Line #6 Creator/G4TV


1	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/g4_relaunch.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:300:''We never stopped playing.'']]
3
4	G4, formerly known as [=G4TV=], was a television network with a focus on [[VideoGames video games]] that originally existed from 2002 to 2014, then later revived as an digital-first brand from 2021 to 2022. The original network went through some [[TroubledProduction serious growing pains in trying to find an audience and gain ratings and advertisers,]] leading it to be one of cable television's most infamous cases of NetworkDecay.
5
6	The Comcast-owned channel was launched in April 2002 by Charles Hirschhorn. The lineup entirely consisted of gaming-related shows such as ''Arena'' (a multi-player gaming competition show), ''[=G4TV.com=]'' (an interactive talk show connected with the website), ''Cheat!'' (a show dedicated to cheat codes and walkthroughs; think Website/{{GameFAQs}} on TV), and reruns of ''Series/{{Starcade}}''. The channel struggled to find viewers and get into more homes since the only major carrier with G4 was Comcast's own cable service.
7
8	In 2004, Comcast bought out Creator/TechTV, a channel focused on computers and technology that was carried on more cable/satellite providers. On May 28, 2004, the two cable channels with similar missions would merge into [=G4TechTV=]. In reality, [=TechTV=] would be flushed out in less than a year's time. Comcast would close the [=TechTV=] production facilities in San Francisco, giving its staff the ultimatum of either relocating to Los Angeles or going out of a job. ''Series/XPlay'' and its hosts; ''The Screen Savers'', which became ''Series/AttackOfTheShow''; Anime Unleashed, a block for {{Anime}} programming; and ''Unscrewed with Martin Sargent'' were the only remnants of [=TechTV=] to survive the merger. (Charles Hirschhorn [[https://www.reddit.com/r/g4tv/comments/k95kyo/clip_kevin_pereira_interviews_the_creator_of_g4tv/ later apologized]] [[OldShame for his actions in essentially killing [=TechTV=]]].)
9
10	Neal Tiles became G4's network president in 2005. Under his watch, G4 broadened its scope into a more general male-oriented channel in the vein of Creator/SpikeTV, [[NetworkDecay while downplaying its central focus on technology and video games.]] G4 obtained more off-network reruns, ranging from sci-fi/superhero/fantasy dramas to reruns of shows like ''Series/{{Cops}}'' and ''Cheaters'' -- the latter programming resulting in [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks a]] '''[[TheyChangedItNowItSucks huge]]''' [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks backlash]] from the network's [[BrokenBase already splintered fandom]]. On the positive side, this was also the era in which ''Attack of the Show!'' and ''X-Play'' became the network's flagship shows. The former brought on Creator/OliviaMunn as a co-host, who became a geek culture sensation. ''WesternAnimation/CodeMonkeys'', a cartoon that parodied 1980s video game culture, went on to become a CultClassic. ''Series/NinjaWarrior'', a Japanese obstacle course game show, became the network's highest-rated show and inspired a successful [[Series/AmericanNinjaWarrior U.S-based spin-off]].
11
12	Despite the growing fanbase for G4's programming, the channel was still struggling financially. Layoffs continued as a cost-cutting measure and the G4 studios were eventually downsized and relocated to the same building as [[Creator/{{E}} E! Entertainment]] and the Style network. In November 2010, [=DirecTV=] dropped G4 as a whole, justifying the move by pointing at the network's low ratings. In response, ''Attack of the Show!'' [[BitingTheHandHumor would begin tearing [=DirecTV=] apart]] for kicking the network off their lineup every chance they got.[[note]]Adam Sessler [[https://twitter.com/AdamSessler/status/1256657986526707712 revealed in 2020]] that G4 was the first [=NBCUniversal=]/Comcast network to negotiate carriage fees, and [=DirecTV=] kicking them off was pushback against the growing Comcast monopoly as Comcast was also a competitor.[[/note]] By 2012, as Comcast finalized the acquisition of mass media company [[Creator/{{NBC}} NBC]]Creator/{{Universal}}, G4 gained a new network president in Adam Stotsky. Long-time G4 personalities Adam Sessler (''X-Play'') and Kevin Periera (''Attack of the Show!'') left the network amidst the rumors of another attempt to rebrand the network. Said rumors were proven true when in December of that year it was announced that G4 would be rebranded as the Esquire Network, in partnership with men's magazine of the same name. Not long after Sessler and Periera's departure, their respective flagship shows were cancelled in January 2013. This brought an end to all studio programming, and while it was eventually decided to leave G4 as is, the network would devolve into endless reruns of old original programming and episodes and a slowly-dwindling handful of syndicated shows during what would be its final years. [[note]][[TroubledProduction Esquire Network would go through its own growing pains even before launch]]. [=NBCUniversal=] originally set the new network's initial launch date on April 22, 2013. A lack of original programming for the new channel forced a delay to September 23 of that year. Because of G4's lackluster distribution and tanking ratings, and because the Style network was deemed too similar to the company's established, women-targeting, lifestyle networks, E! and Oxygen, it was decided to replace that channel with Esquire instead. Despite the hype behind the relaunch, Nielsen could not measure the initial ratings for Esquire Network [[{{Irony}} because said ratings were too low to meet a "minimum reporting standard".]] Three major television providers (Dish Network, [=AT&T=] U-Verse, and [=DirecTV=]) dropped Esquire in late 2016 and [=NBCU=] would shutter the network on June 28, 2017.[[/note]]
13
14	Comcast removed G4 from '''its own''' cable systems starting in January 2014. Throughout the year, only [=AT&T=] U-Verse, the newly formed Google Fiber, and a few other small cable providers carried the channel to fulfill broadcasting contracts. All those agreements expired by midnight EST on December 31, 2014. The network signed off with a game of ''VideoGame/{{Pong}}'' ([[BookEnds referencing when G4 launched with all-week]] ''Pong'' games). [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIaPvsrUG8w You can see G4's symbolic "Game Over" for yourself on YouTube.]] In the years after, the only vestiges of the channel was the sole surviving G4 original series ''Series/AmericanNinjaWarrior'', which is now a staple of Creator/{{NBC}}'s summer lineup.
15
16	!!2021 Relaunch
17
18	In July 2020, to the surprise of well...''everyone'', it was announced that G4 will be revived as a digital-first network, launching on November 16, 2021. The revival was teased with the G4 website coming back up (with a game of Pong that was seen in the announcement trailer, bringing everything full circle), the G4, ''X-Play'', and ''Attack of the Show!'' social media feeds going active once more, and a star-studded reunion special hosted by actor and comedian Ron Funches (and later featuring an appearance from WWE & TNA wrestler and newest member of the G4 family Wrestling/XavierWoods, aka Austin Creed), followed by a Thanksgiving charity stream of ''Videogame/AmongUs''. Both can be [[https://youtu.be/eyBq6apzUHg viewed]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg3x5wuyJoE here]]. This incarnation is being run outside of [=NBCUniversal=], however (partially due to the strange setup the old G4 had; it was majority-owned by Comcast but [=EchoStar=], the creator and former owner of Dish Network, had a stake in [=TechTV=] and this carried over, even after G4 shut down and [=EchoStar=] itself spun off Dish Network to concentrate on satellite hardware); [[https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/g4-tv-teases-2021-relaunch-1234716006/ it's instead under]] Comcast Spectacor, their sports and arena division. Why you might be asking? Because [[https://win.gg/news/5048/defunct-video-game-tv-network-g4-being-revived-by-t1-owners thanks to Tucker Roberts]], son of Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, Spectacor owns a few E-Sports teams, including the ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' team Philadelphia Fusion.
19
20	Throughout 2020 and 2022, more personalities joined the G4 team, including Ovilee May (noted LCS personality), Froskurinn (well-known LEC personality), Alex "Goldenboy" Marvez (well-known eSports caster as well as a personality in the world of gaming), Kassem "Kassem G" Gharaibeh (well-known Website/YouTube personality), VirtualYoutuber [=CodeMiko=], Platform/{{Twitch}} streamer Gina Darling, WebVideo/TheCompletionist, content creator Will Neff, and internet personality WebVideo/TheBlackHokage alongside [[OldMaster returning veterans]] Kevin Pereira and Adam Sessler (hosts of ''Attack of the Show!'' and ''X-Play'' respectively). In addition to that, it was announced in April 2021 that G4 would once again air the classic ''Series/NinjaWarrior'' (along with seasons 35-37 that for the first time for American audiences would be seen) alongside ''Unbeatable Banzuke'' and ''Series/TakeshisCastle Indonesia''. In May of 2021, G4 announced that they would be premiering a new tabletop RPG-oriented series dubbed ''Invitation to Party'', which is a live broadcast of ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''. In 2022, the channel revived ''Arena'', co-produced with the Wrestling/{{WWE}}.
21
22	Unfortunately, it was all for naught. Despite the passion of the staff and fanbase, G4 was not able to achieve sustainable financial results and had low viewership. In August 2022, The Black Hokage would leave G4, and then in September 2022, 20 employees were laid off to cut costs along with Frosk departing the network. And then the final shoe dropped- [[https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/10/16/g4-shutdown-frosk-layoffs-wwe/ On October 16, 2022, G4 operations were shut down immediately with a memo from Comcast Spectacor CEO Dave Scott]], just a month shy of the revival's first birthday. This version of G4 also had a linear television channel, as well as a streaming network called G4 Select that was carried by Creator/PlutoTV. G4 Select was removed entirely on October 21, 2022 from Pluto TV and other streaming carriers. Through October and November, cable/satellite carriers dropped the linear network with Verizon Fios being the last network to carry the channel through it's official sign-off on November 18, 2022 (two days after the network's first birthday), which had a marathon of ''X-Play'' until the final sign-off, a CallBack to the ''Pong'' games that which the network began and ended with, except this time it was drawn on ''Attack of the Show'' host Gina Darling's forehead (a RunningGag on Gina's ForeheadOfDoom) with a voiceover of someone saying "I'm at Comic-Con!" [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpDMi6U5sFU You can see the sign-off here]].
23
24	Unlike the shutdown of the last network, there was a glimmer of happiness for those who loved the personalities and talent behind G4. The ''day after'' G4 ended operations, ''Attack of the Show'' host Fiona Nova, along with ''AOTS'' writer Case Blackwell took their G4 show ''The Feedback'' and launched ''The Backfeed'', a Main/SpiritualSuccessor [[https://popculture.com/streaming/news/tv-show-feedback-g4-canceled-backfeed-hosts-immediately-relaunch-spiritual-successor/ to the canceled program, along with several G4 alums]]. The show's Platform/{{Twitch}} viewers were on par and even ''higher'' then when it aired on G4, and became part of The Cream Team, a Discord/Patreon project helmed by Nova, Kevin Periera, and Kassem G. Along with the almost all of the G4 hosts having healthy online followings and projects while working at G4, it did bring fans some reassurance that G4 will never stop playing, even in spirit.
25
26	Outside the network, Creator/DisneyXD launched their ''D\|XP'' gaming block with content produced by former ''X-Play'' producer Wade Beckett and hosts Kevin Pereira (who produced ''WebVideo/TheAttack'', a SpiritualSuccessor to ''Attack of the Show!'', first premiering on Platform/{{Twitch}}) and Blair Herter. Former G4 head Neal Tiles started "VENN" (the [[FunWithAcronyms Videogame Entertainment News Network]]), with backing from mega-station group Nexstar Media; however, it underwent financial difficulties and they quietly ceased operations in late 2021. ''Code Monkeys'' resurfaced on Comcast's streaming service, Creator/{{Peacock}}, when it launched in 2020.
27	----
28	!!Notable personnel:
29	* Adam Sessler - host of ''X-Play'' (2003-2012, 2021-2022)
30	* Morgan Webb - host of ''X-Play'' (2003-2013)
31	* Creator/KevinPereira - host of ''Attack of the Show!'' (2005-2012, 2021-2022) and ''Arena'' (2005)
32	* Creator/OliviaMunn - host of ''Attack of the Show!'' (2006-2010)
33	* Candace Bailey - host of ''Attack of the Show!'' (2011-2013)
34	* Kristin Adams - host of ''Cheat'' (2005-2009), ''X-Play'' correspondent (2005-2013)
35	* Blair Herter - ''Attack of the Show!'' correspondent, ''X-Play'' host (2012-2013), ''American Ninja Warrior'' host (2009-2012)
36	* Blair Butler - ''Attack of the Show!'' correspondent, hosted "Fresh Ink" segment
37	* Jessica Chobot - ''X-Play'' and ''Attack of the Show!'' correspondent, host of ''Proving Ground'' (2011)
38	* Layla Kayleigh - ''Attack of the Show!'' correspondent, hosted "The Feed" segment
39	* Sarah Underwood -''Attack of the Show!'' correspondent, hosted "The Feed" segment
40	* Zach Selwyn - ''Attack of the Show!'' correspondent
41	* Allison Haislip - ''Attack of the Show!'' correspondent, ''American Ninja Warrior'' host (2009-2012)
42	* Sarah Lane - host of ''Attack of the Show!'' (2005-2006)
43	* Creator/ChrisHardwick - ''Attack of the Show!'' correspondent, host of ''Web Soup'' (2009–2011)
44	* Matt Mira - ''Attack of the Show!'' correspondent, hosted "Gadget [=Pr0n=]" segment
45	* Creator/DianeMizota - host of ''Filter'' (2002-2005)
46	* Tina Wood - host of ''g4tv.com'' (2002–2005)
47	* Laura Foy - host of ''g4tv.com'' (2002–2005)
48	* Geoff Keighley - host of ''Judgement Day'' and ''g4tv.com''
49	* Victor Lucas - host of ''Judgement Day'' and ''Electric Playground''
50	* Tommy Tallarico - host of ''Judgement Day'' and ''Electric Playground''
51	* Wrestling/XavierWoods aka King Woods aka Austin Creed - host of ''Attack of the Show'' (2021-2022), ''Arena'' (2022)
52	* Ovilee May - host of ''Boosted'' (2021-2022)
53	* Indiana "Froskurinn" Black - host of ''X-Play'' (2021-2022), ''Boosted'' (2021-2022)
54	* Alex "Goldenboy" Mendez - host of ''X-Play'' (2021-2022), ''Boosted'' (2021-2022)
55	* Kassem G - host of ''Attack of the Show!'' (2021-2022)
56	* [=CodeMiko=] - on-air talent (2021-2022)
57	* Gina Darling - host of ''Attack of the Show!'' (2021-2022), ''Arena'' (2022)
58	* Jirard Khalil, the WebVideo/TheCompletionist - host of ''X-Play'' (2021-2022)
59	* Will Neff - host of ''Attack of the Show!'' (2021-20221), ''Name Your Price'' (2022), and ''Hey, Donna!'' (2022)
60	* Corey Smallwood, WebVideo/TheBlackHokage - host of ''X-Play'' (2021-2022)
61	* Fiona Nova - host of ''Attack of the Show!'' (2021-2022)
62	* B. Dave Walters - host of ''Invitation to Party'' (2021)
63	* [=AustinShow=] - host of ''Name Your Price'' (2022)
64	* [=JustaMinx=] - host of ''Name Your Price'' (2022)
65	* [=QTCinderella=] - host of ''Hey, Donna'' (2022)
66
67	!!Original programming produced by, and aired on, [=G4TV=] include:
68
69	[[index]]
70	* ''Series/AmericanNinjaWarrior'' -- Originally, ''American Ninja Challenge''
71	* ''Arena''
72	* ''Series/AttackOfTheShow''
73	* ''Series/{{Banzai}}''
74	* ''Blister''
75	* ''Series/BombPatrolAfghanistan''
76	* ''Series/{{Boosted}}'' -- formerly ''The BLEEP Esports Show''
77	* ''Cheat!''
78	* ''Series/{{Cinematech}}''
79	* ''WesternAnimation/CodeMonkeys''
80	* ''Dungeons and Dragons presents: Invitation to Party''
81	* ''Filter''
82	* ''[=G4TV.com=]''
83	* ''Series/GodOfWork''
84	* ''Hey, Donna!''
85	* ''Icons''
86	* ''Series/JudgementDay''
87	* ''WebVideo/{{Kitboga}}'' (planned, never aired animated version of the Scambaiting program.)
88	* ''Name Your Price''
89	* ''Portal''
90	* ''WebVideo/ScottTheWoz''
91	* ''Series/TheScreenSavers''
92	* ''Film/{{Spaceballs}}: The Animated Series''
93	* ''Series/WebSoup''
94	* ''Series/XPlay''
95	[[/index]]

Context Creator / G4TV