History Creator / G4TV

Throughout 2013 and 2014, only AT&T U-Verse and a few other smaller cable providers still carried the channel to fulfill their contracts to Comcast and NBC. The syndication deals for Series/{{LOST}}, Series/{{Heroes}}, and Series/{{Cops}} ended in September 2014, and the schedule primarily consisted of moldy-old episodes of ''X-Play'', the Anime/MarvelAnime shows, ''Web Soup'', and other G4 originals; all while running advertisements for the Esquire Network and direct-to-consumer ads with the loneliest phone lines in the industry. NBCU finally shut down all G4 channel operations on November 30 2014. The remaining cable companies either dropped it on that date, or carried the channel to it's per-determined contract agreement.

See Series/{{Nerdist}} as a direct SpiritualSuccessor (and also has many G4 personalities working there). Also see Website/ScrewAttack as well as the many gaming personalities on Website/YouTube and Website/Twitch.

Throughout 2013 and 2014, only AT&T U-Verse and a few other smaller cable providers still carried the channel to fulfill their contracts to Comcast and NBC. The syndication deals for Series/{{LOST}}, Series/{{Heroes}}, and Series/{{Cops}} ended in September 2014, and the schedule primarily consisted of moldy-old episodes of ''X-Play'', the Anime/MarvelAnime shows, ''Web Soup'', and other G4 originals; all while running advertisements for the Esquire Network and direct-to-consumer ads with the loneliest phone lines in the industry. NBCU finally shut down all G4 channel operations on November 30, 2014, with AT&T U-Verse as the sole provider carrying beyond the cut-off date.

Throughout 2013 and 2014, only AT&T U-Verse and a few other smaller cable providers still carried the channel to fulfill their contracts to Comcast and NBC. The syndication deals for Series/{{LOST}}, Series/{{Heroes}}, and Series/{{Cops}} ended in September 2014, and the schedule primarily consisted of moldy-old episodes of ''X-Play'', the Anime/MarvelAnime shows, ''Web Soup'', and other G4 originals; all while running advertisements for the Esquire Network and direct-to-consumer ads with the loneliest phone lines in the industry. Through a terse statement which went only to the few small cable providers which carry it, NBCU confirmed the network's death date will be November 30, 2014.

'''G4''' (also known as '''[=G4TV=]''') was a television network known for its focus on [[VideoGames video games]] and geek culture, and infamously associated with [[NetworkDecay network decay]]. Since the inception of the network, it had gone through some [[TroubledProduction serious growing pains trying to find an audience and gain ratings and advertisers.]] Simply put, the channel is OldMediaPlayingCatchUp in television channel form.

The Comcast-owned channel was launched on April 24, 2002 by Charles Hirschhorn. The lineup entirely consisted of gaming related shows such as ''Arena'' (featuring multi-player gaming competitions), ''[=G4TV.com=]'' (interactive talk show connected with the website), and ''Cheat!'' (cheat codes and walkthroughs; think GameFAQs on TV). The channel was struggling to find viewers and get into more homes, as it wasn't available on many cable/satellite providers.

Then, in 2012, the final shoe dropped. With the Comcast[=/=][=NBCUniversal=] merger, G4 gained yet another new president Adam Stotsky (who works with Bonnie Hammer, who is associated with the [[Creator/{{Syfy}} Sci-Fi Channel]]'s network decay). Adam Sessler and Kevin Periera, two long time hosts, left the network (Munn already left in 2010). The two flagship shows, ''X-Play'' and ''Attack of the Show!'' were cancelled and ended their runs on January 23, 2013, effectively ending all G4 studio programming. The network was to be rebranded into the Esquire Network on April 22, 2013, with ''Esquire'' magazine as the partner.

The Esquire Network went through it's own DevelopmentHell[=/=]TroubledProduction period: The date of April 22, 2013 passed and the network didn't launch yet to the lack of programming made and it's launch date was moved to later that summer. G4, by that point became a channel on a robo-feed, going through it's library of original programming, acquisitions, and year-old X-Play re-runs. Finally settling on a date of September 23, 2013, Esquire Network was set to take over G4. So then when the date arrive and after all the promotions about the Esquire Network and the firings and cancellations, G4 was replaced with... [[Film/{{UHF}} nothing!]] [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Absolutely nothing!]] It turned out that [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcu-switch-up-esquire-network-624127 [=NBCUniversal=] decided to use Esquire Network to replace Style Network instead of G4 because it had a broader carriage than G4 ([=DirecTV=] carried Style Network but not G4)]] (And this was announced with ''very'' little notice, so you can imagine the fury amongst Style Network's fans). [[http://xfinity.comcast.net/learn/programming/ Comcast began removing G4 from some of its systems in January 2014]], although several cable providers such as Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Verizon [=FiOS=], and Dish Network dropped it early.

And for the few G4 die-hards out there, here's some cold comfort: the [[http://www.wwd.com/media-news/fashion-memopad/petit-public-7327408?src=nl/mornReport/20131231 ratings for the Esquire Network]] were unable to be measured by Nielsen because they're "too low to meet its “minimum-reporting standard". This will probably eventually change, though for now the launch of the Esquire Network and death of G4 is one of the most tragic cable stories since FNN (the Financial News Network) was sold for parts to CNBC in 1992.

See Series/Nerdist as a direct SpiritualSuccessor (and also has many G4 personalities working there). Also see Website/ScrewAttack as well as the many gaming personalities on Website/YouTube and Website/Twitch.

The Esquire Network went through it's own DevelopmentHell[=/=]TroubledProduction period. The date of April 22, 2013 passed and the network didn't launch yet to the lack of programming made and later it's launch date later that summer. G4, by that point became a channel on a robo-feed, going through it's library of original programming, acquisitions, and year-old X-Play re-runs. Finally settling on a date of September 23, 2013, Esquire Network was set to take over G4. So then when the date arrive and after all the promotions about the Esquire Network and the firings and cancellations, G4 was replaced with... [[Film/{{UHF}} nothing!]] [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Absolutely nothing!]] It turned out that [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcu-switch-up-esquire-network-624127 [=NBCUniversal=] decided to use Esquire Network to replace Style Network instead of G4 because it had a broader carriage than G4 ([=DirecTV=] carried Style Network but not G4)]] (And this was announced with ''very'' little notice, so you can imagine the fury amongst Style Network's fans). [[http://xfinity.comcast.net/learn/programming/ Comcast began removing G4 from some of its systems in January 2014]], although several cable providers such as Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Verizon [=FiOS=], and Dish Network dropped it early.

Through out 2013 and 2014, only AT&T U-Verse and a few other smaller cable providers still carried the channel to fulfill their contracts to Comcast and NBC. The syndication deals for Series/{{LOST}}, Series/{{Heroes}}, and Series/{{Cops}} ended in September 2014, and the schedule primarily consisted of moldy-old episodes of ''X-Play'', the Anime/MarvelAnime shows, ''Web Soup'', and other G4 originals; all while running advertisements for the Esquire Network and direct-to-consumer ads with the loneliest phone lines in the industry. Through a terse statement which went only to the few small cable providers which carry it, NBCU confirmed the network's death date will be November 30, 2014.

Then, in 2012, the final shoe dropped. With the Comcast[=/=][=NBCUniversal=] merger, G4 gained yet another new president Adam Stotsky (who works with Bonnie Hammer, who is associated with the [[Creator/{{Syfy}} Sci-Fi Channel]]'s network decay). Adam Sessler and Kevin Periera, two long time hosts, left the network (Munn already left in 2010). The two flagship shows, ''X-Play'' and ''Attack of the Show!'' were cancelled and ended their runs on January 23, 2013, effectively ending all G4 studio programming. The network was to be rebranded into the Esquire Network on September 23, 2013, with ''Esquire'' magazine as the partner. [[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/11/business/media/in-venture-with-nbc-esquire-expands-into-television.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1& The new network is a more upscale men's network]], and focuses more on cooking, travel and fashion.

So time passed and the big day arrived. G4, by that point became a channel on a robo-feed, going through it's library of original programming, acquisitions, and year-old X-Play re-runs. After all the promotions about the Esquire Network and the firings and cancellations, G4 was replaced with... [[Film/{{UHF}} nothing!]] [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Absolutely nothing!]] It turned out that [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcu-switch-up-esquire-network-624127 [=NBCUniversal=] decided to use Esquire Network to replace Style Network instead of G4 because it had a broader carriage than G4 ([=DirecTV=] carried Style Network but not G4)]]. [[http://xfinity.comcast.net/learn/programming/ Comcast began removing G4 from some of its systems in January 2014]], although several cable providers such as Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Verizon [=FiOS=], and Dish Network dropped it early. Not to mention the angry Style Network fans miffed about the 11th hour switch to Esquire Network. So essentially, they tossed aside one and a half channels or in layman's terms, they wasted a perfectly good network.

As of 2014, only AT&T U-Verse and a few other smaller cable providers still carried the channel to fulfill their contracts to Comcast and NBC. The channel now exists as a vault channel with ''Web Soup'' reruns dominating the schedule, as syndication deals for Series/{{LOST}}, Series/{{Heroes}}, and Series/{{Cops}} ended in September 2014. The schedule primarily shows moldy-old episodes of ''X-Play'', the Anime/MarvelAnime shows, ''Web Soup'', and other G4 originals; all while running advertisements for the Esquire Network and direct-to-consumer ads with the loneliest phone lines in the industry. Through a terse statement which went only to the few small cable providers which carry it, NBCU confirmed the network's death date will be November 30, 2014.

The website [=G4TV.com=] is now a skeleton portal hosting the network schedule, a freemium game portal that's little promoted and visited, and shows the withering bones of the network's dormant social media presence. Some providers replaced the channel with sister network Cloo, while others gave the space to budding networks such as UP and Pivot. Meanwhile, possible spiritual successors to G4, such as ScrewAttack, NormalBoots, and GameSack exist online. Series/AmericanNinjaWarrior is the last remaining remnant of the channel that airs on Creator/{{NBC}} and Esquire Network, and is no longer produced by G4's quasi-parent company G4 Media, which now exists solely to maintain the [=TechTV=] and G4 program libraries.

In 2005, Neal Tiles was named the new network president. He attempted to broaden the channel's scope into a general male-oriented channel in the vein of Creator/SpikeTV. During his reign, more off-network reruns started to air such as the much-maligned ''Series/{{Cops}}'' and ''Cheaters'' repeats. However, this was also the period ''Attack of the Show!'' and ''X-Play'' hit their strides and became the flagship shows of the channel. ''Attack of the Show!'' hired a new co-host Creator/OliviaMunn, and became an Internet/pop/geek culture sensation and ''X-Play'' broadened its scope to encompass all of video game culture. ''Series/NinjaWarrior'' became the network's highest rated show. Despite all of this, there was still struggling behind the scenes. Layoffs continued to save money, the studios were relocated to same building with Creator/{{E}}! and the Style Network and downsized. And then on November 1, 2010, [=DirecTV=] dropped the channel from its lineup, saying that the ratings didn't justify carrying it.[[note]][=DirecTV=] subscribers might also notice that several other networks in the Comcast/[=NBCUniversal=] umbrella had moved to higher tiers in 2012 so this might have to do with carriage fees more than anything.[[/note]]

So time passed and the big day arrived. G4, by that point became a channel on a robo-feed, going through it's library of original programming, acquisitions, and year-old X-Play re-runs. After all the promotions about the Esquire Network and the firings and cancellations, G4 was replaced with... [[Film/{{UHF}} nothing!]] [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Absolutely nothing!]] It turned out that [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcu-switch-up-esquire-network-624127 [=NBCUniversal=] decided to use Esquire Network to replace Style Network instead of G4 because it had a broader carriage than G4 ([=DirecTV=] carried Style Network but not G4)]]. [[http://xfinity.comcast.net/learn/programming/ Comcast began removinng G4 from some of its systems in January 2014]], although several cable providers such as Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Verizon [=FiOS=], and Dish Network dropped it early. Not to mention there are a lot of angry Style Network fans miffed about the 11th hour switch to Esquire Network. So essentially, they tossed aside one and a half channels or in layman's terms, they wasted a perfectly good network.

As of 2014, only AT&T U-Verse and a few other smaller cable providers still carry the channel, due to carrier contracts. The channel now exists as a vault channel as syndication deals for Series/{{LOST}}, Series/{{Heroes}}, and Series/{{Cops}} have ended. The schedule primarily shows moldy-old episodes of X-Play, the Anime/MarvelAnime shows, Web Soup, and other G4 originals; all while running advertisements for the Esquire Network. The website [=G4TV.com=] now hosts free-to-play MMO web games. The channel space that G4 once occupied was eventually filled by an African-American network known as ''UpliftingEntertainment'' on the major carriers. Meanwhile, possible spiritual successors to G4, such as ScrewAttack, NormalBoots, and GameSack exist online. And Series/AmericanNinjaWarrior is the last remaining remnant of the channel that airs on Creator/{{NBC}} and Esquire Network.

And for the few G4 die-hards out there, here's some cold comfort: the [[http://www.wwd.com/media-news/fashion-memopad/petit-public-7327408?src=nl/mornReport/20131231 ratings for the Esquire Network]] can't even be measured by Nielsen because they're "too low to meet its “minimum-reporting standard."

In 2004, Comcast bought out Creator/TechTV (a low-rated, but beloved technology/computer based channel) and merged the channels into [=G4TechTV=], gaining [=TechTV=]'s channel slots on different providers. Much of the [=TechTV=] identity and brand was flushed out, saved for ''Series/XPlay'' and its hosts, ''The Screen Savers'' (which would later become ''[[Series/AttackOfTheShow Attack of the Show!]]''), and ''Unscrewed with Martin Sargent''. The merger lasted less than a year before the channel was changed back into G4, but not without gaining infamy with the [=TechTV=] fans and much of the audience the channel was aimed towards. Despite the huge amounts of change and upheaval, the network still managed to have a dedicated fanbase for the original G4 programming and personalities.

As of 2014, only AT&T U-Verse and a few other smaller cable providers still carry the channel, due to carrier contracts. The channel now exists as a vault channel as syndication deals for Series/{{LOST}}, Series/{{Heroes}}, and Series/{{Cops}} have ended. The schedule primarily shows moldy-old episodes of X-Play, the Anime/MarvelAnime shows, Web Soup, and other G4 originals; all while running advertisements for the Esquire Network. The website [=G4TV.com=] now hosts free-to-play MMO web games. The channel space that G4 once occupied was eventually filled by an African-American network known as ''UpliftingEntertainment'' on the major carriers. Meanwhile, possible spiritual successors to G4, such as ScrewAttack, NormalBoots, and GameSack exist online.

As of 2014, only AT&T UVerse and a few other smaller cable providers still carry the channel. The channel now exists as a vault channel as syndication deals for Series/{{LOST}}, Series/{{Heroes}}, and Series/{{Cops}} have ended. The schedule primarily shows two-year-old episodes of X-Play, the Anime/MarvelAnime shows, Web Soup, and other G4 originals; all while running advertisements for the Esquire Network. The channel that G4 once occupied was eventually filled by an African-American network known as ''UpliftingEntertainment''. Meanwhile, possible spiritual successors to G4, such as ScrewAttack, NormalBoots, and GameSack exist online.

So time passed and the big day arrived. G4, by that point became a channel on a robo-feed, going through it's library of original programming, acquisitions, and year-old X-Play re-runs. After all the promotions about the Esquire Network and the firings and cancellations, G4 was replaced with... [[Film/{{UHF}} nothing!]] [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Absolutely nothing!]] It turned out that [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcu-switch-up-esquire-network-624127 [=NBCUniversal=] decided to use Esquire Network to replace Style Network instead of G4 because it had a broader carriage than G4 ([=DirecTV=] carried Style Network but not G4)]]. [[http://xfinity.comcast.net/learn/programming/ Comcast began removinng G4 from some of its systems in January 2014]] aside from AT&T U-verse and a few smaller cable operators that have deals/contracts beyond that date, although several cable providers such as Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Verizon [=FiOS=], and Dish Network dropped it early. Not to mention there are a lot of angry Style Network fans miffed about the 11th hour switch to Esquire Network. So essentially, they tossed aside one and a half channels or in layman's terms, they wasted a perfectly good network.

The channel that G4 once occupied was eventually filled by an African-American network known as ''UpliftingEntertainment''. Meanwhile, possible spiritual successors to G4, such as ScrewAttack, NormalBoots, and GameSack exist online.

In 2004, Comcast bought out Creator/TechTV (a low-rated, but beloved technology/computer based channel) and merged the channels into [=G4TechTV=], gaining [=TechTV=]'s channel slots on different providers. Much of the [=TechTV=] identity and brand was flushed out, saved for ''Series/{{X-Play}}'' and its hosts, ''The Screen Savers'' (which would later become ''[[Series/AttackOfTheShow Attack of the Show!]]''), and ''Unscrewed with Martin Sargent''. The merger lasted less than a year before the channel was changed back into G4, but not without gaining infamy with the [=TechTV=] fans and much of the audience the channel was aimed towards. Despite the huge amounts of change and upheaval, the network still managed to have a dedicated fanbase for the original G4 programming and personalities.

So time passed and the big day arrived. G4, by that point was a channel on a robo-feed, going through it's library of original programming, acquisitions, and year-old X-Play re-runs. After all the promotions about the Esquire Network and the firings and cancellations, G4 was replaced with... [[Film/{{UHF}} nothing!]] [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Absolutely nothing!]] It turned out that [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcu-switch-up-esquire-network-624127 [=NBCUniversal=] decided to use Esquire Network to replace Style Network instead of G4 because it had a broader carriage than G4 ([=DirecTV=] carried Style Network but not G4)]]. [[http://xfinity.comcast.net/learn/programming/ Comcast began removinng G4 from some of its systems in January 2014]] aside from AT&T U-verse and a few smaller cable operators that have deals/contracts beyond that date, although several cable providers such as Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Verizon [=FiOS=], and Dish Network dropped it early. Not to mention there are a lot of angry Style Network fans miffed about the 11th hour switch to Esquire Network. So essentially, they tossed aside one and a half channels or in layman's terms, they wasted a perfectly good network.

So time passed and the big day arrived. G4, by that point was a channel on a robo-feed, going through it's library of original programming, acquisitions, and year-old X-Play re-runs. After all the promotions about the Esquire Network and the firings and cancellations, G4 was replaced with... [[Film/{{UHF}} nothing!]] [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Absolutely nothing!]] It turned out that [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcu-switch-up-esquire-network-624127 [=NBCUniversal=] decided to use Esquire Network to replace Style Network instead of G4 because it had a broader carriage than G4 ([=DirecTV=] carried Style Network but not G4)]]. [[http://xfinity.comcast.net/learn/programming/ Comcast ceased distribution of G4 to other providers in January 2014]] aside from AT&T U-verse and a few smaller cable operators that have deals/contracts beyond that date, although several cable providers such as Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Verizon [=FiOS=], and Dish Network began dropping it early. Not to mention there are a lot of angry Style Network fans miffed about the 11th hour switch to Esquire Network. So essentially, they tossed aside one and a half channels or in layman's terms, they wasted a perfectly good network.

So time passed and the big day arrived. G4 was no more and it was replaced with [[Film/{{UHF}} nothing!]] [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Absolutely nothing!]] It turned out that [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcu-switch-up-esquire-network-624127 [=NBCUniversal=] decided to use Esquire Network to replace Style Network instead of G4 because it had a broader carriage than G4 ([=DirecTV=] carried Style Network but not G4)]]. [[http://xfinity.comcast.net/learn/programming/ Comcast ceased distribution of G4 to other providers in January 2014]] aside from AT&T U-verse and a few smaller cable operators that have deals/contracts beyond that date, although several cable providers such as Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Verizon [=FiOS=], and Dish Network began dropping it early. Not to mention, there are several Style Network fans who are angry about the 11th hour switch to Esquire Network. So essentially, they tossed aside one and a half channels or in layman's terms, they wasted a perfectly good network.

So time passed and the big day arrived. G4 was no more and it was replaced with [[Film/{{UHF}} nothing!]] [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Absolutely nothing!]] It turned out that [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcu-switch-up-esquire-network-624127 [=NBCUniversal=] decided to use Esquire Network to replace Style Network instead of G4 because it had a broader carriage than G4 ([=DirecTV=] carried Style Network but not G4)]]. [[http://xfinity.comcast.net/learn/programming/ Comcast will cease G4 distribution in January 2014]] aside from a few cable operators that have deals/contracts beyond that date, although several cable providers such as Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Verizon [=FiOS=], and Dish Network began dropping it early. Not to mention, there are several Style Network fans who are angry about the 11th hour switch to Esquire Network. So essentially, they tossed aside one and a half channels or in layman's terms, they wasted a perfectly good network.

So time passed and the big day arrived. G4 was no more and it was replaced with [[Film/{{UHF}} nothing!]] [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Absolutely nothing!]] It turned out that [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcu-switch-up-esquire-network-624127 [=NBCUniversal=] decided to use Esquire Network to replace Style Network instead of G4 because it had a broader carriage than G4 ([=DirecTV=] carried Style Network but not G4)]]. [[http://xfinity.comcast.net/learn/programming/ Comcast will cease G4 distribution in January 2014]], although several cable providers such as Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Verizon [=FiOS=], and Dish Network began dropping it early. Not to mention, there are several Style Network fans who are angry about the 11th hour switch to Esquire Network. So essentially, they tossed aside one and a half channels or in layman's terms, they wasted a perfectly good network.

So time passed and the big day arrived. G4 was no more and it was replaced with [[Film/{{UHF}} nothing!]] [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Absolutely nothing!]] It turned out that [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcu-switch-up-esquire-network-624127 [=NBCUniversal=] decided to use Esquire to replace Style instead of G4 because it had a broader carriage than G4 ([=DirecTV=] carried Style but not G4)]]. [[http://xfinity.comcast.net/learn/programming/ Comcast will cease G4 distribution in January 2014]], although several cable providers such as Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Verizon [=FiOS=], and Dish Network began dropping it early. So essentially, they tossed aside one and a half channels or in layman's terms, they wasted a perfectly good network.

So time passed and the big day arrived. G4 was no more and it was replaced with [[Film/{{UHF}} Nothing!]] [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Absolutely nothing!]] It turned out that [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcu-switch-up-esquire-network-624127 [=NBCUniversal=] decided to use Esquire to replace Style instead of G4 because it had a broader carriage than G4 ([=DirecTV=] carried Style but not G4)]]. [[http://xfinity.comcast.net/learn/programming/ Comcast will cease G4 distribution in January 2014]], although several cable providers such as Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Verizon [=FiOS=], and Dish Network began dropping it early. So essentially, they tossed aside one and a half channels or in layman's terms, they wasted a perfectly good network.

Then, in 2012, the final shoe dropped. With the Comcast[=/=][=NBCUniversal=] merger, G4 gained yet another new president Adam Stotsky (who works with Bonnie Hammer, who is associated with the [[Creator/{{Syfy}} Sci-Fi Channel]]'s network decay). Adam Sessler and Kevin Periera, two long time hosts, left the network (Munn already left in 2010). The two flagship shows, ''X-Play'' and ''Attack of the Show!'' were cancelled and ended their runs on January 23, 2013, effectively ending all G4 studio programming. The network was to be rebranded into the Esquire Network on September 23, 2013, with ''Esquire'' magazine as the partner. [[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/11/business/media/in-venture-with-nbc-esquire-expands-into-television.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1& The new network is a more upscale men's network]], and focuses more on cooking, travel and fashion. So time passed and the big day arrived, G4 was no more and it was replaced with [[Film/{{UHF}} Nothing!]] [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Absolutely nothing!]] It turned out that [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcu-switch-up-esquire-network-624127 [=NBCUniversal=] decided to use Esquire to replace Style instead of G4 because it had a broader carriage than G4 ([=DirecTV=] carried Style but not G4)]]. [[http://xfinity.comcast.net/learn/programming/ Comcast will cease G4 distribution in January 2014]], although several cable providers such as Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Verizon [=FiOS=], and Dish Network began dropping it early. So essentially, they tossed aside one and a half channels or in layman's terms, they wasted a perfectly good network.

'''G4''' (also known as '''[=G4TV=]''') was a television network known for its focus on [[VideoGames video games]] and geek culture, and infamously associated with [[NetworkDecay network decay]]. Since the inception of the network, it had gone through some [[TroubledProduction serious growing pains trying to find an audience and gain ratings and advertisers.]] Simply put, the channel is the trope OldMediaPlayingCatchUp in television channel form.

The Comcast-owned channel was launched on April 24, 2002 by Charles Hirschhorn. The lineup entirely consisted of gaming related shows such as ''Arena'' (featuring multi-player gaming competitions), ''[=G4TV.com=]'' (interactive talk show connected with the website), and ''Cheat!'' (cheat codes and walkthroughs, think GameFAQs on TV). The channel was struggling to find viewers and get into more homes, as it wasn't available on many cable/satellite providers.

In 2004, Comcast bought out Creator/TechTV (a low-rated, but beloved technology/computer based channel) and merged the channels into [=G4TechTV=], gaining [=TechTV=]'s channel slots on different providers. Much of the [=TechTV=] identity and brand was flushed out, saved for ''{{X-Play}}'' and its hosts, ''The Screen Savers'' (which would later become ''[[AttackOfTheShow Attack of the Show!]]''), and ''Unscrewed with Martin Sargent''. The merger lasted less than a year before the channel was changed back into G4, but not without gaining infamy with the [=TechTV=] fans and much of the audience the channel was aimed towards. Despite the huge amounts of change and upheaval, the network still managed to have a dedicated fanbase for the original G4 programming and personalities.

In 2005, Neal Tiles was named the new network president. He attempted to broaden the channel's scope into a general male-oriented channel in the vein of SpikeTV. During his reign, more off-network reruns started to air such as the much-maligned ''Series/{{Cops}}'' and ''Cheaters'' repeats. However, this was also the period ''Attack of the Show!'' and ''X-Play'' hit their strides and became the flagship shows of the channel. ''Attack of the Show!'' hired a new co-host Creator/OliviaMunn, and became an Internet/pop/geek culture sensation and ''X-Play'' broadened its scope to encompass all of video game culture. ''NinjaWarrior'' became the network's highest rated show. Despite all of this, there was still struggling behind the scenes. Layoffs continued to save money, the studios were relocated to same building with {{E}}! and the Style Network and downsized. And then on November 1, 2010, [=DirecTV=] dropped the channel from its lineup, saying that the ratings didn't justify carrying it.[[note]][=DirecTV=] subscribers might also notice that several other networks in the Comcast/[=NBCUniversal=] umbrella had moved to higher tiers in 2012 so this might have to do with carriage fees more than anything.[[/note]]

Then, in 2012, the final shoe dropped. With the Comcast[=/=][=NBCUniversal=] merger, G4 gained yet another new president Adam Stotsky (who works with Bonnie Hammer, who is associated with the SciFiChannel's network decay). Adam Sessler and Kevin Periera, two long time hosts, left the network (Munn already left in 2010). The two flagship shows, ''X-Play'' and ''Attack of the Show!'' were cancelled and ended their runs on January 23, 2013, effectively ending all G4 studio programming. The network was be rebranded into the Esquire Network on September 23, 2013, with ''Esquire'' magazine as the partner. [[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/11/business/media/in-venture-with-nbc-esquire-expands-into-television.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1& The new network is a more upscale men's network]], and focuses more on cooking, travel and fashion. So time passed and the Big Day arrived, G4 was no more and it was replaced with...[[Film/{{UHF}} Nothing!]] [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Absolutely Nothing!]] Because it turned out [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcu-switch-up-esquire-network-624127 NBCUniversal decided to use Esquire to replace Style instead of G4 because had broader carriage than G4 (DirecTV carried Style but not G4)]]. [[http://xfinity.comcast.net/learn/programming/ Comcast will cease G4 distribution in January 2014]], although several cable providers such as Time Warner, Cablevision, Verizon, and Dish began dropping it early. So essentially they tossed aside one and a half channels or in layman's terms... they wasted a perfectly good network.

Then, in 2012, the final shoe dropped. With the Comcast[=/=][=NBCUniversal=] merger, G4 gained yet another new president Adam Stotsky (who works with Bonnie Hammer, who is associated with the SciFiChannel's network decay). Adam Sessler and Kevin Periera, two long time hosts, left the network (Munn already left in 2010). The two flagship shows, ''X-Play'' and ''Attack of the Show!'' were cancelled and ended their runs on January 23, 2013, effectively ending all G4 studio programming. The network was be rebranded into the Esquire Network on September 23, 2013, with ''Esquire'' magazine as the partner. [[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/11/business/media/in-venture-with-nbc-esquire-expands-into-television.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1& The new network is a more upscale men's network]], and focuses more on cooking, travel and fashion. So time passed and the Big Day arrived, G4 was no more and it was replaced with...[[Film/{{UHF}} Nothing!]] [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Absolutely Nothing!]] Because it turned out [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcu-switch-up-esquire-network-624127 NBCUniversal decided to use Esquire to replace Style instead of G4]]. [[http://xfinity.comcast.net/learn/programming/ Comcast will cease G4 distribution in January 2014]], although several cable providers such as Time Warner, Cablevision, and Verizon began dropping the network early. So essentially they tossed aside one and a half channels or in layman's terms... they wasted a perfectly good network.

In 2005, Neal Tiles was named the new network president. He attempted to broaden the channel's scope into a general male-oriented channel in the vein of SpikeTV. During his reign, more off-network reruns started to air such as the much-maligned ''Series/{{Cops}}'' and ''Cheaters'' repeats. However, this was also the period ''Attack of the Show!'' and ''X-Play'' hit their strides and became the flagship shows of the channel. ''Attack of the Show!'' hired a new co-host OliviaMunn, and became an Internet/pop/geek culture sensation and ''X-Play'' broadened its scope to encompass all of video game culture. ''NinjaWarrior'' became the network's highest rated show. Despite all of this, there was still struggling behind the scenes. Layoffs continued to save money, the studios were relocated to same building with {{E}}! and the Style Network and downsized. And then on November 1, 2010, [=DirecTV=] dropped the channel from its lineup, saying that the ratings didn't justify carrying it.[[note]][=DirecTV=] subscribers might also notice that several other networks in the Comcast/[=NBCUniversal=] umbrella had moved to higher tiers in 2012 so this might have to do with carriage fees more than anything.[[/note]]

Then, in 2012, the final shoe dropped. With the Comcast[=/=][=NBCUniversal=] merger, G4 gained yet another new president Adam Stotsky (who works with Bonnie Hammer, who is associated with the SciFiChannel's network decay). Adam Sessler and Kevin Periera, two long time hosts, left the network (Munn already left in 2010). The two flagship shows, ''X-Play'' and ''Attack of the Show!'' were cancelled and ended their runs on January 23, 2013, effectively ending all G4 studio programming. The network was be rebranded into the Esquire Network on September 23, 2013, with ''Esquire'' magazine as the partner. [[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/11/business/media/in-venture-with-nbc-esquire-expands-into-television.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1& The new network will be a more upscale men's network]], and focus more on cooking, travel and fashion. So time passed and the Big Day arrived, G4 was no more and it was replaced with...[[Film/{{UHF}} Nothing!]] [[ScrewedByTheNetwork Absolutely Nothing!]] Because it turned out [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcu-switch-up-esquire-network-624127 NBCUniversal decided to use Esquire to replace Style instead of G4]]. [[http://xfinity.comcast.net/learn/programming/ Comcast will cease G4 distribution in January 2014.]] So essentially they tossed aside one and a half channels or in layman's terms... they wasted a perfectly good network.

In 2004, Comcast bought out TechTV (a low-rated, but beloved technology/computer based channel) and merged the channels into [=G4TechTV=], gaining [=TechTV=]'s channel slots on different providers. Much of the [=TechTV=] identity and brand was flushed out, saved for ''{{X-Play}}'' and its hosts, ''The Screen Savers'' (which would later become ''[[AttackOfTheShow Attack of the Show!]]''), and ''Unscrewed with Martin Sargent''. The merger lasted less than a year before the channel was changed back into G4, but not without gaining infamy with the [=TechTV=] fans and much of the audience the channel was aimed towards. Despite the huge amounts of change and upheaval, the network still managed to have a dedicated fanbase for the original G4 programming and personalities.