This editorial is in response to Neal Tides' "Open Source" article.
After reading G4TV CEO Neal Tiles' (incredibly long) explanation to the community regarding G4's format change I can officially say I've given up the fight, one that most people gave up LONG ago, one that I probably should have given up with them. Gaming TV is dead. Technology TV is dead. G4 aien't going back. Their ratings are improving as they change and that's enough for them to rule out EVER going back.
It's probably an understatement to say that I've been very critical of the way G4 has been handled over the past few years but I'm going to have to agree with most of what Mr. Tiles has written. Whether we like it or not, G4 isn't a not-for-profit network and has to make money. When Tiles was brought on to replace Charles Hirschhorn, G4 was in more homes than ever, but their viewership wasn't spiking to match. Tiles could have done one of two things. He could have stuck with gaming TV and hoped the gaming crowd suddenly discovered G4 and came en masse or he could have changed the network's game plan in hopes of attracting new viewers.
Sure, Neal could have stayed with the 24/7 tech/gaming model and maybe it could have worked out, but he inherited a BROKEN network. The TechTV merger was handled terribly and ended up splintering their core audience and giving everyone a generally sour taste in their mouths after seeing layoffs, cancellations and general chaos. The gaming community already had a very negative view of G4, so to hope that they'd suddenly decide G4 was cool was a stretch, to say the least. Who can we blame for this? Comcast? Hirschhorn? Sindelar? Who knows, but Tiles was brought in to clean up the mess.
So, unfortunately for the few of us that were still gaming TV believers, we got COPS, we got Cheaters, JKX and Totally Outrageous Behavior, which may not fit the network's vision, but bring in tons of viewers which in turn results in higher ratings and more money through advertisers. Mix in a broadened focus from gamers/techies to young men in general and you've got a pretty good pitch to give the disgruntled Comcast executives on fixing thier ailing network. G4 was floating alone in the ocean and instead of waiting and hoping for a rescue boat, they decided to try and swim for shore. You can't blame them for that.
Could "G4: Videogame TV" have been saved? Honestly, after "G-Day" (see: post TechTV merger) I don't think there was any saving it. It's reputation with the the very audience it relied on was too tarnished. Could gaming TV be saved? Absolutely... but... not at G4. Someone out there, someday could try again (I'm looking at you Scot Rubin) and maybe with a fresh start and lessons learned from G4, a 24/7 network about pixelated plumbers, wannabe footballers and guys who roleplay as orcs could get a second chance, but if or when? Your guess is as good as mine.
So, this is it, G4. We're breaking up. G4 isn't about us anymore, it isn't FOR us anymore and they've finally given acceptable reasons as to why. So, good luck G4, hopefully you'll find what you're looking for, hopefully we, as gamers, as technology enthusists, as geeks, will find what we're looking for as well. G4 Rewind will quit complaining about totally irreverent content on G4 and we promise never to get really drunk and throw a bag of ice through your office window ever again.
Instead,G4 Rewind will continue to remember the good ole' days (as long as G4 isn't suing us) and hope for future ones, even if it means they'll be on another channel.
Yours Truly,
-KnuxSonic
