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
Email the author Matt Helgeson, or follow on Twitter, and Game Informer.
Used to watch AoTS and X-Play weekly. Now, I'll tune in if I see a good movie or Ninja Warrior on, but the station is not even the same any more. The fact that it's made up of 90% Cheaters and Campus PD doesn't help. If this is of any indication, it's only downhill from here.
At least they can count on having very attractive hosts who dig nerd stuff!
Where do I find pretty girls that talk about video games now?
When Adam Sessler left I stopped going to G4, he was the last person on that network that I actually liked to watch and listen to.
G4 Fails.
Eh, I don't care. I never saw it anyways.
That channel hasn't been good for years. All it ever is anymore is reruns of Cops, Cheaters, College Cops then X-Play and Attack of the Show.
Bring back TechTV! THAT was video game programming. Lots of shows about the roots of the industry and current goings on. G4 is that hot girl that says "lol, such a nerd" because she has glasses.
i stopped watch when Adam Sessler left he had been there since day one when he had that old video game show,then it was tech tv, now hes left kinda suxs and went downhill
Their mistake was trying to get an audience that spent all their time on the web and in games.
GQ Magazine is pretty cool, so a channel for that might work for them. Classier than turning into a low-brow men's channel like Spike, I suppose.
BLASPHEMY!!!!!!!!
you want me to watch G4 again....get rid of cops and cheaters and all that other crap you play nightly....and bring back arena and electric playground and all the shows that made G4 great. until then you will get no views from me
Man the only show that i would watch was between Xplay and code monkeys. Now they wont show those two shows anymore. Whats left? cops and cheaters..please..I'll go to spiketv to watch gametrailers or the internet.
i miss all the old shows like cinematech and arena. why the heck would i wanna watch cops and cheaters
Not really a surprise..