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G4 (American TV network)

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G4
Ownership
OwnerG4 Media, Comcast Corporation

G4 is an American cable and satellite television channel originally geared toward male viewers aged 12–34 and devoted to the world of video games and the video game lifestyle. More recently, the channel has diverted its focus to general interest programming that targets male viewers aged 17–36. G4 launched on April 24, 2002 [1]. It is headquartered in Los Angeles, California and owned by G4 Media (which, in turn, is owned primarily by Comcast). G4 is available in 59 million cable and satellite homes nationwide [2].

The name "G4" originally stood for the four generations of video games (text, sprites, polygons and textures). However, the form of the name is similar to such computer-age abbreviations as i18n for internationalization and can be considered as intentionally fashionable.

On April 25, 2006, G4 was reported to be the least viewed basic cable network in America.[3] However, G4 claims to be the #1 most podcasted cable network in America with 6 of its shows in iTunes Top 100 rankings. [4] They also tout themselves as the fastest growing network on television for 2006, although there is no information to make this claim. A recent TV Week article claims that G4 ranks 57th of 64 basic cable TV Networks[1]


TechTV merger

On March 25, 2004, G4 announced a merger with TechTV, creating a new entity called G4techTV. Reaction to this news was mixed among viewers of both channels, seeing the removal of several popular shows from both G4 and predominantly TechTV, and the firing of many employees (including the temporary termination of all 300 TechTV employees). 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 is now known only as G4. However, on the network's affiliate in Canada, the TechTV name still remains, and the channel is known as G4techTV Canada.

Consolidation

Comcast, the parent company of both G4 and E! Networks, announced on October 12, 2006, that it would consolidate the two channels' management. Ted Harbert, the CEO of the newly-created Comcast Entertainment Group announced it is likely that some G4 staffers will be laid off, though "it's too soon to tell." [5][6]

Format

On September 19, 2005, it was reported by TVweek.com that former DirecTV executive Neil Tiles had replaced G4 founder Charles Hirschhorn as the channel's CEO. Also reported was a managerial decision to decrease G4's emphasis on video game coverage, in favor of a shift toward a male general interest programming format, reminiscent of Spike TV.

Beginning with G4's September 2005 acquisition of The Man Show, an alternative version of the channel's logo (featuring its website address in lieu of the slogan "Videogame TV") was introduced and used with increasing frequency. As of February 2006, the logo transition and program reformatting appears to be virtually complete.

Variety.com reported, Now, under the aegis of Comcast and new prexy [2] Neal Tiles, G4 is evolving into a lifestyle channel, peppered with videogame culture, as opposed to wall-to-wall games.

"We're going through a change. Guys like to play games, but not necessarily watch a bunch of shows with games on the screen," Tiles says. "So what we're doing now is expanding G4 from a network solely defined by videogames to one inspired by them." [7]

Criticism

The numerous changes to the network's programming have brought on a storm of criticism from longtime G4 fans, many claiming that the channel has strayed too far from its gaming roots. With most of the remaining G4 original shows having been severely altered, many see this as G4's ongoing attempt to be a competitor to other male-oriented networks such as Spike TV.

Many TechTV fans have expressed displeasure about G4's takeover of that channel, feeling that TechTV was essentially "destroyed" by G4's merger. It led to the cancellation of all but one of the remaining TechTV shows, X-Play, which currently also happens to be the highest rated show on G4 [8].

Website and message boards

Before, during, and after the merger, the website and message boards have changed in several extents - name changes, slight aesthetic changes, and numerous minor changes. However, on the message boards, it seems rules have changed in several extents to accommodate the newer TechTV fanbase, since their own message boards originally did not use graphics and image-extensive signatures. Signature size Limits [400x300 pixels, 100kb] have been enforced, and a strict one-image only policy has been implemented. Also, numerous other changes have been made - most likely to go along with the new "male oriented" look the network is trying to maintain, has allowed posting of external links to pornography [with disclaimer], and posting of "real" guns - since such a thing was, for whatever reasons, not allowed prior to the new rule listings.

Category ordering has changed extensively - older shows, such as Portal, a show no longer continued by the G4, have had their discussion categories removed. Some forums have been merged together, and others removed entirely, due to lack of use or other, more debatable subjects.

The merger and the new male-oriented appeal has caused mostly negative reaction on the fanbase's end. There have even been "Anti-G4" websites, message boards, and things of the sort adopted to try and petition the changes - amongst other things. Regardless, with hundreds of thousands of posts, the network and related website/community continues.

A redesign of the network's website, featuring a Flash interface and designed for broadband launched on April 23, 2006. The newest version of the site features a heavier focus on video, interactive TV, and podcast content, with the video content in Flash for universal browser compatibility, although that doesn't make any sense.

G4techTV Canada

Also see G4techTV Canada

G4techTV Canada is co-owned by G4 Media and Rogers Media. Because of the co-ownership between G4 and Rogers, and the network's licensing with the CRTC as a technology channel, the rename of February 15, 2005 did not take effect in Canada. Also, due to CRTC programming regulations, some programs which air on G4 in the U.S. do not air on G4techTV Canada; those shows are instead replaced by Canadian-produced technology programming. G4techTV Canada is very different from its American counterpart because of these CRTC regulations. While G4techTV focuses on technology programming and related lifestyle programming that TechTV originally had, G4 has been heading into a male orientated programming direction with less of an emphasis on gaming and more on male general interests.

Current shows

Video Game Mash-Up

Midnight Spank (formerly G4 Late Nights, Barbed Wire Biscuit block):

G4 Sunday Nights (formerly The Whip Set):

Internet Shows:

Annual programs:

Specials:

Former shows

Note: This list includes show that aired while the network was called G4techTV.

Logos

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=10889
  2. ^ Variety slang for "President"

External links

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