Paramount Network Expands Ink Master Franchise

Paramount Network is growing its Ink Master franchise across multiple platforms, with a two-season renewal of the original tattoo competition series leading the expansion.

The network has also ordered a new spin-off series, Ink Master: Grudge Match, and launched a stand-alone Ink Master channel on YouTube, which will serve as the new home for all video content from the franchise.

Season 12 of Ink Master, hosted by Dave Navarro, will be titled Ink Master: Battle of the Sexes and is slated to premiere on Tuesday, June 11, at 10 p.m. The new 16-episode season will feature male and female teams of artists competing against each other to win $100,000, an editorial feature in Inked magazine and the Ink Master title. Season 13 is slated to premiere in 2020.

Set to premiere this fall, the new series Ink Master: Grudge Match will see former Ink Master contestants hash out old rivalries and compete against each other again. Former Ink Master champions Ryan Ashley (season eight), DJ Tambe (seasons nine and ten) and Cleen Rock One (season 11) will serve as judges.

Ink Master and Ink Master: Grudge Match are produced for Paramount Network by Truly Original (Deal or No Deal, Swamp People, The Real Housewives of Atlanta) with Glenda Hersh, Steven Weinstock and Andrea Richter serving as executive producers.

“The popularity of tattoo culture is at an all-time high, so I am thrilled to expand the incredibly successful Ink Master franchise across multiple platforms and touchpoints for our fans,” said Keith Cox, president of development and production for Paramount Network and TV Land. “Each new season of Ink Master brings forth heightened interpersonal drama and the stakes will be raised yet again in season 12’s Battle of the Sexes and the fall premiere of Grudge Match. Additionally, the new YouTube channel will feature the most infamous moments from past seasons, content from upcoming seasons and exclusives that fans won’t want to miss.”

“With Ink Master, the longer we engage and delve into the tattoo world, the more artistry and complexity we uncover,” said Hersh and Weinstock. “Twelve seasons in, the franchise continues to surprise and inspire us—we love getting to deliver that same experience to viewers, and appreciate the great partnership with Paramount Network that allows us to do it.”