PowerNation is a

programming block Block programming (also known as a strand in British broadcasting) is the arrangement of programs on radio or television so that those of a particular genre, theme, or target audience are united. Overview Block programming involves scheduling a ...

of automotive how-to enthusiast television programs that began originally as the ''PowerBlock''. It is currently produced by

Gray Media Gray Media, Inc., doing business as Gray Television, is an American publicly traded television broadcasting company based in Atlanta. Founded in 1946 by James Harrison Gray as Gray Communications Systems, the company owns or operates 180 statio ...

, which purchased the assets of PowerNation's former owner

Raycom Media Raycom Media, Inc. was an American television broadcasting company based in Montgomery, Alabama, Montgomery, Alabama. Raycom owned and/or provided services for 65 television stations and two radio stations across 44 markets in 20 states. Raycom ...

in 2019. PowerNation consists of a block of automotive enthusiast shows including ''Engine Power'', ''XOR (Xtreme Off Road)'', ''Truck Tech'', and ''Detroit Muscle''. ''PowerNation'' airs on the

History Channel History (formerly and commonly known as the History Channel) is an American pay television television broadcaster, network and the flagship channel of A&E Networks, a joint venture between Hearst Communications and the Disney General Entertainme ...

, and also features content on its own through a

digital media player A digital media player (also known as a streaming device or streaming box) is a type of consumer electronics device designed for the storage, playback, or viewing of digital media content. They are typically designed to be integrated into a h ...

app available on the Amazon Fire TV,

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and

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platforms.

History

PowerNation first began airing on

The Nashville Network The Nashville Network, usually referred to as TNN, was an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming included music videos, taped concerts, movies, game shows, syndicated programs, and numerous talk shows. On September ...

(commonly referred to as TNN, now the

Paramount Network Paramount Network is an American basic cable television channel and the flagship property of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global, who operates it through the MTV Entertainment Group. The network's headquarters are located a ...

, which shifted to a general entertainment model in 2018 and stopped carrying PowerNation programming) in 1999 as PowerBlock. PowerBlock rebranded to PowerNation in 2014 and began airing on NBCSN and

CBS Sports Network CBS Sports Network (a.k.a. CBSSN) is an American digital cable and satellite television network owned by the CBS Entertainment Group unit of Paramount Global. When it launched in 2002 as the National College Sports Network (later College Sports ...

in addition to the Paramount Network. PowerBlock was originally hosted by Michelle Spaziano, followed by

Danica Patrick Danica Sue Patrick (; born March 25, 1982) is an American former professional racing driver and model. She is the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel car racing—her victory in the 2008 Indy Japan 300 is the only win ...

. PowerNation was originally hosted by

Courtney Hansen Courtney Hansen (born October 2, 1974) is an American television host/personality, syndicated columnist, published author, and former fashion model. Biography Courtney Hansen was born on October 2, 1974, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Gerald ...

, then later by Katie Osborne. PowerNation is produced by RTM Studios in

Franklin, TN Franklin is a city in and the county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States. About south of Nashville, it is one of the principal cities of the Nashville metropolitan area and Middle Tennessee. As of 2020, its population was 83,45 ...

Programming

''Engine Power''

''Engine Power'' (previously known as ''HorsePower'', and originally ''Hot Rod TV'') began airing in 1999 on

(now

), hosted by Joe Elmore and Chuck Hanson, and later added Mike Galley. In later years, engine builders Buddy Hendricks then John Bouchard were added and shared co-hosting duties. Engine Power is currently hosted by Pat Topolinski and Frankie Forman. Engine Power follows a how-to show format that focuses on assembling and tuning everything from mild performance street engines to full-race monster engines.

''Detroit Muscle''

''Detroit Muscle'' (previously known as ''MuscleCar'') began airing in 2006 on Spike TV (now Paramount Network). ''MuscleCar'' was originally hosted by Lou Santiago and Jared Zimmerman, then later by Rick Bacon, Brent Buttrey, Tommy Boshers, Joe Elmore, Steve Mank, Marc Christ, Daniel Boshears and others throughout the years. ''Detroit Muscle'' is currently hosted by Boshers and Joel McMillan. ''Detroit Muscle'' follows a how-to show format restoring and modifying classic and late model muscle cars.

''Truck Tech''

Truck Tech (previously known as Trucks!) began airing in 1999 on The Nashville Network (now Paramount Network). Trucks! was originally hosted by Mel Fair and

Stacey David Stacey David is the host of the TV series ''GearZ'' on MavTV and Velocity. He has worked on numerous vehicle modification and repair projects. Many of these projects are unique in terms of the final results. The types of vehicles David works o ...

. After David left in 2005, Trucks! was hosted by Kevin Tetz and Paul Vinson, then Ryan Shand, Jeremy Bumpus and others since then. Truck Tech was finally hosted by Lawrence "LT" Tolman and Austin LeFort. Truck Tech followed a how-to show format that showed viewers how to restore, modify, customize and paint classic and late model trucks. Truck Tech has since been rebranded as Music City Trucks, hosted by Marc Christ and Brandon Burke, then by Christ and Eric Smart.

''XOR''

''XOR'' (previously known as ''Xtreme 4x4'' and ''Xtreme Off Road'') began airing in 2005 on Spike TV (now

). Xtreme 4x4 was originally hosted by

Jessi Combs Jessica Combs (July 27, 1980 – August 27, 2019) was an American professional racer, television personality, and metal fabricator. She set a women's land speed class record (four wheels) in 2013 and broke her own record in 2016. She was kno ...

and Ian Johnson. Following the departure of Combs in 2008, Johnson hosted ''Xtreme Off Road'' for many years before departing in 2017. ''XOR'' was then hosted by Jeremy Weckman and Eliza Leon. ''XOR'' is a how-to show format where regular vehicles get turned into off road rigs. ''XOR'' was replaced in the PowerNation lineup by ''Carcass'', a show no longer focused solely on trucks and off-road vehicles, hosted by Weckman and Jimmy King.

Other Programming

Over the years, RTM Studios has produced a variety of enthusiast programs for television and digital outlets including: * ''PowerNation Daily'' (2015 - Current) * ''PowerNation Garage'' (2016 - Current) * ''PowerNation On The Road'' (2016 - Current) * ''American Shooter'' * ''The Gold Prospector'' * ''Motor Trend'' * ''Hot Rod'' * ''Car and Driver Television'' * ''RV Today'' * ''Everything Outdoors'' * ''Top Dead Center'' * ''Search and Restore''

''PowerNation Daily''

PowerNation Daily is a digital automotive news show featuring car and truck news and viral videos. PowerNation Daily is hosted by Gannon Pritchard.

''PowerNation Garage''

PowerNation Garage is a digital how to show hosted by the various hosts of PowerNation.

''American Shooter''

''American Shooter'' was an American half-hour sports program which ran from 1993 to 2003, first on ESPN, and then on TNN (now Paramount Network), and finally, on OLN (now NBCSN). Hosted by Jim Scoutten. The show featured competitions, classic firearms, gun tech, and exhibition shooting. Each episode featured a segment called "Great Guns", featuring a look back at the classic firearms that shaped American history. The segments were originally narrated by Marc Stengel during the first two seasons. Beginning in Season 3 (1995), Scoutten narrated the segments, rather than Stengel. Another segment featured on ''American Shooter'' was Gun Tech, featuring the latest in guns, and shooting gear. This segment debuted in Season 5 (1997), and ran until the end of the series. The final segment of each episode called "Shot of the Week" featuring exhibition shooters demonstrating some shooting tips and techniques. The segments were originally hosted by Michael Blackburn and Byron Ferguson during the first two seasons. Beginning in Season 3 (1995), Bob Munden and John Satterwhite hosted the segments. But Satterwhite departed in Season 4 (1996), leaving Byron Ferguson, and Bob Munden. Byron Ferguson left the show at the end of Season 7 (1999), and was replaced by exhibition shooter Tom Knapp, who joined the show in Season 8 (2000), and stayed until the end of the series. American Shooter was produced by RTM Productions (now RTM Studios). For the first four seasons, ''American Shooter'' was broadcast on ESPN, as part of their ESPN Outdoors block. In 1996, Guns & Ammo magazine bought the show from ESPN, and became ''Guns & Ammo presents American Shooter''. In 1997, TNN picked up ''American Shooter'' as part of their TNN Outdoors block. In 2003, OLN picked up ''American Shooter'', where they aired new episodes.

References

{{Gray TV, state=collapsed 1993 American television series debuts 2003 American television series endings Gray Media