Spike premieres beloved tattoo competition with a new twist
Double the ‘Ink’: Over the past few decades, body modification has become an increasingly mainstream part of American culture. A decade ago, tattoos had to be covered up at work, and some jobs wouldn’t hire you if you had one. Nowadays that’s not an issue, and Spike has capitalized on America’s obsession in a big way with its reality competition show “Ink Master,” which is set to premiere its ninth season Tuesday, June 6, on Spike.
This season is a little different from previous iterations. In place of a single competitor, teams of two artists from shops all across America compete against one another. These teams represent their home shops by tattooing various “human canvases” with different styles of tattoos. At the end of each episode, the teams are judged on their creations, and the least favorite team is eliminated from the competition, while the rest move on towards the grand prize: $200,000, an article in Inked magazine and the title of “Master Shop.” Returning to judge this season are musician Dave Navarro, tattoo artists Chris Nunez from “Miami Ink” and Oliver Peck, an artist from Elm Street Tattoo.
“One of the things I love about this competition is how every season is fresh,” said Navarro in a preview released by Spike. “When you walk into the ‘Ink Master’ doors, you better buckle up.”
What viewers may find interesting about this competition is the fact that the results are so permanent. Not only are the competitors’ greatest pieces ending up on people, so are their greatest mistakes. Find out what crazy designs the competitors make when “Ink Master” returns Tuesday, June 6, on Spike.
Buying the beachfront: Buying a house is the most important and most expensive decision most people will ever make in their lives, and location is a huge factor to consider when in search of the perfect home. In “Beach Hunters,” premiering Sunday, June 4, on HGTV, hopeful home buyers look to the sand and sea for their dream homes.
This new program follows a similar formula to that of “House Hunters,” but focuses specifically on buyers who want beachfront property. The show follows these prospective buyers and their realtors from the beginning of the home-buying process to the end.
Now headed into its second season, the show follows even more suburban families as they look to trade in long commutes and cramped conditions for more sun and fun. The primary focus of the show so far has been to help families who are fed up with the lifestyle that comes with living in a huge urban city and relocate them to a place where they can live a simpler, more relaxed life.
From Portland to Gearhart, Chicago to Florida, there are few boundaries people won’t cross in order to find their dream homes. Find out where the best beachfront properties are when “Beach Hunters” premieres Sunday, June 4, on HGTV.
Water your plans for the summer?: For a mammal whose natural habitat is land, we humans tend to spend a lot of time in the water. Whether it’s relaxing in a hot tub, swimming in a pool or flying down a waterslide, we have discovered a plethora of ways to enjoy a substance that makes up 71 percent of our planet. Just in time for the summer season, Travel Channel takes a look at the extremes to which people go to get the most fun out of water. Beautiful pools and amazing waterslides are the focus of “Pools with a View” and “Xtreme Waterparks,” respectively, and both shows premiere Sunday, June 4, on Travel Channel.
From incredible pools high in the Swiss Alps to those found in the sunsoaked Caribbean, cameras make their way around the world to find the most mind-blowing swimming holes. The show tells the stories behind each pool, and illustrates to viewers just what makes them so special — besides the amazing views.
Once viewers are done relaxing by the poolside, it’s time to take the plunge into the other end of the water-fun spectrum. “Xtreme Waterparks” shines the spotlight on some of the craziest waterslides from around the world. Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to waterparks, but seeing riders fly through tubes and taking a 70-degree drop can cause quite the adrenaline rush.
“For many of us, what to eat, where to drink and how to find the inside scoop on secret spots to explore are a big part of the travel experience,” said Travel Channel executive Kathleen Finch. “Our 2017 programming slate reflects the diverse interests of the audience, and is a big reason that we expect to continue this positive ratings trajectory.”
Both of these programs are part of Travel Channel’s “Dive In” franchise, which focuses on water-themed programming that runs all through the summer.
Check out “Pools with a View” and “Xtreme Waterparks” when they premiere Sunday, June 4, on Travel Channel.