MotorTrend Group’s Robust Cross-Platform 2022-23 Programming Slate Energizes and Strengthens Fans’ Connection to the Motoring World
Introducing, inspiring and intensifying viewers’ connection to car culture, MotorTrend’s programming slate features new series with expert hosts and personalities, 14 returning powerhouse series and more than 215 live hours simulcast on MotorTrend TV and MotorTrend+.
[via press release from MotorTrend]
MotorTrend Group’s Robust Cross-Platform 2022-23 Programming Slate Energizes and Strengthens Fans’ Connection to the Motoring World
-500+ Hours of The Biggest Returning Hit Shows, All-New Series and Talent, and Live Automotive Events and Motorsports Including the 24 HOURS OF LE MANS Power MotorTrend’s Streaming and Linear TV Lineup-
Live events, proven hits and brand new series power the most exciting stories in car culture as MotorTrend Group, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, today announced its robust 2022-23 programming lineup for MotorTrend+ and MotorTrend TV, the leading subscription streaming service and #1 linear network, respectively, dedicated entirely to the motoring world. Introducing, inspiring and intensifying viewers’ connection to car culture, MotorTrend’s programming slate features new series with expert hosts and personalities, 14 returning powerhouse series and more than 215 live hours simulcast on MotorTrend TV and MotorTrend+.
“We know cars bring people joy. As the iconic, beloved automotive meda brand, viewers turn to MotorTrend to deliver world class storytelling that deepens their emotional connection to vehicles,” said Alex Wellen, Global President and General Manager, MotorTrend Group. “Our ability to be authentic, feature credible experts and still be entertaining and fun is on full display with our new programming lineup on MotorTrend+ and MotorTrend TV. Whether you’re a diehard car fan or someone who just enjoys driving, we invite you to join the joyride with us.”
Reaching nearly eight million unique viewers on MotorTrend TV – with premieres earning 15% gains versus NBCSN telecasts last year – thus far in 2022, MotorTrend’s streaming and TV coverage of MECUM AUCTIONS returns with 160 hours of live coverage from 11 U.S. cities. Additionally, MotorTrend will continue as the exclusive live streaming and TV home, in the U.S. and Canada, for the legendary 24 HOURS OF LE MANS endurance race, plus an additional five FIA World Endurance Championship races with special extended ways to watch on MotorTrend+.
MotorTrend’s most popular fan favorites TEXAS METAL, BITCHIN’ RIDES and IRON RESURRECTION headline a returning slate of series that attract key demos in primetime. Joining those top franchises are MotorTrend Studio originals including: FASTER WITH FINNEGAN; HOT ROD GARAGE; DIRT EVERY DAY; the cult favorite ROADKILL, the most watched series on MotorTrend+; the annual holiday inspired motor madness of HOLIDAY HOOPTIE CHALLENGE; and more.
MotorTrend will introduce and inspire a new generation of automotive fans with compelling all-new original series headlined by a diverse group of talent and vehicles. Transforming classic cars into amazing, sleek hot rods is the dream job for talented, expert mechanic Javier “Shorty” Ponce, formerly of IRON RESURRECTION, and his team. In the new series SHORTY’S DREAM SHOP (wt) they are building and making dreams come true for owners of beloved vehicles at Shorty’s automotive restoration business near Dallas. Next generation restoration genius Derek Bieri and his wife Jessica, known to millions of fans of the popular Vice Grip Garage YouTube channel, is reviving barnyard finds in head turning ways in ROADWORTHY RESCUES (wt). RUNS GOOD (wt) introduces viewers to Dan Brockett, Shea Seefeldt and Aaron Parker, a trio of young builders and racers who revive neglected project cars, from classic American muscle to modern Japanese imports, to race them in high stakes, competitive events like drag races and drift battles.
Programming highlights from MotorTrend’s 2022-23 programming lineup includes:
*WT indicates working title
New Series
SHORTY’S DREAM SHOP (wt)
Everyone knows the American dream isn’t complete without a great ride. Javier “Shorty” Ponce, formerly of the hit MotorTrend series IRON RESURRECTION, and his team of talented mechanics are helping make dreams come true for classic car owners. At his shop outside Dallas they’re transforming their beloved rides into sleek hot rods. One project at a time they’re building the American dream for car fans from their shop near Dallas, Texas in this all-new series.
HOLDEN BROTHERS GARAGE (wt)
Just outside of Boerne, Texas, north of San Antonio, brothers Willie and Stephen Holden bring visions of speed to life. Featuring a wide array of accessible vehicles (new and old alike) and modest budgets for parts and accessories, this new series follows the guys as they combine craftsmanship and ingenuity to transform attainable cars into something awesome.
RUNS GOOD (wt)
RUNS GOOD (wt) is a new series for a new generation of car lovers. Drifters, professional drivers and mechanics Dan Brockett, Shea Seefeldt and Aaron Parker are on a mission in search of redemption for purpose-built project cars. These vehicles have sat unused on cinder blocks in backyards and side yards, but this trio is working hard to save them, and ultimately taking each car to race tracks and events in search of fulfilling the potential the prior owners could never achieve.
ROADWORTHY RESCUES (wt)
Thousands of great American cars are slowly rotting away in hidden places across the country. Most of these vehicles are long forgotten relics that are destined never to drive down another road. Derek Bieri of the popular Vice Grip Garage YouTube channel wants to change that. He has a deep seeded belief that all these vehicles should get a second chance. Follow Derek as he seeks out abandoned cars from America’s past and gets them running and back on the road where they belong.
Live Events
MECUM AUCTIONS
MotorTrend is the exclusive live streaming and television home of Mecum Auctions, the world leader of collector car, vintage and antique motorcycle, and Road Art sales. Throughout the year MotorTrend is broadcasting and streaming more than 160 hours of live coverage across ten MECUM AUCTIONS including Kissimmee, Fla., Glendale, Ariz., Indianapolis, Harrisburg, Pa., Monterey, Calif., Dallas, Chicago, Las Vegas (autos and motorcycles), and Tulsa, Okla.
24 HOURS OF LE MANS
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world’s oldest active sports car endurance race. Held annually since 1923, Le Mans is considered one of the most prestigious automobile races in the entire world as the small town of Le Mans, France becomes the center of the car racing universe for 24 hours. MotorTrend is the exclusive home of the race in the U.S. and Canada with all 24 hours available live on MotorTrend TV and MotorTrend+ including bonus feeds, on-board cameras and live timing and scoring on MotorTrend+. MotorTrend is also the live home of five FIA World Endurance Championship races in the U.S. and Canada.
Returning Series & Specials
ALL GIRLS GARAGE
This stalwart MotorTrend series taps into the expertise of Faye Hadley and Bogi Lateiner who work behind the gears at an automotive shop. Together they tackle everything from maintenance and performance upgrades to fabrication and engine swaps. In each episode, they break down complex projects into DIY-friendly steps, while showcasing each woman’s unique expertise in the world of automotive repair and service.
BITCHIN’ RIDES
Entering season nine BITCHIN’ RIDES is one of MotorTrend’s most popular series as Dave Kindig, owner and operator of Kindig-It Design, and his team continues turning out one-of-a-kind vehicles for his demanding clientele. Working on all types and periods of cars, viewers see the vehicles rendered, designed, built and restored from the ground up.
CAR FIX
Step inside the ultimate “how-to” series featuring the talents of award-winning builders Brian Fuller and Jeremy Bumpus. In CAR FIX this dynamic duo showcases special hands-on automotive projects including modifications, upgrades and repairs using high-end performance and aftermarket products that car junkies can’t wait to get their hands on.
DIRT EVERY DAY
Hosts Fred Williams and David Chappelle share off-roading know-how, tech upgrades and road trip adventures in the wildest trucks, Jeeps, buggies and go-anywhere machinery. Whether racing or rock crawling, mud bogging or overland camping – get ready to hit the dirt! Can these trucks and various vehicles survive the extreme off-road adventures, overlanding face offs and challenges our guys come up with? Join the guys for all the dirt, mud, giant wheels and wacky surprises this season as they continue pushing themselves to the limit.
ENGINE MASTERS
Join David Freiburger, Steve Dulcich and Steve Brulé of Westech Performance as they put aftermarket performance engine parts to the test on the dyno. From finding the peak performance capabilities of street focused parts to busting long-believed engine fallacies, this team of ENGINE MASTERS evaluate and explain why performance gains work on the most sought-after powertrain combinations.
FASTER WITH FINNEGAN
Do you think you can make your junk go faster in one weekend with a little extra cash? Mike Finnegan, along with Mike Cotten and David Newbern, think it’s possible and they’re going to show you how in the fan favorite series FASTER WITH FINNEGAN. Follow along as they live the ROADKILL life and dive into the ideology, technology and duct tape-ology it takes to build a better beater in a matter of hours without breaking the bank.
FOUR WHEELER
If it has wheels and goes off road, Ian Johnson will work on it. He does everything, from upgrading your daily driving Jeep to building a custom tube-chassis rock crawler. In each episode of FOUR WHEELER, Ian takes viewers along for the do-it-yourself ride as he tackles everything from simple bolt-ons to full on fabrication.
HOLIDAY HOOPTIE CHALLENGE
Your favorite MotorTrend hosts test their endurance and skills in this unique holiday inspired tradition of motor madness. The annual HOLIDAY HOOPTIE CHALLENGE special brings joy and cheer to car fans everywhere as MotorTrend hosts compete in a spectacular display of driving challenges in some of the most questionable hoopties this side of The North Pole.
HOT ROD GARAGE
Longtime co-host and mechanic Lucky Costa welcomes new co-host, racer Alex Taylor, to the HOT ROD GARAGE floor for good times and fast time slips as they finish some current projects, and add some entirely new flavors to the fleet. There will be dragstrips and drifting, road and rally courses torn up by cars from America’s, Japan’s and even Sweden’s rowdiest automakers.
IRON RESURRECTION
No matter the type – busted bikes or rusted out roadsters – every vehicle deserves a second chance to shine. Outside Austin, Texas mechanical master Joe Martin, his wife Amanda, his best friend Jayson “Shag” Arrington and their team at Martin Bros Customs are breathing life back into vehicles of all kinds, shapes and sizes in the hit series IRON RESURRECTION.
ROADKILL
Hold onto your lug nuts! Ride along with David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan on the fan favorite series ROADKILL as the dynamic duo go in search of their next low-buck gearhead adventure in all types of gassers, “barely-legal” street machines and highly strung performance vehicles.
ROADKILL GARAGE
ROADKILL GARAGE is the series where David Freiburger and Steve Dulcich show viewers how to do the wrong thing the right way. Whether the guys are wrenching on project cars from the ROADKILL series or creating their own moving violations, you’ll always get info and action on ROADKILL GARAGE.
TEXAS METAL
With dozens of awards on their walls, crowds of adoring fans, and a several months long waitlist, the team at Ekstensive Metal Works in Houston always has their hands full with rowdy customers, challenging builds and tight timelines. They average 25 to 30 builds a month, working on everything from muscle cars to monster trucks. They specialize in one-of-a-kind custom builds because they are at their best when they are pushing the envelope and that’s exactly what their clients expect.
MotorTrend+ is the leading subscription streaming service dedicated entirely to the motoring world, offering more than 8,100 episodes of world-leading automotive series and specials including: the all-new TOP GEAR AMERICA; the Emmy Award-winning docuseries NASCAR 2020: UNDER PRESSURE; the hit series KEVIN HART’S MUSCLE CAR CREW and MOTOR MYTHBUSTERS; the streaming home for live coverage of MECUM AUCTIONS; plus every season of ROADKILL, TEXAS METAL, IRON RESURRECTION, WHEELER DEALERS, BITCHIN’ RIDES, FASTER WITH FINNEGAN and many more.
Source: Nielsen, L7, 6-min qual, MT 1/10-4/3/22 vs NBCSn 1/11-4/4/21
About MotorTrend Group
MotorTrend Group, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, is the largest automotive media company in the world, bringing together Warner Bros. Discovery’s MotorTrend TV and a vast automotive digital, direct-to-consumer, social, and live event portfolio, including MOTOR TREND, HOT ROD, ROADKILL, AUTOMOBILE and more than 20 other industry-leading brands. With a monthly audience of 26 million across web, TV and print, and 110 million social followers, culminating in 1.3 billion monthly impressions across all platforms, MotorTrend Group encompasses television’s #1 network for automotive fans, a leading automotive YouTube Channel and MotorTrend+, the only subscription streaming service dedicated entirely to the motoring world. MotorTrend Group serves to embrace, entertain and empower the motoring world.
About Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of content and brands across television, film and streaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, discovery+, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HBO Max, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.