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G4techTV (May 28, 2004 - February 15, 2005) was a satellite and cable television channel which is the result of a merger between Comcast's G4 and TechTV. The headquarters are based in Los Angeles, California, USA. The merger is now seen to be non-existent, as the change of name back to the G4 name will be effective on February 15, 2005, according to a press release by G4 Media, parent company of G4techTV. [1] (http://www.g4techtv.com/html/about/press/showrelease.asp?pressrelease_key=64)
G4 and TechTV merger
On March 25, 2004, Comcast announced its plans to purchase TechTV, a channel devoted to computers and technology. The purchase was completed on May 10, 2004, which allowed Comcast to merge their G4 station with the newly acquired TechTV, resulting in G4techTV. G4techTV officially launched in the US and Canada on May 28, 2004.
G4techTV kept shows from TechTV such as The Screen Savers, as well as shows previously on G4, such as Electric Playground. The merger caused one of TechTV's most prominent personalities, Leo Laporte to leave the channel because of a contract dispute. Leo had been the host of Call For Help, a call-in help show, which was cut after the merger. However, a new Call For Help series began airing on G4techTV Canada, the Canadian affiliate of G4techTV, on August 16. Call For Help 2.0 once again features Leo Laporte as lead host, taking calls from computer users in need of help.
The merger also caused layoffs of studio workers where the jobs overlapped.
On November 11, 2004, G4 announced that many of their employees, including Alex Albrecht, Dan Huard, and Yoshi DeHerrera, were going to be fired. [2] (http://www.kevinrose.com/index.php/weblog/comments/131/) This came as a shock to many, and outrage and anger were expressed on the G4techTV message boards. G4 also announced the cancellation of the late night show, Unscrewed with Martin Sargent; the show's host and supporting staff have been let go by the company.
Shows
(Edited following most recent revamp)
External links
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