Despite the fact that ratings have been in decline and hovering around one million viewers per episode, with the occasional bump after major events like Bound for Glory, TNA and Spike TV have come to an agreement on a new multi-year deal to continue their "strategic partnership."
From the press release:
Spike TV and TNA Entertainment have agreed upon a multi-year extension on their strategic partnership, maintaining Spike TV as the exclusive U.S. television home of the emerging sports-entertainment property.
The deal was announced today jointly by Kevin Kay, Spike TV President and Dixie Carter, TNA Entertainment President. TNA wrestling debuted on Spike TV in July, 2005. Over the last seven years, the ratings for TNA's "IMPACT Wrestling" have grown from an average of 700,000 viewers at launch to nearly two million today.
"Dixie Carter and her team at TNA have done a phenomenal job in developing stars for an exciting, high-action brand that resonates with Spike's audience," said Kay. "We are excited to further our partnership and will continue to build and invigorate the franchise together."
"We are thrilled that Spike TV will be IMPACT Wrestling's home for years to come," said Carter. "The dedication that Kevin Kay and the network have shown us in building our brand is what makes this announcement even more meaningful for me. And look for some exciting things to happen on IMPACT in the near future."
It should be noted that TNA actually is one of the highest rated programs on Spike TV, which gives it a fair amount of leverage. But it's not exactly advertiser friendly, at least not in the sense officials would like it to be.
Nonetheless, this new deal ensures TNA will stay alive for the near future. Now if they could just get out of that Impact Zone in Orlando.