truTV Greenlights "Hardcore Pawn: Chicago"

New Series Marks Expansion of truTV's Popular "Hardcore Pawn" Franchise

truTV's enormously popular Hardcore Pawn franchise is about to expand with an all-new series set in Chicago. The network has greenlit Hardcore Pawn: Chicago, which comes to truTV from Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment (The Catalina and The Devils Ride), with Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey serving as executive producers. truTV has ordered nine half-hour episodes of the series, which is set to premiere later this year.

Hardcore Pawn: Chicago takes viewers behind the scenes at "the baddest pawn shop in Chicago." One of the city's largest and oldest establishments in the pawn and gold-buying business, Royal Pawn Shop is owned by Randy and Wayne Cohen, two brothers who don't always see eye to eye, except when it comes to finding the best deals for the business. These over-the-top siblings will wheel and deal with just about anyone, from a sweet kindergarten teacher to an intimidating mob boss.

"If you've ever spent any time in a pawnshop, you've probably seen some of the outrageous characters who come through the doors... or work behind the counter," said Marc Juris, executive vice president and COO of truTV. "Hardcore Pawn: Chicago takes things to a whole new level, thanks to Randy and Wayne's over-the-top personalities and the wild antics of some of their customers."

Hardcore Pawn: Chicago is the second entry in truTV's Hardcore Pawn franchise. The original Hardcore Pawn, which is set at American Jewelry & Loan in Detroit, continues to be truTV's most popular series. Now in its sixth season, with new episodes each Tuesday at 9 p.m. (ET/PT), Hardcore Pawn is averaging 2.5 million viewers this summer. The show ranks among basic cable's Top 5 programs in its timeslot with key adult and male demos.

About Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment

Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment (BHE) specializes in the creation and production of television content. BHE has created, developed and produced both television pilots and series for NBC, VH1, CMT, A&E, E! Entertainment, truTV and SPIKE, including two seasons of the hit series Scott Baio is 45...and Single and Scott Baio is 46...and Pregnant on VH1, and Home Again, with Billy Ray Cyrus on CMT. In 2008, BHE produced Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling for CMT. In 2009, they produced Confessions of a Teen Idol for VH1, Posse and Runnin' Wild with Ted Nugent for CMT and more than a dozen shows in 2010. BHE produced Beverly Hills Fabulous for Vh-1 in 2011 and in 2012, BHE created and produced the hit series The Devils Ride for Discovery (now going into its second season) and The Catalina for CW. Additionally, BHE is currently producing Nick at Nite's first original scripted series, See Dad Run, starring Scott Baio. BHE also produces iMPACT!, one of the highest-rated weekly series on Spike.

About truTV

truTV, one of cable's fastest growing brands, offers a wildly entertaining look at the real world through outrageous characters, unpredictable situations and irreverent storytelling. Currently seen in 92 million U.S. households, truTV features such popular original series as Hardcore Pawn, Full Throttle Saloon, Lizard Lick Towing, Storage Hunters, Impractical Jokers, Operation Repo, South Beach Tow, Black Gold and World's Dumbest, as well as the acquired hit Wipeout. In addition, truTV is a partner in airing the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship. During the daytime, the channel features expert trial coverage under the name In Session.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.