Tech TV: Difference between revisions

In 2000, when the network [[Retool|rebranded itself]] as TechTV following the purchase of ZDNet by rival CNet (and the network's assets being sold to [[Microsoft]] co-founder Paul Allen), it launched a major push into live programming with a nine-hour live block. This eventually mutated into several live or semi-live shows, including ''The Screen Savers'', ''Unscrewed With Martin Sargent'', and ''Call For Help''. (There were also a handful of taped shows, including video game review show ''Gamespot TV'' -- later renamed into ''Extended Play'' and then eventually renamed to just ''[[X -Play]]''.) Late into its run, the network also broadcast a handful of [[Anime]] programs (including ''[[Soul Taker (Animeanime)|Soul Taker]]'' and ''[[Crest of the Stars]]'').

The network rebounded in 2003, though, thanks to new shows (specifically ''Unscrewed'') which debuted in that year. This was shortly ''after'' Comcast dropped [[Tech TV]] from its lineups nationwide, though -- in favor of its own G4 network, which focused on video games instead of technology. (There are rumors that this was done [[Screwed Byby the Network|to devalue TechTV]] in advance of...well, read on.)

In 2004, Comcast bought TechTV and merged it with G4, then issued an [[Executive Meddling|ultimatum]] to the casts and crews of all of TechTV's shows: "Move to Los Angeles or you're fired." Most of the staff and talent chose Option B, which was wise -- [[Screwed Byby the Network|nearly everyone who picked Option A got their shows cancelled]]. The few shows that were left suffered from meddling to an absurd degree. As of 2011, the ''one'' show from the TechTV days that still runs on G4 is ''[[X -Play]]'' (its original host, Adam Sessler, was still with the network until 2012). ''[[The Screen Savers]]'' was eventually [[Retool|retooled]] into G4's ''[[Attack of the Show (TV)|Attack of the Show]]''; that show is still active, but it now bares little resemblance to its original parent program, barring a brief segment that reviews new tech gadgets. G4 itself [[Network Decay|has abandoned]] both its original focus (video games) ''and'' TechTV's (technology) in favor of becoming a slightly nerdier alternative to Spike TV. Many who enjoyed the original formats of TechTV and pre-merger G4 have [[Broken Base|been quite vocal with their displeasure]], and it's popularity has faded a great deal since then, although a few hit shows like [[X -Play]] and [[Attack of the Show]] have kept it relevant. To put in perspective, the premiere of ''Proving Ground'' [http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-tv-column-g4-pulls-this-weeks-proving-ground-after-ryan-dunns-death/2011/06/20/AGZyWVdH_story.html got 31,000 viewers], less than the population of Juneau, [[Alaska]], while the [[UFC]] passed by the opportunity to own G4 for their own network for a deal with Fox. DirecTV even found so little to value in the network that they ''[http://news-briefs.ew.com/2010/11/01/directv-drops-g4/ dropped it]'', and DirecTV almost never drops networks in comparison with Dish Network.

* Adam Sessler (The original host of ''Gamespot TV''/''Extended Play''; co-hosted ''[[X -Play]]'' until he abruptly left in 2012)

* Morgan Webb (Co-host of ''X-Play'' who started out as on-screen talent for ''The Screen Savers''; still co-hosting ''[[X -Play]]'')