MediaBuyerPlanner: So-called 'men's' network Spike (formerly TNN) may finally have a series that really appeals to the elusive young male audience with its upcoming new show Blade: The Series, which opens with a two-hour premiere on Wednesday night at 10, writes Media Life. The show takes up where the three-film series, inspired by the Marvel comic book and starring Wesley Snipes, left off.

The new series may be successful because it's already a franchise, bringing a built-in audience: in addition to the three films and the comics, there are two video games with a third on the way. And, Spike believes that it's a series guys can identify with, thanks to plenty of action, sex appeal, weapons and the "edginess that often defines original cable programming," according to the article. Plus, the pilot was written by David Goyer and Geoff Johns, respected comic book writers in their own right. Goyer wrote the three Blade movies, directed the third, and will executive produce the series.