block on Saturday, April 23, featuring the Prince episode of AXS TV’s Rock Legends at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT, and the television premiere of the acclaimed documentary Slave Trade: How Prince Re-Made The Music Business at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.  The network noted that, with his inimitable style and fearless blending of rock, R&B, soul, funk, hip-hop, disco, pop and more, Prince cemented his position as one of music’s most innovative figures. Rock Legends: Prince will re-air Monday, April 25, at 7 p.m. ET and Tuesday, April 26 at 8 p.m. ET. Slave Trade will will be broadcast again on Monday, April 25, at 11 p.m. ET and Tuesday, April 26, at 9 p.m. ET.

Fuse will honor Prince during tonight’s special Dearly Beloved, premiering at 7 p.m. ET/PT and repeating at 11 p.m. ET/PT. This one-hour Prince music-video tribute takes viewers through music history with The Purple One who will never be forgotten, the network said. Dearly Beloved will air throughout Friday, April 22, as well. 

Cable networks CMT and AXS TV will pay tribute to legendary country music singer Merle Haggard, who passed away earlier today, with special programming airing over the next few days.

CMT tonight will air a special, CMT Remembers Merle Haggard, in tribute to the country star, who died Wednesday on his birthday at 79 years of age. The special will feature never-before-seen footage and interviews, vintage performance clips and commentary from Haggard himself as well as some of country music’s biggest stars, including Miranda Lambert, Toby Keith, Florida Georgia Line, Vince Gill, Wynonna Judd, Dwight Yoakam, Brooks & Dunn and Bobby Bare.

Tomorrow, CMT and CMT Music will launch an all-day tribute featuring Haggard’s greatest songs and videos,network officials said.  

“Merle Haggard’s achievements must be counted among the greatest in all of popular music history, not just country music,” Brian Philips, president of CMT, said. "His poetic and melodic genius, and of course his indelible, influential voice, will live forever. CMT will honor our friend accordingly."

AXS TV Friday (April 8) will offer a special airing of its series The Big Interview, featuring Dan Rather's 2013 interview with Haggard, AXS officials said. In addition, the network on Friday will air the 2004 concert Merle Haggard-Live at Billy Bob’s Texas, which features Haggard singing several of his most popular songs, including "Ol’ Country Singer," Natural High" and his cover of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," the network said. 

This past weekend's finale of the current season of The X Factor UK airs tonight on AXS TV -- and an x-tra attraction is guest appearances from Coldplay (recently tapped to perform during halftime of Super Bowl 50), One Direction and top-selling singer Adele (whose NBC special also airs tonight).

AXS TV, founded by Mark Cuban, is completing the second of a three-season deal to re-air the FremantleMedia hit 24 hours after episodes air on ITV in the United Kingdom. Here, that means Sunday and Monday night in primetime.

AXS TV officials say audience has been building this season for the talent-competition import, which features Simon Cowell and Rita Ora among the judges. Its AXS TV run so far peaked with an Oct. 25 telecast this season filmed at Cowell's home in the South of France and featuring Louis Tomlinson of One Direction, the network said, drawing 370,000 average viewers over seven days of live and recorded viewing. It's the network's top-rated show for two seasons running.

The show generated some 39 hours of primetime content and "it’s just continued to dominate our ratings," Michele M. Dix, senior vice president, programming and development, said today. "We’ve seen great connection socially," using the #UKintheUSA hashtag, she added. AXS TV upped the ante this season by adding the companion show The Xtra Factor.

As for numbers, network officials said the total audience this season is approximately 300,000 viewers on average on a live plus seven day basis, citing Rentrak Essentials data. The show has seen a gain of nearly 15%, again on an L7 basis, among the 18- to 24-year-old demographic. And it has been viewed by nearly 10 million unique households in its 44-million-household base this season, officials said.

For AXS TV, she said, "it's just been a tremendous win."

The season finale airs tonight at 8 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. Central (5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on West Coast).