Comcast Spectacor announced that the company will be shutting down gaming-focused G4 TV, effective immediately. The announcement comes weeks after major figures of G4 either left on their own or were abruptly let go.
The return of the beloved gaming-focused TV channel G4 TV was well talked about and hyped leading up to its eventual launch in 2021. Sadly, the endeavor to draw back the Millennial viewership that was fond of G4 TV in the early 2000s did not gain the traction Comcast Spectacor hoped. Though the show is adored by fans aware of its brand, it failed to reach a new audience and gain anything more outside the occasional viral moment. Comcast's revival of the G4 network has come to an abrupt but telegraphed end only a year after it was announced. In an email memo secured by DEADLINE, Comcast Spectacor CEO Dave Scott said the channel failed to gain traction despite investment.
DEADLINE places the number of employees affected by the Sunday evening layoffs at "a couple of dozen" and the company promises to assist them with outplacement or internal opportunities at Comcast Spectacor. The G4 TV revival with landmark shows like Attack of the Show, Xplay, and Boosted all attempted to regain the popularity of its first incarnation. Despite charismatic hosts, engaging conversations, and fun content, the competition with Twitch and YouTube streamers was too much for the company to endure. Members of G4 talent and production staff were let go in September and the voluntary departure of personalities Indiana "Froskurinn" Black and Kevin Pereira followed soon after.
Team:
As you know, G4 was re-introduced last year to tap into the popularity of gaming. We invested to create the new G4 as an online and TV destination for fans to be entertained, be inspired, and connect with gaming content. Over the past several months, we worked hard to generate that interest in G4, but viewership is low and the network has not achieved sustainable financial results. This is certainly not what we hoped for, and, as a result, we have made the very difficult decision to discontinue G4’s operations, effective immediately. I know this is disappointing news, and I’m disappointed, too. I want to thank you and everyone on the G4 team for the hard work and commitment to the network. Our human resources team is reaching out to you to provide you with support, discuss other opportunities that may be available, and answer any questions you may have.
Thank you again for all of your hard work for G4.
Sincerely,
Dave Scott
Chairman and CEO
Comcast Spectacor
As word spread about G4 TVs' demise on Twitter, it looks like the email memo did not get to the G4 TV employees before DEADLINE dropped the news. Members of the production staff reportedly were showing up to film content, heard that filming was canceled, and met with HR representatives individually. Esports commentator Alex "GoldenBoy" Mendez tweeted that he was in the middle of negotiating a new contract with G4 and Comcast. Jirard "The Completionist" Khalil found out from a Wario 64 tweet. GoldenBoy, The Completionist, YouTubers KassemG and Scott "Scott the Woz" Wozniak, WWE Superstar Austin Creed aka Xavier Woods, and others all have prior endeavors outside G4 TV that they possibly will return to, but many other staffers will be looking for new opportunities.
The G4 shutdown joins a string of abrupt downsizing in the video game media space. G4's first wave of layoffs began in July. GameStop also laid off a large portion of its Game Informer Editorial team amid efforts to find its new niche in the gaming space. Fanbyte let go of a large section of its editorial team in September, and Fandom recently acquired Metacritic, GameSpot, Giant Bomb, and other entities, to cap to highlight some of the volatility in games media in recent months.
Source: DEADLINE