Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has inked a live event development deal with Spike TV, the basic cable network announced Tuesday during it’s Upfront presentation in New York.
The “Furious 7” star and Dany Garcia of $7 Buck Productions are teaming to create and produce a variety of inspirational content for Spike TV. The programming will range from live broadcasts of sports initiatives to events centered around supporting the U.S. troops.
Co-founded by Johnson and producing partner Dany Garcia, $7 Bucks Productions has several television and film projects to its name, including HBO’s “Ballers,” TNT’s “Wake Up Call,” Universal’s “The Janson Directive” and Relativity’s “Not Without Hope.”
“We’re thrilled to be in business with Spike as they build a brand with universal appeal,” Johnson said in a statement to TheWrap. “Over the next year and beyond we’re going to deliver compelling and powerful programming to entertain, inspire and provide just the right amount of shock and awe to its growing audience base. It’s an exciting partnership, $7 Bucks Productions and Spike are coming to win.”
A division of Viacom Media Networks, Spike TV is available in nearly 100 million homes. “Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia and $7 Bucks Productions personify Spike’s direction to be big and bold with original programming that speaks to a broader audience,” Casey Patterson, Executive Producer/Executive Vice President Talent Development and Production, Viacom Entertainment Group, said.
As TheWrap previously reported, Spike TV announced several new series during Tuesday’s Upfronts, including “Sweat Inc,” hosted by fitness guru Jillian Michaels, and scripted offering “Emergency Broadcast.”
Here’s a tweet Johnson sent out Tuesday afternoon:
Strong day of business in New York. Thank you Viacom partners. #7BucksProductions #MonkStrapDope pic.twitter.com/MeXHZjD8M0
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) March 3, 2015