G4techTV

Infobox Network
network_name = G4techTV
network_
country = United States
network_type = Defunct Cable network
owner = G4 Media
launch_date = May 28, 2004
closure_date = February 15, 2005
slogan = "Stay Connected"

G4techTV (May 28, 2004 – February 15, 2005) was a cable and satellite channel resulting from a merger between Comcast-owned G4 and TechTV. The headquarters is based in Los Angeles. The name changed back to G4 on February 15, 2005 in the United States.

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, allowing Comcast to merge their G4 station with the newly acquired TechTV, resulting in G4techTV. G4techTV officially launched in the United States 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 "The Electric Playground". The merger caused one of TechTV's most prominent personalities, Leo Laporte, to leave the channel because of a contract dispute. Laporte had been the host of "Call for Help", a call-in help show, which was cut after the merger. A new "Call for Help" series hosted by Leo Laporte began airing on G4techTV Canada, the Canadian affiliate of G4techTV, on August 16, 2004; the series ended on February 26, 2007. The Lab with Leo Laporte replaced "Call for Help" in April 2007. The Canadian produced version of the show was briefly aired in the U.S., but this ended on January 3, 2006, though individual episodes could have been purchased through Google Video in the US.

On November 11, 2004, G4techTV announced that many of its employees, including Alex Albrecht, Dan Huard, and Yoshi DeHerrera, were terminated. This came as a shock to many, and outrage and anger were expressed on the G4techTV forums. G4techTV also announced the cancellation of its popular late night variety show, "Unscrewed with Martin Sargent". The show's host and supporting staff were terminated.

On February 15, 2005, less than a year after the merger, TechTV was officially dropped from the network's name. The channel is once again called G4, with its current slogan: "TV That's Plugged In".

G4techTV Canada

G4techTV Canada is co-owned by G4 Media and Rogers Media. Because of the co-ownership and licensing with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) as a technology-related channel, the rename of February 15, 2005 has not yet taken effect in Canada.

=Shows= The shows listed below reflect the schedule of G4techTV until February 15, 2005 when the network's name was reverted to G4. [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20040519141108/www.g4techtv.com/faq.html G4 and TechTV Merger FAQ] ]
* "Anime Unleashed"
* "Arena"
* "Body Hits"
* "Call for Help"
* "Cheat!"
* "Cinematech"
* "The Electric Playground"
* "Eye Drops"
* "Filter"
* "Fresh Gear"
* "Future Fighting Machines"
* "G4 Sports"
* "G4tv.com"
* "Icons"
* "Invent This!"
* "Judgment Day"
* "Nerd Nation"
* "Players"
* "Robot Wars"
* "Secret, Strange & True"
* "Sweat"
* "The Screen Savers"
* "Thunderbirds"
* "Unscrewed with Martin Sargent"
* "X-Play"

Notes

* [http://web.archive.org/web/20040525101418/38.119.81.11/html/about/press/showrelease.asp?pressrelease_key=47 G4tv.com - Press Releases - Comcast Completes acquisition of TechTV] via the Internet Archive