G4 (American TV network)

"G4tv" and "G4tv.com" redirect here. For the weekly show with the same name, see G4tv.com (TV series).

G4
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaNationwide
Headquarters1840 Victory Boulevard, Glendale, California, U.S.
Programming
Language(s)English
Ownership
OwnerComcast Spectacor
ParentG4 Media
History
LaunchedApril 24, 2002; 22 years ago (2002-04-24) (original)
November 16, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-11-16) (relaunch)
FounderCharles Hirschhorn
ReplacedTechTV
ClosedDecember 31, 2014; 9 years ago (2014-12-31) (original)
November 18, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-11-18) (relaunch)
Former namesG4techTV (2004–2005)

G4 (also known as G4TV) was an American pay television and digital network owned by NBCUniversal and later Comcast Spectacor that primarily focused on video games.[1][2]

The network was originally owned by G4 Media, a joint venture between the NBCUniversal Cable division of NBCUniversal and Dish Network by the time of the channel's initial closure, and first launched on April 24, 2002. In late 2012, G4's studio programming ceased in preparation for a planned relaunch as Esquire Network, as part of a licensing deal with Hearst Corporation, owner of Esquire magazine. Esquire Network would ultimately replace Style Network instead, on September 23, 2013.[3] G4 announced in November 2014 that it would end all operations.[4][5][6] The network was originally shut down on December 31, 2014. By August 2013, it was reported that approximately 61,217,000 American households (53.61% of households with television) were receiving the network.[7]

On July 24, 2020, a revival of the G4 brand was announced; the network relaunched on November 16, 2021.[8][9][10][11] On October 16, 2022, it was announced[12] that Comcast would soon be shutting down the network.[13] Its final day of operation was November 18, 2022.[citation needed]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Spectacor was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Stedman, Alex (November 26, 2020). "G4's New Host Xavier Woods on the Network's Revival: 'This Is the Gaming Culture'". Variety. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  3. ^ Rose, Lacey (September 9, 2013). "NBCU Switch-Up: Esquire Network to Take Over Style, Not G4 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  4. ^ "G4 to be Discontinued". GBT. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  5. ^ "G4 Channel Will Cease Airing on November 30, 2014" (PDF). Union Information Systems, Plainfield, Wisconsin (Press release). November 5, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  6. ^ "Saying Goodbye to G4". Great Plains Communications, Blair, Nebraska (Press release). November 4, 2014. Archived from the original on November 17, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  7. ^ Seidman, Robert (August 23, 2013). "List of How Many Homes Each Cable Networks Is In - Cable Network Coverage Estimates As Of August 2013". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 25, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  8. ^ Spangler, Todd (July 24, 2020). "Long-Dormant Gaming Network G4 TV Teases 2021 Relaunch by Comcast Spectacor". Variety. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  9. ^ @G4TV (January 28, 2021). "INCOMING TRANSMISSION" (Tweet). Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ "G4tv.com - Video Games, Game Reviews & News". g4tv.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  11. ^ Makuch, Eddie (October 12, 2021). "G4TV Returns November 16". GameSpot. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  12. ^ Keys, Matthew (October 17, 2022). "Comcast shutting down digital network G4". The Desk. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  13. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (October 16, 2022). "G4 Is Being Shut Down Less Than a Year After It Launched". IGN. Retrieved October 17, 2022.