SPIKE TV PARTNERS WITH VINCE GERARDIS TO DEVELOP ORIGINAL SCRIPTED SERIES "RED MARS"

Series Based On Kim Stanley Robinson's International Best-Selling Mars Trilogy

New York, NY, September 24, 2014 - Spike TV and Vince Gerardis, Co-Executive Producer of HBO's "Game of Thrones," have partnered to develop an original scripted series to be based on Kim Stanley Robinson's expansive MARS TRILOGY, his series of novels about the colonization and transformation of Mars. A recipient of the prestigious Nebula and Hugo awards, Robinson's novels are widely regarded as the best books written on the subject, and a holy grail for science fiction fans.

The Spike series, "Red Mars," will focus on the core question at the heart of the novels - what is it to be human when we are no longer of earth? Are we not then Martians?

NASA has made going to Mars the organizing principal of all their programs. Several private corporations too are establishing footholds in the race to the red planet, as evident in daily news stories.

"This series shines a light onto many views of what it means to be human - and asks if can we sustain our humanity under incredible duress," said Sharon Levy, Executive Vice President, Original Series, Spike TV. "We are thrilled to partner with such an accomplished producer as Vince Gerardis to tell this incredible and thought-provoking story."

"There are many homes for large canvas television these days. It inspires me that Sharon has offered her network as home for this and provided a canvas for me to bring the world created in these books to the screen," said Gerardis.

In addition to "Game of Thrones," Gerardis' television resume includes Executive Producer on ABC's "FlashForward."

New York Times best-selling author Kim Stanley Robinson has previously served as member of The Mars Society and was noted by Time Magazine as "Hero of the Environment." He was an early advocate on key global initiatives including climate change and other environmental issues, is an honorary member of the Association of Mars Explorers. He will consult on the series.

Sharon Levy, Executive Vice President, Original Series, Spike TV, Ted Gold, Senior Vice President, Scripted Original Series, and Justin Lacob, Vice President, Original Series, will oversee the project.

Spike TV will premiere its first scripted event series in seven years, "Tut," in 2015. The network recently announced script options for "The Crusaders" from Pierce Brosnan's Irish DreamTime, Mark Sennet Entertainment, Michael Finch and Academy Award(R)-winning writer David Franzoni; "Deep Web" from Flying Studio Pictures, the production partnership of the world renowned actor and critically-acclaimed, award-winning filmmaking team Gary Oldman and producer Douglas Urbanski along with producer/director/writer Tony Krantz of Flame Ventures; "The Chairman," based on the Stephen Frey best-seller; and "War at the Shore" based on Richard D. "Skip" Bronson's book.

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com.