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G4 (American TV network)

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G4
CountryUnited States
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California, United States
Programming
Language(s)English
Ownership
OwnerG4 Media (NBCUniversal)

G4, also known as G4 TV, is an American television channel. Originally geared primarily toward young male adult viewers and the world of video games, the channel now has a focus on syndicated programming.

Launched on April 24, 2002, G4 is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, United States, and owned by G4 Media, which is owned by NBCUniversal/Comcast.

In the summer of 2013, the channel is scheduled to be re-branded as Esquire Network, a move described by the Hollywood Reporter as an attempt to target programming to "the largely untapped metrosexual viewership".[1][2][3]

History

Early history

G4 was created by Comcast.[4] The initial concept was to create a service similar to TechTV but "geared more toward MTV's demographics". The channel was launched with thirteen original series.

The launch shows consisted of:

  • Arena: a multi-player game competition between two teams of four players.
  • Filter: a top-ten countdown voted by viewers.
  • Blister: focused on action/adventure game news.
  • Cinematech: described as a showcase for the best high-end digital art.
  • Game On: two hosts competed in video game action come to life with dire consequences for the loser.
  • Sweat: focused on sports game news.
  • Cheat!: tips and cheat codes on video games.
  • Portal: focused on multiplayer online games.
  • Pulse: news on the video-game industry.
  • Judgment Day: currently known as Reviews on the Run, "two video-game gurus will opine on the latest entries."
  • G4tv.com: an interactive talk show on video games.
The first G4 logo used from 2002-2005.

G4 was created and originally led by Charles Hirschhorn, a former president of Walt Disney Television and Television Animation.[5] He expected video game creators themselves to eventually produce programming for the channel. He envisioned that G4 could follow in the footsteps of MTV which in his opinion provided music video producers with a venue for non-traditional television programming.[6] Hirschhorn intended G4 to become a vehicle for unconventional advertising. In 2002, G4 offered advertisers wide latitude to place their products on G4's programs, and even allowing their commercials to appear as if they're a part of the program.[7] G4 also offered what was called a "2 minute unit" which was an advertising package played as if it were part of a G4 program that was long enough to run an entire movie trailer. G4 also offered to sell the right to have a game showcased on the show Pulse.[7]

TechTV acquisition

On March 25, 2004, Vulcan Inc. announced that G4 Media would acquire TechTV and merge it with G4.[8] The combined channel was branded G4techTV. Days before the announced sale, Comcast made plans to close the original TechTV production facilities in San Francisco and offered new headquarters in Los Angeles with openings for 80–100 TechTV employees available if they were willing to relocate. Hirschhorn headed the combined entity.

On February 15, 2005, less than a year after the merger, "TechTV" was officially dropped from the channel's name in the U.S. and the channel became known again as G4.[9] However, the channel's Canadian version retained the "G4techTV" name until mid-2009, when it was renamed G4 Canada.

Change in format

In September 2005, Neal Tiles replaced Hirschhorn as the channel's president.[10] Tiles had previously been a senior marketing executive at DirecTV, Fox Sports and ESPN.[11] He announced that G4 would be retooled as a male-oriented channel, stating that "guys like to play games, but not necessarily watch a bunch of shows with games on the screen".[12]

G4 logo without digital backdrop. Used for almost a year on their programming until May 20, 2012. Still in use on a secondary basis.

Comcast, the parent company of both G4 and E! television channels, announced on October 12, 2006, that it would consolidate its west coast entertainment operations, including G4, E! and Style into a new group headed by Ted Harbert, who had formerly run the E! channel. It was announced that the upper management of the G4 channel would relocate to the E! channel's Los Angeles office.[13] On March 4, 2007, it was announced that the G4 Studios in Santa Monica, California, would close on April 15. Production of G4 programs was relocated to the Comcast Entertainment Group facility, which housed E! and Style Network, in the Wilshire Courtyard complex in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles (G4's original facility remains in use as an E! studio and office facility and was utilized by Chelsea Lately and After Lately until their October 2012 move to Universal Studios Hollywood). As a consequence, many G4 employees involved in production were terminated. The sets of G4's original programs were also redesigned to fit within the new smaller spaces allocated to them.

Harbert gave his opinion at the time that the focus of the channel on "gaming has been demonstrated as being too narrow." He also gave assurances that while G4 might change, it would not become extinct.[14][15]

Blocks and events

In 2007, G4, in association with Earth911,[16] launched an electronic-waste-recycling campaign called Gcycle.[17] As Comcast acquired NBCUniversal in 2011 (thus making G4 a part of NBCUniversal), Gcycle is one of NBC's Green is Universal's initiatives.

Logo used from May 2005 to March 2007. This logo is now used for G4 Canada.

In June 2008, G4 launched G4 Rewind. This block showed older episodes of X-Play, Judgment Day, Cheat, G4tv.com, Arena, Portal, G4's Training Camp and GameMakers. G4 Rewind left the schedule when the summer was over and returned for Daytime reruns for older episodes of X-Play in June 2009 until January 2010. In May 2009, G4's website was completely redesigned with a more prominent role of gaming as the intended purpose.[18] Since the redesign of the website, G4's blog, TheFeed, has been overhauled as well.[19] On July 31 a new web video game discussion series, TheFeed: Nightcap debuted.[20] On August 28, 2009 TheFeed Nightcap was renamed Feedback.[21] It was announced during Comic-Con 2010 that G4 would be the exclusive broadcaster of Marvel Anime which aried in 2011.[22] During the week of July 26, 2010 - August 1, 2010 G4 changed its logo to 4G as a promotion for Sprint Nextel's next generation wireless internet service.[23]

Layoffs and cut-backs

On February 17, 2009, it was reported that G4 intended to cut back its original content programming. X-Play would be reduced to three nights a week while Attack of the Show! would be cut to four nights a week. Consequently, a number of the staff and production crew involved in the shows would be laid off. Layla Kayleigh also left G4 in April after Neal Tiles announced that her contract would not be renewed.[24][25]

DirecTV drops G4

DirecTV announced that it had removed G4 from its channel lineup on November 1, 2010.[26] DirecTV cites low interest in their subscriber base and Nielsen ratings as the primary reason for dropping of the channel.[27][28] DirecTV commented that it was "...unable to reach an agreement to continue carrying the G4 channel and it has been removed from the DirecTV channel lineup."[29]

On October 30, 2010, Attack of the Show! host Kevin Pereira echoed Comcast's sentiments about the decision, stating that "G4 has offered DirectTV the same basic deal they have had for the last three years, but DirecTV has rejected this claiming that they do not see the value in G4."

Reported sale

It was reported that the Ultimate Fighting Championship and WWE were in separate talks to buy G4 in 2011.[30] Talks with both companies apparently fell through, and UFC eventually partnered with Fox, while WWE is in the process of launching their own network.

Changes in 2012

On January 5, 2012, Neal Tiles stepped down as CEO.[31] He was replaced by former NBC marketing chief Adam Stotsky.[32]

Long time employees Adam Sessler and Kevin Pereira left the network during the first half of 2012. Sessler now works at Revision 3 Games.

On May 20, 2012, G4 was given a new graphics package overhaul, still utilizing the current G4 logo, except the bug has moved to the bottom right corner instead of the top, and made transparent. The logo was also rendered in 3-D for their commercials. This overhaul also discontinued "The Feed" ticker, and the "G-Spot" shorts shown during commercial breaks. The network's syndication agreement for Cheaters ended in December 2012.

Termination of studio programming and Esquire Network

File:The Esquire Network Logo.png
Launch announcement and probable on-air logo for Esquire Network.

On October 26, 2012 it was announced that X-Play and Attack of the Show! would cease by the end of 2012.[33] This would end all of G4's studio programming, leaving it only airing acquired and syndicated programming. Reports of G4 rebranding itself in 2013 into an upscale men's channel appeared previous to the recent programming changes. In December 2012 NBCUniversal inked a brand licensing deal with Hearst Corporation, the owner of Esquire magazine, to turn G4 into Esquire Network, which will air shows aimed at a metrosexual audience about travel, cooking, fashion and non-sports related male programming, including the addition of acquired and archive NBCU content such as Party Down, Parks and Recreation, and week-delayed episodes of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.[1] X-Play and Attack of the Show! aired their final original episodes (taped a month earlier) on January 23, 2013. The rebranding was scheduled to take place on April 22, 2013,[2] but was moved to a date in summer not yet specified on April 15, as network GM Adam Stotsky stated the rebranding was moved up in order to have a broader original series slate to launch with than would have been available for the April launch.[3] Stotsky has also confirmed that a new season of American Ninja Warrior will be aired on the network in the summer.[3]

G4 HD

G4 HD is a 1080i high definition simulcast of G4 that launched on December 8, 2008 with the entire suite of Comcast Entertainment Group networks at the time. It is carried nationally on Dish Network and regionally on AT&T U-verse,[34] Cablevision,[35] among other providers in select areas.

Relationship with international G4 channels

A Canadian channel called G4 Canada was launched in 2001 as TechTV Canada by Rogers Media (33.34%), Shaw Communications (33.33%) and TechTV US (33.33%). It uses the G4 trademark under license from NBCUniversal, and initially both channels shared a focus on technology and video game-related programming. However, both channels, since the renaming to G4, deviated considerably from their original roots, although there is still connection between the two channels since many of G4's current programs, including newer series such as That's Tough (although no longer airs since April 2012), Bomb Patrol Afghanistan, Web Soup, Campus PD, and Proving Ground, do air on G4 Canada. G4 Canada also airs older (and often, out-of-date) tech content such as The Lab with Leo Laporte to meet their remit for channel content under Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission guidelines in off-peak periods. Some of their programming blocks parallel each other, such as the Anime Unleashed block paralleling G4 Canada's Anime Current block, and the Midnight Spank block paralleling the ADd block. With the American rebranding, it is unknown if G4 Canada will retain the branding, though the network's CRTC remit requires it to maintain tech content, and the network has had to roll back some of its male-targeted programming in the past due to CRTC concerns.

Hosts

Former hosts

See also

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References

  1. ^ a b Rose, Lacey (December 7, 2012). "NBCUniversal, Hearst Corp. Close Deal to Rebrand G4 as Esquire Channel". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  2. ^ a b G4 Staff (February 11, 2013). "G4 To Be Rebranded As The Esquire Network On April 22nd". G4TV.com. Retrieved February 12, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b c Andreeva, Nellie (April 15, 2013). "Esquire Network's Launch Pushed To Summer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  4. ^ Sieberg, Daniel (April 24, 2002). "24-Hour Video Game Channel Set to Launch". CNN. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  5. ^ Charles Hirschhorn, Forbes.com
  6. ^ Pressing Buttons 10.17.06: The Rise and Fall of G4 (PART 1), 411mania.com October 17, 2006
  7. ^ a b Williamson, Debra (June 10, 2002). "G4 widens playing field for advertisers". Ad Age. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  8. ^ Comcast buys TechTV, San Francisco Chronicle March 26, 2004.
  9. ^ G4 Drops TechTV Handle, Broadcasting & Cable 1/10/2005.
  10. ^ G4 - About - Management - Neal Tiles - President
  11. ^ Neal Tiles bio
  12. ^ Martin, Denise (2006-05-08). "Cablers Make Play for Gamer Demos — G4 Evolving into a Lifestyle Channel, Peppered with Vidgame Culture". Variety. Accessed 2009-10-18.
  13. ^ Comcast Broadens Harbert's Role, Broadcasting & Cable, 10/12/2006
  14. ^ E! pwns G4, Boing Boing OCTOBER 12, 2006
  15. ^ G4 Not Getting Axed, Voodoo Extreme, Oct 16, 2006
  16. ^ Earth 911
  17. ^ Wilson, Mark (April 22, 2007). "Earth Day Roundup: Not Lame, We Promise". Gizmodo. Retrieved October 18, 2009.
  18. ^ Open Source - May 2009
  19. ^ Welcome To An All-New, All-Different Version Of G4tv.com's TheFeed! TheFeed Posted July 9, 2009 - By Raymond Padilla
  20. ^ TheFeed Nightcap, July 31st -- The Pilot Episode! TheFeed Posted July 31, 2009 - By Andrew Pfister
  21. ^ G4 Video - G4tv.com's Feedback
  22. ^ Four Marvel Animated Series Coming To G4 In 2011 The Feed
  23. ^ G4 Channel to Become 4G in a Week of Sprint Promotion New York Times
  24. ^ G4's "Open Source", March 2, 2009
  25. ^ G4's "X-Play", "Attack of the Show" Cut Back, Variety, February 17, 2009
  26. ^ DirecTV Pulls G4 from Lineup - Move Comes After Failed Carriage Negotiations with Comcast, Variety, October 31, 2010
  27. ^ DirecTV drops G4 Entertainment Weekly November 1, 2010
  28. ^ DirecTV Drops Comcast's G4 The Hollywood Reporter November 1, 2010
  29. ^ DirecTV G4 statement
  30. ^ "UFC Looking to Buy G4 Cable Channel, Spike Execs Prepare to Move On". MMA Fighting. June 8, 2011. "WWE: Is the G4 Channel the Answer to WWE's Proposed TV Network?". Bleacher Report. June 9, 2011.
  31. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 5, 2012). "G4 President Neal Tiles Steps Down". Deadline. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  32. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 5, 2012). "Former NBC Marketing Chief Adam Stotsky Named General Manager Of G4". Deadline. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  33. ^ MacKenzie, Carina (October 26, 2012). "'Attack Of the Show' and 'X-Play' canceled by G4". Zap2It. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  34. ^ AT&T U-verse HD Channels
  35. ^ "HDTV channels".
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