Spike TV Renews INK MASTER

On the eve of the LIVE "Ink Master" season 5 finale later tonight (Tuesday, December 16 from 10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT), Spike TV is announcing it has picked up a sixth season of the network's hit original tattoo-competition series.

"Ink Master," currently delivering an average of 2.1 million viewers for Season 5, is on pace for its most-watched season in franchise history. The new season, featuring 13 one-hour episodes, goes into production early next year and will debut in the summer of 2015. Season 6 will have a special twist as mentors will square off against their apprentices.

The announcement was made today by Sharon Levy, Executive Vice President, Original Series, SPIKE TV.

"Ink Master" is once again proving to be a ratings driver for the network and has improved the timeslot in Adults 18-49 by 38% and 41% in Adults 18-34. The series is 47% male, demonstrating the network's ongoing plan to deliver gender-balanced original hit series.

"Ink Master is indicative of the distinctive, compelling, gender-balanced original programming that features big stakes," said Levy. "We are thrilled to once again partner with Original Media and our incredible hosting/judging trio of Dave Navarro, Oliver Peck, and Chris Nunez for another great season."

Each week "Ink Master" puts artist through a series of tattoo challenges that are not only designed to test the artists' technical skills, but also their on-the-spot creativity, where they must create and execute an original tattoo by command on a 'Human Canvas.' Each episode focuses on a different and distinct style of tattooing including realism, black and gray, geometric, neo-traditional, Asian and cover-up, among others. The masterpieces these artists create will last a lifetime, but so will their mistakes. After every challenge, the contestants face a tough panel made up of series host Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction) and world renowned tattoo artists Chris Nunez ("Miami Ink") and Oliver Peck (Elm Street Tattoo) who are joined by a roster of guest judges.

"Ink Master" is produced for SPIKE by Original Media ( and "NY Ink") with Charlie Corwin, Daniel Laikind and Andrea Richter serving as Executive Producers. Original Media is a subsidiary of Endemol USA.

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