The lights are on
The cable network, which was originally designed as a 24-hour video game station, has been moving away from its original format for some time. Now, reports have surfaced that G4 may receive a suave makeover -- with a name change for the network possible.
The entertainment industry bible Variety is reporting that NBCUniversal, which owns G4, is planning to rebrand the network, focusing on a more upscale, stylish format aimed at the "modern male." Variety says the format could be similar to the men's fashion and culture magazine GQ.
Since its inception, G4 has struggled to find an audience, though a few shows like its long-running video game/pop culture program Attack of the Show! and American Ninja Warrior have been successful. Recently, popular X-Play host Adam Sessler (and the G4 personality with the strongest ties to the game industry) parted ways with the network. It's not known if that parting has anything to do with the network's rebranding.
The network appointed a new general manager early in 2012, former NBC marketing executive Adam Stotsky.
While video games would likely remain a part of this new, lifestyle oriented approach, it appears that the network that was to be devoted to video games is moving farther away from its roots.
Source: Variety
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Well damn. Should have seen this coming. I knew the network was slowly fading, but I think Sessler leaving was the nail in the coffin that did them in.
R.I.P. G4, you haven't been relevant since the mid 2000's anyway.
Sad but not really surprised to see it. X-Play is still fun, but other than that they've pretty much got nothing worth watching on TV, so they might as well try something different. They do still have a lot of awesome people and interesting game content on their site, though. I wonder how they/that will be affected.
I never got a chance to watch anything on G4 because the cable company I had didn't carry it, and I dislike Satellite TV so I won't switch. Sad that they're switching formats, but honestly a 24 hr game channel doesn't sound that appealing, it has to get old eventually. If it was an internet channel, I'd be more willing to watch the shows, but that's just my opinion on it.
So they're just changing the name.
It's kind of surprising that it's taken G4 so long to make a complete overhaul. Besides ATOS what other show do they have that brings in viewers? They're making the right move. Keep ATOS though, even without Kevin Pereira, that show still rocks.