Villano
First Post
Most people here probably remember the G4/TechTV merger. For those that missed it, back in 2004, G4 (a small TV network owned by Comcast) bought out the more widely available TechTV. G4 assured everyone that this wasn't a buyout, but a merger and that they weren't going to cancel any of the TechTV shows. Everyone was promised their current jobs as long as they moved from San Francisco to the G4 LA offices (about 300 miles). They even changed the name of the network to G4TechTV.
All but a few people made the move. There were a few bumps. Call For Help, reportedly the most popular show, was cancelled and Screen Savers changed a bit.
That all changed about 3 months later when an office meeting was called and it was announced that all the TechTV shows were cancelled except X-Play and Screen Savers and that everyone was fired and had to have their desks cleaned out by the end of the day.
Eventually, G4 dropped the TechTV, and all that remained from the network was X-Play, Screen Savers, and Anime Unleashed, which merely shows licensed anime series.
The reason for the TechTV purge was that G4 was a gaming network and wasn't interested in non-gaming shows. However, over time, the network began to incorporate some of the old TechTV ideas into its shows. Screen Savers, now renamed Attack Of The Show, began to focus on weird internet items and sexual humor, as well as offbeat guests (similar to Unscrewed). Also, they started adding tech info to Filter. Even Call For Help, which was now produced and aired in Canada returned (albeit to a 9 am slot).
Now the network is at it again. They decided they don't want to be a gaming channel and instead want to be Spike TV. To that end they brought in shows like Fastlane, Brainiac, and The Man Show. This wouldn't be so bad except that they've announced the cancellation of several of their shows, including G4TV.com, Filter, Icons, and Call For Help (again). They aired the last new episode of Filter and G4TV.com today and are ending Call For Help in January.
Aside from X-Play, Attack Of The Show, and probably Cheat, G4 no longer produces any original programming. Cinematech is just slapped together clips of video game, and all the other shows, from Judgement Day to Happy Tree Friends are licensed.
Anyway, this move really ticks me off. How many more times are they going to "change direction" at this network? I enjoyed Filter and G4TV.com. Aside from X-Play and Judgement Day (and possibly Anime Unleashed depending on the series), there's nothing I plan of watching. Hell, I'm not even sure Anime Unleashed will survive.
It's hard to imagine that G4 can build a network on The Man Show, street racing, and 22 episodes of Fastlane.
Sorry for the rant, but I needed to vent. TechTV is dead and buried and whatever original was left at the network was just shoved out the door.
All but a few people made the move. There were a few bumps. Call For Help, reportedly the most popular show, was cancelled and Screen Savers changed a bit.
That all changed about 3 months later when an office meeting was called and it was announced that all the TechTV shows were cancelled except X-Play and Screen Savers and that everyone was fired and had to have their desks cleaned out by the end of the day.
Eventually, G4 dropped the TechTV, and all that remained from the network was X-Play, Screen Savers, and Anime Unleashed, which merely shows licensed anime series.
The reason for the TechTV purge was that G4 was a gaming network and wasn't interested in non-gaming shows. However, over time, the network began to incorporate some of the old TechTV ideas into its shows. Screen Savers, now renamed Attack Of The Show, began to focus on weird internet items and sexual humor, as well as offbeat guests (similar to Unscrewed). Also, they started adding tech info to Filter. Even Call For Help, which was now produced and aired in Canada returned (albeit to a 9 am slot).
Now the network is at it again. They decided they don't want to be a gaming channel and instead want to be Spike TV. To that end they brought in shows like Fastlane, Brainiac, and The Man Show. This wouldn't be so bad except that they've announced the cancellation of several of their shows, including G4TV.com, Filter, Icons, and Call For Help (again). They aired the last new episode of Filter and G4TV.com today and are ending Call For Help in January.
Aside from X-Play, Attack Of The Show, and probably Cheat, G4 no longer produces any original programming. Cinematech is just slapped together clips of video game, and all the other shows, from Judgement Day to Happy Tree Friends are licensed.
Anyway, this move really ticks me off. How many more times are they going to "change direction" at this network? I enjoyed Filter and G4TV.com. Aside from X-Play and Judgement Day (and possibly Anime Unleashed depending on the series), there's nothing I plan of watching. Hell, I'm not even sure Anime Unleashed will survive.
It's hard to imagine that G4 can build a network on The Man Show, street racing, and 22 episodes of Fastlane.
Sorry for the rant, but I needed to vent. TechTV is dead and buried and whatever original was left at the network was just shoved out the door.
