truTV Rings Up More Episodes of Breakout Hit HARDCORE PAWN

In advance of the season 8 premiere of Hardcore Pawn this week, truTV is already heading back to Detroit for more episodes of the breakout hit. Hardcore Pawn is an eye-opening look at one of the country's largest pawnshops and the family that runs it. The season 8 premiere is set to air tomorrow night, Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT).

Hardcore Pawn has averaged 2.7 million total viewers in 2013, ranking as basic cable's #1 unscripted series in the Tuesday 9 p.m. timeslot. truTV has ordered 13 episodes in this latest round, bringing the season eight total to 26.

"Hardcore Pawn and The Gold family have clearly resonated with our audience, and we are extremely glad that they will continue to be a part of the truTV lineup," said Chris Linn, president, head of programming for truTV.

truTV's Hardcore Pawn takes viewers behind the scenes of the immense American Jewelry & Loan, a family business owned by third-generation pawnbroker Les Gold. Working with Les are his son, Seth, who is being groomed to eventually take over the store, and daughter, Ashley, who thinks Seth isn't ready for the top job.

In season eight, Les will be at his all-time best as master negotiator and changes are in store. The Dec. 17 premiere will pick up where the previous season's shocking finale left off. After a devastated Les discovers Seth has been working in another pawnshop behind his back, the question on everyone's mind is: "Will Seth turn his back on the family business for good?" Also in the season opener, Ashley gets spooked by a skeleton rock band; Bobby J. tosses the pigskin for a big win; and a vintage watch leads to a very surprising offer from Les.

Hardcore Pawn comes to truTV from Zodiak New York with Mike Gamson and Richard Dominick serving as executive producers.

About Zodiak New York

Based in New York and led by Chief Creative Officer Mike Gamson, Zodiak New York focuses on character-based reality programming for east coast networks. Zodiak New York's credits include over 100 episodes of the critically acclaimed series Wife Swap for ABC, as well as truTV's two highest rated series, Hardcore Pawn and Lizard Lick Towing. Zodiak New York is part of Zodiak Americas, the North, Central and South American operation for Zodiak Media. Zodiak Media consists of 45 production companies with a presence in 20 countries, including the U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia and Russia. Zodiak Rights, the international rights business of Zodiak Media, boasts a growing catalog of over 15,000 hours of content.

About truTV

truTV, one of cable's fastest growing brands, offers a wildly entertaining look at the real world through outrageous characters, unpredictable situations and irreverent storytelling. Currently seen in 92 million U.S. households, truTV features such popular original series as Hardcore Pawn, Impractical Jokers, Guinness World Records(R) Unleashed, Lizard Lick Towing, Killer Karaoke, Upload with Shaquille O'Neal, Storage Hunters, Full Throttle Saloon, South Beach Tow, World's Dumbest... and Operation Repo. In addition, truTV is a partner in airing the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

Need more TV Theatre News in your life? Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...