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{{short description|American professional wrestling television program}}
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{{multiple issues|original research=December 2010|refimprove=December 2010}}
{{Multiple issues|
⚫
{{Infobox Television
{{more citations needed|date=December 2010}}
| show_name = ECW Hardcore TV
⚫
{{original research|date=December 2010}}
| image = [[File:ECW Hardcore TV.jpg]]
}}
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| caption =
{{Infobox television
| show_name_2 = NWA Eastern Championship Wrestling <small>(1993-1994)</small><br /> Extreme Championship Wrestling <small>(1994-1999)</small>
| format = [[Hardcore wrestling]]
| image = ECW Hardcore TV.jpg
| caption = WWE Network Logo
⚫
| alt_name =
| camera = [[Multicamera setup]]
| camera = [[Multicamera setup]]
| picture_format =
| runtime = 58 minutes (with commercials)
| runtime = 58 minutes (with commercials)
| creator = [[Tod Gordon]] <br> [[Eddie Gilbert (wrestler)|Eddie Gilbert]]
| creator = [[Tod Gordon]] <br> [[Eddie Gilbert (wrestler)|Eddie Gilbert]]
Line 14: Line 15:
| starring = See [[Extreme Championship Wrestling alumni]]
| starring = See [[Extreme Championship Wrestling alumni]]
| narrated = [[Joey Styles]]
| narrated = [[Joey Styles]]
| opentheme = "[[Closer (Nine Inch Nails song)|Closer]]"/"[[Thunderkiss '65]]" mix by [[Nine Inch Nails]] & [[White Zombie (band)|White Zombie]] (1994-1997)<br>"This Is Extreme!" by [[Harry Slash & The Slashtones]]<ref>[http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/ecw/ecwmusc.htm ECW Music]</ref> (1997-2001)
| opentheme = "[[Closer (Nine Inch Nails song)|Closer]]"/"[[Thunderkiss '65]]" mix by [[Nine Inch Nails]] & [[White Zombie (band)|White Zombie]] (1994-1997)<br>"This Is Extreme!" by [[Harry Slash & The Slashtones]]<ref>[http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/ecw/ecwmusc.htm ECW Music] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106165329/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/ecw/ecwmusc.htm |date=2008-01-06 }}</ref> (1997-2000)
| country = USA <br> 2 Specials from Japan
| country = United States
| location = [[2300 Arena|ECW Arena]],<ref>[http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/ecw/ecwarena.htm ECW Arena Results]</ref> [[South Philadelphia]]
| location = [[2300 Arena|ECW Arena]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/ecw/ecwarena.htm |title=ECW Arena Results |access-date=2007-08-30 |archive-date=2007-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070826160611/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/ecw/ecwarena.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[South Philadelphia]]
[[Burt Flickinger Center]], [[Buffalo NY]]
| network = [[Broadcast syndication|Syndication]]<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/ma/zombie5/ecwtv.html ECW TV LISTINGS]</ref>
| first_aired = April 6, 1993<ref>[http://www.tv.com/ecw-hardcore-tv/ecw-tv---4-5-1993/episode/298046/summary.html?tag=ep_list;title;0 ECW TV - 4/5/1993]</ref>
| network = [[Broadcast syndication|Syndication]]<ref>[https://www.angelfire.com/ma/zombie5/ecwtv.html ECW TV LISTINGS]</ref>
| last_aired = December 31, 2000<ref>[http://www.tv.com/ecw-hardcore-tv/ecw-hardcore-tv---12-31-2000/episode/272342/summary.html?tag=ep_list;title;47 ECW Hardcore TV - 12/31/2000]</ref>
| first_aired = {{start date|1993|4|6}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/ecw-hardcore-tv/ecw-tv---4-5-1993/episode/298046/summary.html?tag=ep_list;title;0 |title=ECW TV - 4/5/1993 |access-date=2007-08-30 |archive-date=2010-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228194406/http://www.tv.com/ecw-hardcore-tv/ecw-tv---4-5-1993/episode/298046/summary.html?tag=ep_list;title;0 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| last_aired = {{end date|2000|12|31}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/ecw-hardcore-tv/ecw-hardcore-tv---12-31-2000/episode/272342/summary.html?tag=ep_list;title;47 |title=ECW Hardcore TV - 12/31/2000 |access-date=2007-08-30 |archive-date=2010-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228194401/http://www.tv.com/ecw-hardcore-tv/ecw-hardcore-tv---12-31-2000/episode/272342/summary.html?tag=ep_list;title;47 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| num_episodes = 397<ref>[http://www.rfvideo.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=110&Page=2 RF Video - Hardcore TV listings] [[RF Video]] - official ECW videographer</ref>
| num_episodes = 401<ref>[http://www.rfvideo.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=110&Page=2 RF Video - Hardcore TV listings] [[RF Video]] - official ECW videographer</ref>
| followed_by = ''[[ECW on TNN]]''
| website =
| related = ''[[ECW on TNN]]''
}}
}}
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'''''ECW Hardcore TV''''' is an American [[professional wrestling]] [[television program]] that was produced by the [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] based [[Professional wrestling promotion|promotion]] [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW) composed of footage from live shows and recorded interviews. It ran in syndication from April 6, 1993 to December 31, 2000.


⚫
Even after ECW gained [[ECW on TNN|a nationally-available television program]] on [[The Nashville Network|The Nashville Network (TNN)]], ''Hardcore TV'' was considered ECW's flagship program.{{citation needed|date=January 2011}} The rights to the show now belong to the [[WWE]]. The show was voted as [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Weekly Television Show|Best Weekly Television Show]] in the 1994, 1995 and 1996 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards.
⚫
'''''ECW Hardcore TV''''' is a [[professional wrestling]] [[television program]] of [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]]-based [[Professional wrestling promotion|promotion]] [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW) composed of footage from live shows and recorded interviews. It ran in syndication from 1993 until 2000.

⚫
Even after ECW gained [[ECW on TNN|a nationally-available television program]] on [[The Nashville Network|The Nashville Network (TNN)]], ''Hardcore TV'' was considered ECW's flagship program.{{citation needed|date=January 2011}} The rights to the show now belong to [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)]]. The show was voted as [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Weekly Television Show|Best Weekly Television Show]] in the 1994, 1995 and 1996 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards.


==Format==
==Format==
''Hardcore TV'' was edited from footage of ECW's live events from the [[2300 Arena|ECW Arena]] and other [[house shows]]. It also included backstage [[Promo (professional wrestling)|promos]] & [[vignette (professional wrestling)|vignettes]], which were not shown to the live crowd or included on [[home video]] releases of the events. A segment called ''Hype Central'' advertised upcoming events and ECW merchandise in a [[tongue in cheek]] manner.
''Hardcore TV'' was edited from footage of ECW's live events from the [[2300 Arena|ECW Arena]] and other [[house shows]]. It also included backstage [[Promo (professional wrestling)|promos]] and [[vignette (professional wrestling)|vignettes]], which were not shown to the live crowd or included on [[home video]] releases of the events. A segment called ''Hype Central'' advertised upcoming events and ECW merchandise in a [[tongue in cheek]] manner.


[[Music videos]] from major musical acts were sometimes shown, interspersed with footage detailing the history of current [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feuds]], as well as spectacular [[Spot (professional wrestling)|spots]]. Frequently, the ending of the show would feature a montage of several different promos, with [[Dick Dale|Dick Dale's]] [[cover version]] of "[[Misirlou]]" as background music. These became known as "''[[Pulp Fiction (film)|Pulp Fiction]]'' promos". The purpose of these promos was to maximise the show's limited airtime in order to keep the fans up with all the current wrestling storylines.
[[Music videos]] from major musical acts were sometimes shown, interspersed with footage detailing the history of current [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feuds]], as well as spectacular [[Spot (professional wrestling)|spots]]. Frequently, the ending of the show would feature a montage of several different promos, with [[Dick Dale|Dick Dale's]] [[cover version]] of "[[Misirlou]]" as background music. These became known as "''[[Pulp Fiction (film)|Pulp Fiction]]'' promos". The purpose of these promos was to maximize the show's limited airtime in order to keep the fans up to date with current wrestling storylines.


In keeping with ECW's unconventional approach, episodes were not structured with a build toward a [[main event]] as with typical professional wrestling programming. Any given week's program could feature any number or type of matches. Owner/producer [[Paul Heyman|Paul Heyman's]] intent was to keep things fresh by providing variety for the viewers.
In keeping with ECW's unconventional approach, episodes were not structured with a build toward a [[main event]] as with typical professional wrestling programming. Any given week's program could feature any number of matches or match type. Owner/producer [[Paul Heyman|Paul Heyman's]] intent was to keep things fresh by providing variety for the viewers.


===Censorship and content===
===Censorship and content===
''Hardcore TV'' showed [[graphic violence]] (including [[blood]]), sexual frankness, and [[Profanity|harsh language]], all of which were key elements of the ECW product itself. Due to the late night time slots, expletives and violence were not edited from early broadcasts, and this helped to get ECW noticed. After the ''[[ECW on TNN]]'' program became available, this was a major difference between the syndicated ''Hardcore TV'' and the more mainstream program on TNN.<ref>[http://members.tripod.com/~ecwbyshaggs/interview.html Question: Paul do you see ECW getting a network deal so it can be seen nationwide? (RRitter72) Paul Heyman: I hope so, and would like to encourage any viewer or even potential viewer to write, fax, call, and e-mail any national network, be it E!, be it Fox sportsnet, be it FX, I don't care if it's The Family Channel, one look at Beulah or Francine, might make a man want to start a family after all, and ask those networks to carry, or at least consider carrying ECW. This type of campaign helped us get on PPV, it definitely scored us Cablevision. It kept us on America One, It got us back on Sunshine and with no corporate sponsorships, and no big name advertisers, we quite frankly need your support. And we're not so big and we're not so arrogant that we feel its beneath us to ask for your support. When you work with the group of guys that I am privileged to work with, you understand the value of humility. So I have no problem admitting that we rely on the support, indeed the aggressive support, of our audience.]</ref>
''Hardcore TV'' showed [[graphic violence]] (including [[blood]]), sexual frankness, and [[Profanity|harsh language]], all of which were key elements of the ECW product itself. Due to the late night time slots, expletives and violence were not edited from early broadcasts, and this helped to get ECW noticed. After the ''[[ECW on TNN]]'' program became available, this was a major difference between the syndicated ''Hardcore TV'' and the more mainstream program on TNN.<ref>[http://members.tripod.com/~ecwbyshaggs/interview.html Interview with Paul Heyman] <!--Question: Paul do you see ECW getting a network deal so it can be seen nationwide? (RRitter72) Paul Heyman: I hope so, and would like to encourage any viewer or even potential viewer to write, fax, call, and e-mail any national network, be it E!, be it Fox sportsnet, be it FX, I don't care if it's The Family Channel, one look at Beulah or Francine, might make a man want to start a family after all, and ask those networks to carry, or at least consider carrying ECW. This type of campaign helped us get on PPV, it definitely scored us Cablevision. It kept us on America One, It got us back on Sunshine and with no corporate sponsorships, and no big name advertisers, we quite frankly need your support. And we're not so big and we're not so arrogant that we feel its beneath us to ask for your support. When you work with the group of guys that I am privileged to work with, you understand the value of humility. So I have no problem admitting that we rely on the support, indeed the aggressive support, of our audience.--></ref>


==Broadcast history==
==Broadcast history==


===Philadelphia market===
===Philadelphia market===
''Hardcore TV'' aired in permanent time slots in ECW's home territories of Philadelphia and [[New York City]], and was also [[Broadcast syndication|syndicated]].<ref>[http://www.wrestleview.com/info/faq/ecw.shtml ECW ran shows mostly in Philadelphia and was syndicated on television by various stations before it was brought to TNN in 1999.]</ref> Shows were broadcast on a Philadelphia local [[Cable television|cable]] sports station, [[SportsChannel America|SportsChannel America's]]'s<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling3/keysplace/nwa.html Of all the remaining NWA members Eastern Championship Wrestling was the most recognizable due to their TV programming on the regional SportsChannel America cable network, and on August 27, 1994 the NWA held a tournament to crown a new NWA Champion at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia.]</ref> local affiliate, [[SportsChannel Philadelphia]], on Tuesday evenings at 11pm until January 9, 1997 when the show moved to Thursdays at 11pm. After SportsChannel Philadelphia went off the air in 1997, the show moved to [[WPPX|WPPX-TV 61]]. It later moved to a former independent broadcast station, [[WGTW-TV|WGTW 48]] in Philadelphia, on late Friday or Saturday night broadcasts.
''Hardcore TV'' aired in permanent time slots in ECW's home territories of Philadelphia and [[New York City]], and was also [[Broadcast syndication|syndicated]].<ref>[http://www.wrestleview.com/info/faq/ecw.shtml ECW ran shows mostly in Philadelphia and was syndicated on television by various stations before it was brought to TNN in 1999.]</ref> Shows were broadcast on a Philadelphia local [[Cable television|cable]] sports station, [[SportsChannel America|SportsChannel America's]]<ref>[https://www.angelfire.com/wrestling3/keysplace/nwa.html History of the National Wrestling Alliance] <!--Of all the remaining NWA members Eastern Championship Wrestling was the most recognizable due to their TV programming on the regional SportsChannel America cable network, and on August 27, 1994 the NWA held a tournament to crown a new NWA Champion at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia.--></ref> local affiliate, [[SportsChannel Philadelphia]], on Tuesday evenings at 6pm until January 9, 1997 when the show moved to Thursdays at 11pm. In April 1996, the ECW SportsChannel airings were upgraded to 6pm and 11pm on Tuesdays, with a late night Friday replay at 2am. After SportsChannel Philadelphia went off the air in 1997, the show moved to [[WPPX|WPPX-TV 61]] on Wednesdays at 9pm. It later moved to a former independent broadcast station, [[WGTW-TV|WGTW 48]] in Philadelphia, on late Friday or Saturday night broadcasts.


===Chicago/Northwest Indiana market===
===Chicago/Northwest Indiana market===
In the [[Chicago]] and [[Northwest Indiana]] market, the show traded back and forth among [[WCIU-TV|WCIU 26]] on Saturdays, and [[UPN]] station [[WPWR-TV|WPWR 50]], broadcast in both Chicago and [[Gary, Indiana|Gary]], on Friday nights, a week behind. Meanwhile, [[KBS Chicago]] (a Korean station that also carried [[Big Japan]] shows at midnight) broadcast ''Hardcore TV'' on Friday nights.
In the [[Chicago]] and [[Northwest Indiana]] market, the show traded back and forth among [[WCIU-TV|WCIU 26]] on Saturdays, and [[UPN]] station [[WPWR-TV|WPWR 50]], broadcast in both Chicago and [[Gary, Indiana|Gary]], on Friday nights, a week behind. Meanwhile, [[KBS Chicago]] (a Korean station that also carried [[Big Japan Pro Wrestling|Big Japan]] shows at midnight) broadcast ''Hardcore TV'' on Friday nights.


===Orlando market===
===Orlando market===
[[WRBW]] in [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] aired ''Hardcore TV'' in a very late night timeslot on Saturdays. Also, [[WNFM-TV|WNFM]] (then known as WSWF), a cable only WB affiliate in Fort Myers, aired Hardcore TV in a primetime slot on Saturday Nights. The rest of [[Florida]] got ''Hardcore TV'' on regional sports network the [[Sun Sports|Sunshine Network]]<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/tdyedfan According to The Tye Dye Guy, his initial exposure to the extreme brand occurred when the original ECW’s programming became syndicated outside of Philadelphia on the Sunshine Network.]</ref> very late on Friday nights. WRBW invoked [[syndex]], meaning ECW was [[Blackout (broadcasting)|blacked out]] in the Orlando market on Sunshine.
[[WRBW]] in [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] aired ''Hardcore TV'' in a very late night timeslot on Saturdays. Also, [[WNFM-TV|WNFM]] (then known as WSWF), a cable only WB affiliate in Fort Myers, aired Hardcore TV in a primetime slot on Saturday Nights. The rest of [[Florida]] got ''Hardcore TV'' on regional sports network the [[Sun Sports|Sunshine Network]]<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/tdyedfan Psychedelic fanhood] <!--According to The Tye Dye Guy, his initial exposure to the extreme brand occurred when the original ECW’s programming became syndicated outside of Philadelphia on the Sunshine Network.--></ref> very late on Friday nights. WRBW invoked [[syndex]], meaning ECW was [[Blackout (broadcasting)|blacked out]] in the Orlando market on Sunshine.


===New York area===
===New York area===
Shows were aired on the [[MSG Network]] in [[New York City]] and the surrounding area on Saturday nights at 1 am. [[Empire Sports Network]] (western NY) and WBGT-LP (Rochester) also carried the show.
Beginning on January 8, 1995, ECW Hardcore TV aired on the [[MSG (TV network)|MSG Network]] in [[New York City]] and the surrounding area at 1 am (late Saturday night/early Sunday morning). [[Empire Sports Network]] (western NY) and WBGT-LP (Rochester) also carried the show.

===Pittsburgh market===
WPTT-TV in [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]] aired ''Hardcore TV'' late on Saturday nights. The station, now known as [[WPNT]] and owned by the [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] (which at the time operated the station on a [[local marketing agreement]] with sidecar [[Cunningham Broadcasting|Glencairn, Ltd.]] alongside [[WPGH-TV]], which Sinclair owned outright), now airs ''[[Ring of Honor Wrestling]]'' from Sinclair-owned [[Ring of Honor]], which is often seen as the [[spiritual successor]] to ECW.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/ring-of-honors-declaration-of-independence-20160211|title=Ring of Honor's Declaration of Independence|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=11 February 2016}}</ref>


===Other markets in the United States===
===Other markets in the United States===
Shows were aired on [[KJLA]] in [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] on Saturday nights, [[WUNI]] in [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]]-[[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] very late on Friday nights, [[WBVC-TV|WBVC TV-61]] in [[Traverse City, Michigan]] late Friday Nights, WUCT TV-52 in [[Dayton, Ohio]] on Saturday afternoons and late night, and [[WPMY|WPTT TV 22]] in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] late on Saturday nights. It also very late on Friday nights on KTSF TV-26 in [[California]], and on [[SportsSouth]] in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[Alabama]], [[Mississippi]], [[Tennessee]], [[Kentucky]], [[North Carolina]], and [[South Carolina]].
Shows were aired on [[KJLA]] in [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] on Saturday nights, [[WUNI]] in [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]]-[[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] very late on Friday nights, [[WBVC-TV|WBVC TV-61]] in [[Traverse City, Michigan]] late Friday Nights, WUCT TV-52 in [[Dayton, Ohio]], [[WOCV-CD|The Cat]] in [[Cleveland]] and [[Akron]], [[Ohio]] late Friday nights, WPEN in [[Hampton Roads]], [[Virginia]] on Saturday evenings, and WGMB Fox 44 in [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]] on Saturday afternoons and late night. It also aired very late on Friday nights on KTSF TV-26 in [[San Francisco, California]], on Fridays at 11 on KGMC 43 in [[Fresno, California]], KCNG-TV and UPN25 in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]] at 1pm on Saturdays, and on [[Bally Sports South|SportSouth]] in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[Alabama]], [[Mississippi]], [[Tennessee]], [[Kentucky]], [[North Carolina]], and [[South Carolina]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19990430061936/http://www.ecwwrestling.com/ Archive of ECW's TV Listings]</ref>


===Additional networks===
===Additional networks===
*[[America One Network]]<ref name="oratory"/><ref>[http://www.1wrestling.com/news/newsline.asp?news=24086 The America One Network aired wrestling on Saturday nights from ... aired on the America One Network in the past included ECW Hardcore TV and TNA Xplosion. ...]</ref><ref>[http://www.pwbts.com/columns/b031001.html "Team ECW" was a group of hardworking people ... ECW's reputation spread. ... it was televised nationwide on the America One Network, as well as on other ...]</ref>
*[[America One Network]]<ref name="oratory"/><ref>[http://www.pwbts.com/columns/b031001.html AS I SEE IT - 3/10/2001] <!--"Team ECW" was a group of hardworking people ... ECW's reputation spread. ... it was televised nationwide on the America One Network, as well as on other ...--></ref>
*[[Bravo (UK TV channel)]]<ref>[http://www.tpww.net/news/archives/010102.html News and Rumors for Tuesday, January 2] The People's Wrestling Website</ref>
*[[Bravo (British TV channel)]]<ref>[http://www.tpww.net/news/archives/010102.html News and Rumors for Tuesday, January 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323133708/http://www.tpww.net/news/archives/010102.html |date=2008-03-23 }} The People's Wrestling Website</ref>

*[[Empire Sports Network]]
===Online Streaming===
⚫
Episodes were at one time available for download on the websites of some affiliate stations.<ref name="oratory">[http://oratory.rajah.com/index.php?archive=2365 The Wrestling Oratory] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523234249/http://oratory.rajah.com/index.php?archive=2365 |date=2006-05-23 }} <!--"As a footnote, I never attended a live ECW show. Even further, I never participated in a Strictly ECW e-mail campaign. I never got to see a live version of Hardcore TV on MSG, the Sunshine Network, America One (though, there was that one time I almost crashed my 28.8 modem trying to download the show off of the America One website) or even WUNI-27, Worcester-Boston at 1 AM on Saturday mornings when I was in college. However, I still, in some way feel a profound love and attachment to the company."--></ref>

All episodes are available for streaming on [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] in the U.S. and the [[WWE Network]] internationally.


==See also==
===Episodes available online for download===
⚫
{{Portal|Television}}
⚫
Episodes were also available [[download]] from the [[internet]] at various times, from the websites of some affiliate stations.<ref name="oratory">[http://oratory.rajah.com/index.php?archive=2365 The Wrestling Oratory] "As a footnote, I never attended a live ECW show. Even further, I never participated in a Strictly ECW e-mail campaign. I never got to see a live version of Hardcore TV on MSG, the Sunshine Network, America One (though, there was that one time I almost crashed my 28.8 modem trying to download the show off of the America One website) or even WUNI-27, Worcester-Boston at 1 AM on Saturday mornings when I was in college. However, I still, in some way feel a profound love and attachment to the company."</ref> The show can now be seen on the [[WWE Network]] starting from episode #26 (purportedly the first episode under Paul Heyman's ECW) and although the entirety of the show has yet to be released on the network, the network is updated weekly with more episodes.
*[[ECW on TNN]]
*[[List of professional wrestling television series]]


==References==
==References==
Line 68: Line 77:


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.retrojunk.com/details_tvshows/1059-ecw-hardcore-tv/ Retro Junk]
* {{IMDb title|0258348}}
* {{IMDb title|0258348}}
* {{tv.com show|ecw-hardcore-tv}}


{{Extreme Championship Wrestling}}
{{Extreme Championship Wrestling}}
{{SportsChannel America}}
{{SportsChannel America}}
{{Professional wrestling in the United States}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Ecw Hardcore Tv}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ecw Hardcore Tv}}
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[[Category:American professional wrestling television series]]
[[Category:First-run syndicated television programs in the United States]]
[[Category:First-run syndicated television programs in the United States]]
⚫
[[Category:1990s American television series]]
[[Category:2000s American television series]]
[[Category:Extreme Championship Wrestling shows]]
[[Category:Extreme Championship Wrestling shows]]
[[Category:1993 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1993 American television series debuts]]

Latest revision as of 01:02, 5 August 2024

ECW Hardcore TV
WWE Network Logo
Created byTod Gordon
Eddie Gilbert
StarringSee Extreme Championship Wrestling alumni
Narrated byJoey Styles
Opening theme"Closer"/"Thunderkiss '65" mix by Nine Inch Nails & White Zombie (1994-1997)
"This Is Extreme!" by Harry Slash & The Slashtones[1] (1997-2000)
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes401[2]
Production
Executive producerPaul Heyman (September 1993 - 2000)
Production locationsECW Arena,[3] South Philadelphia Burt Flickinger Center, Buffalo NY
Camera setupMulticamera setup
Running time58 minutes (with commercials)
Original release
NetworkSyndication[4]
ReleaseApril 6, 1993 (1993-04-06)[5] –
December 31, 2000 (2000-12-31)[6]
Related
ECW on TNN

ECW Hardcore TV is an American professional wrestling television program that was produced by the Philadelphia based promotion Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) composed of footage from live shows and recorded interviews. It ran in syndication from April 6, 1993 to December 31, 2000.

Even after ECW gained a nationally-available television program on The Nashville Network (TNN), Hardcore TV was considered ECW's flagship program.[citation needed] The rights to the show now belong to the WWE. The show was voted as Best Weekly Television Show in the 1994, 1995 and 1996 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards.

Format

[edit]

Hardcore TV was edited from footage of ECW's live events from the ECW Arena and other house shows. It also included backstage promos and vignettes, which were not shown to the live crowd or included on home video releases of the events. A segment called Hype Central advertised upcoming events and ECW merchandise in a tongue in cheek manner.

Music videos from major musical acts were sometimes shown, interspersed with footage detailing the history of current feuds, as well as spectacular spots. Frequently, the ending of the show would feature a montage of several different promos, with Dick Dale's cover version of "Misirlou" as background music. These became known as "Pulp Fiction promos". The purpose of these promos was to maximize the show's limited airtime in order to keep the fans up to date with current wrestling storylines.

In keeping with ECW's unconventional approach, episodes were not structured with a build toward a main event as with typical professional wrestling programming. Any given week's program could feature any number of matches or match type. Owner/producer Paul Heyman's intent was to keep things fresh by providing variety for the viewers.

Censorship and content

[edit]

Hardcore TV showed graphic violence (including blood), sexual frankness, and harsh language, all of which were key elements of the ECW product itself. Due to the late night time slots, expletives and violence were not edited from early broadcasts, and this helped to get ECW noticed. After the ECW on TNN program became available, this was a major difference between the syndicated Hardcore TV and the more mainstream program on TNN.[7]

Broadcast history

[edit]

Philadelphia market

[edit]

Hardcore TV aired in permanent time slots in ECW's home territories of Philadelphia and New York City, and was also syndicated.[8] Shows were broadcast on a Philadelphia local cable sports station, SportsChannel America's[9] local affiliate, SportsChannel Philadelphia, on Tuesday evenings at 6pm until January 9, 1997 when the show moved to Thursdays at 11pm. In April 1996, the ECW SportsChannel airings were upgraded to 6pm and 11pm on Tuesdays, with a late night Friday replay at 2am. After SportsChannel Philadelphia went off the air in 1997, the show moved to WPPX-TV 61 on Wednesdays at 9pm. It later moved to a former independent broadcast station, WGTW 48 in Philadelphia, on late Friday or Saturday night broadcasts.

Chicago/Northwest Indiana market

[edit]

In the Chicago and Northwest Indiana market, the show traded back and forth among WCIU 26 on Saturdays, and UPN station WPWR 50, broadcast in both Chicago and Gary, on Friday nights, a week behind. Meanwhile, KBS Chicago (a Korean station that also carried Big Japan shows at midnight) broadcast Hardcore TV on Friday nights.

Orlando market

[edit]

WRBW in Orlando aired Hardcore TV in a very late night timeslot on Saturdays. Also, WNFM (then known as WSWF), a cable only WB affiliate in Fort Myers, aired Hardcore TV in a primetime slot on Saturday Nights. The rest of Florida got Hardcore TV on regional sports network the Sunshine Network[10] very late on Friday nights. WRBW invoked syndex, meaning ECW was blacked out in the Orlando market on Sunshine.

New York area

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Beginning on January 8, 1995, ECW Hardcore TV aired on the MSG Network in New York City and the surrounding area at 1 am (late Saturday night/early Sunday morning). Empire Sports Network (western NY) and WBGT-LP (Rochester) also carried the show.

Pittsburgh market

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WPTT-TV in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania aired Hardcore TV late on Saturday nights. The station, now known as WPNT and owned by the Sinclair Broadcast Group (which at the time operated the station on a local marketing agreement with sidecar Glencairn, Ltd. alongside WPGH-TV, which Sinclair owned outright), now airs Ring of Honor Wrestling from Sinclair-owned Ring of Honor, which is often seen as the spiritual successor to ECW.[11]

Other markets in the United States

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Shows were aired on KJLA in Los Angeles on Saturday nights, WUNI in Worcester-Boston very late on Friday nights, WBVC TV-61 in Traverse City, Michigan late Friday Nights, WUCT TV-52 in Dayton, Ohio, The Cat in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio late Friday nights, WPEN in Hampton Roads, Virginia on Saturday evenings, and WGMB Fox 44 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday afternoons and late night. It also aired very late on Friday nights on KTSF TV-26 in San Francisco, California, on Fridays at 11 on KGMC 43 in Fresno, California, KCNG-TV and UPN25 in Las Vegas, Nevada at 1pm on Saturdays, and on SportSouth in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina.[12]

Additional networks

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Online Streaming

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Episodes were at one time available for download on the websites of some affiliate stations.[13]

All episodes are available for streaming on Peacock in the U.S. and the WWE Network internationally.

See also

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ ECW Music Archived 2008-01-06 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ RF Video - Hardcore TV listings RF Video - official ECW videographer
  3. ^ "ECW Arena Results". Archived from the original on 2007-08-26. Retrieved 2007-08-30.
  4. ^ ECW TV LISTINGS
  5. ^ "ECW TV - 4/5/1993". Archived from the original on 2010-12-28. Retrieved 2007-08-30.
  6. ^ "ECW Hardcore TV - 12/31/2000". Archived from the original on 2010-12-28. Retrieved 2007-08-30.
  7. ^ Interview with Paul Heyman
  8. ^ ECW ran shows mostly in Philadelphia and was syndicated on television by various stations before it was brought to TNN in 1999.
  9. ^ History of the National Wrestling Alliance
  10. ^ Psychedelic fanhood
  11. ^ "Ring of Honor's Declaration of Independence". Rolling Stone. 11 February 2016.
  12. ^ Archive of ECW's TV Listings
  13. ^ a b The Wrestling Oratory Archived 2006-05-23 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ AS I SEE IT - 3/10/2001
  15. ^ News and Rumors for Tuesday, January 2 Archived 2008-03-23 at the Wayback Machine The People's Wrestling Website
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