Championship Gaming Series comes to G4
So I was practicing my vomiting skills today, in preparation for the launch of the hotly-anticipated "Hurl" when I noticed an email from G4 in my inbox. Could this be it? My invitation to compete in Hurl? My (next) 15 mintues of fame?! I quickly put down my 14LB burrito and wiped the dripping grease off my fingers to check the email, only to realize it was nothing of the sort. How disappointing! It was just some announcement for a video game show or something... I guess I'll fill you in since the burrito is now cold.
G4 and the Championship Gaming Series (CGS) inked a deal today to air four 90 minute specials covering the "only worldwide professional video game league."
"By bringing Championship Gaming Series to the network, we are giving our audience the rare opportunity to watch some of the world's best gamers in action. The competition is certain to appeal to our viewers," said Neal Tiles, President, G4.
"CGS programming will debut July 16 on G4 with the league's 2008 North America playoffs. The network will air four 90-minute episodes in total: the 2008 North America Final on Wed., July 16 at 9 p.m. ET/PT; 2008 World Final Quarterfinals matches on Sat., July 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT; 2008 World Final Semifinals matches on Sat., July 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT; and the 2008 World Final Championship Match on Saturday, August 2 at 10 p.m. ET/PT."
Sounds kinda weird... a show about video games? Gimmie a break! THIS IS A NEW LOW FOR G4! HOW COULD THEY DO THIS TO US! I'M WRITING A ONLINE PETITION TO STOP THIS, WHO IS WITH ME?!?!
Ugh, well... I guess it's okay, as long as it doesn't cut into my COPS and Cheaters marathons.
The full press release is posted after the jump.
-KnuxSonic
Seriously though, this is awesome.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMING SERIES BRINGS PROGRAMMING TO U.S. CABLE TELEVISION FOR FIRST TIME WITH EXCLUSIVE G4 DEAL
Combined CGS distribution will now reach more than 425 million viewers worldwide
LOS ANGELES - June 16, 2008 - Championship Gaming Series™ (CGS), the only worldwide professional video gaming league, today announced an exclusive deal with G4 Media that brings broadcast programming of the league's competitions to United States cable television for the first time.
G4, the only destination on television for video games, web culture, and the latest must-have tech gadgets, will air four 90-minute episodes beginning July 16, including the CGS 2008 North America Finals and the CGS 2008 World Finals.
"During our first season, Championship Gaming Series established itself as the creator of the world's most compelling and engaging television programming dedicated to professional video gaming," said Andy Reif, Chief Executive Officer for CGS. "Although we were a brand-new sports league in 2007, we created an incredibly powerful global television platform with partners including DIRECTV, DIRECTV Latin America, BSKYB, STAR and ESPN-STAR Sports, through which nearly 50 million cumulative viewers tuned in to watch our programming worldwide during our inaugural season. For our second season, we continue to grow our audience and worldwide reach and this new deal with G4 will help fans connect to CGS via US cable television, for the first time."
"G4's young male viewers are passionate about video games," said Neal Tiles, President, G4. "By bringing Championship Gaming Series to the network, we are giving our audience the rare opportunity to watch some of the world's best gamers in action. The competition is certain to appeal to our viewers."
CGS programming will debut July 16 on G4 with the league's 2008 North America playoffs. The network will air four 90-minute episodes in total: the 2008 North America Final on Wed., July 16 at 9 p.m. ET/PT; 2008 World Final Quarterfinals matches on Sat., July 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT; 2008 World Final Semifinals matches on Sat., July 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT; and the 2008 World Final Championship Match on Saturday, August 2 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
This announcement is the latest in a series of moves by CGS to expand its global broadcast and online audience. The G4 deal follows the league's April 22 announcement of a groundbreaking deal with European sports broadcasting giant Eurosport to broadcast CGS matches throughout Europe and the launch of a dedicated YouTube channel for CGS on May 23.
About Championship Gaming Series
Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, the Championship Gaming Series™ (CGS) is the only worldwide professional video gaming league. Launched in 2007, and a joint venture among BSkyB, DIRECTV and STAR, CGS features teams of the world's best gamers from North America, Latin America, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. The league distributes entertainment content to more than 425 million viewers worldwide via DIRECTV in North America and Latin America, BSkyB in the UK, and STAR in Asia and Australia. For more information, please visit thecgs.com.
About Comcast Entertainment Group
Based in Los Angeles, Comcast Entertainment Group operates E! Entertainment Television, the 24-hour network with programming dedicated to the world of entertainment, and E! Online; The Style Network, the destination for women 18-49 with a passion for the best in relatable and inspiring lifestyle programming; and G4 offering the last word on gaming, technology, animation, interactivity, and "Internet culture" for the male 18-34 demo. E! is currently available to nearly 94 million cable and direct broadcast satellite subscribers in the United States. In 2006, E! launched the E! Everywhere initiative underscoring the company's dedication to making E! content available on all new media platforms anytime and anywhere from online to broadband video to wireless to satellite radio to VOD. The Style Network currently counts 59 million cable and satellite subscribers and G4, the #1 podcasted cable network in America, is available in more than 64 million cable and satellite homes nationwide.
Whatever happened to Major League Gaming? They had almost no promotion for it, devoting everything to Heroes 2 and the Post Show... which itself died out quickly thanks to the writer's strike. MLG aired, what, 3 times at most on the network and was gone without a word... and yet, G4 still keeps the forum up. I don't get it.
Didn't they end up airing all the episodes of MLG? There was no real promotion, but I think they aired all of the current episodes. Correct me if I'm wrong.
I just remember it being there, and then gone within a month. I mean, if there were 3 or 4 episodes for the season, then I guess they could have... but I do believe there were more.
Haha...that first part made me laugh histarically...
I'LL BE DAMNDED IF THE CUT INTO MY COPS VIEWING TIME!!!