Was the New Mexico town Truth or Consequences named after a television game show?

Answer 1

Yes, the town of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico renamed itself (from Hot Springs, NM) after a game show of the same name.

From the town's own website:

Then in 1950, NBC television and radio producer Ralph Edwards, on the 10th anniversary of the Truth or Consequences radio program, called his staff together and said, "I wish that some town in the United States liked and respected our show so much that it would like to change its name to 'Truth or Consequences.'" Upon hearing the proposition, the New Mexico State Tourist Bureau relayed the news to the manager of the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and the news spread like wildfire.

Here was an opportunity to advertise the city and its resources free of charge! Better still, no longer was our city to be confused with that "other one" in Arkansas and the others throughout the nation (California alone has more than 30 towns called "Hot Springs").

So, in a special city election, 1,294 of the town's residents voted for the change to "Truth or Consequences." On the other hand, 295 area residents opposed the change and a protest was filed. So the city returned to the polls and again voted - by a margin greater than four to one to go ahead with the name change.

Almost 14 years later, in January 1964, the question went to the people again and they voted to keep the city's unique name. A fourth election was held on August 18, 1967, and once more a majority voted to keep the name Truth or Consequences.

Answer 2

Originally named Hot Springs, they renamed the town to win the broadcasting location for the program Truth or Consequences.