AXS TV

AXS TV(pronounced "access") is anAmericanspecialty televisionchannel. Majority-owned byAnthem Sports & Entertainment, it is devoted primarily to live music programming, entertainment, andcombat sports—includingmixed martial artsandprofessional wrestling.

The network was originally established in 2001 asHDNet, with investorMark Cubanas a founding partner. HDNet was originally intended as an exclusively-high-definitionnetwork, carrying general entertainment, concerts, and sporting events in the format. In 2012, with the network's original purpose becoming redundant (due to most mainstream cable networks now having HD feeds), HDNet sold stakes toAnschutz Entertainment Group(AEG),Creative Artists Agency, andRyan Seacrest(with Cuban retaining a majority stake), and rebranded under its current name (taken from AEG's online ticket platformAXS.com) on July 2, 2012—with the network shifting its content to include more entertainment and pop culture-oriented programming, alongside its existing live music content.

In September 2019, Anthem acquired a majority stake in AXS, with AEG and Cuban retaining minority stakes.