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TV Execs Go Gaga Over Gaming

Posted by simoniker on from the unfortunate-truth dept.

Thanks to Wired News for their article exploring the influx of videogame-related programming on cable TV networks. The writer suggests the channels are "focusing on original programming that revolves around video games in an effort to regain the loyalty of an audience segment coveted by advertisers", and points to expansion by Spike TV, whose awards show was not well-received by gamers, but who've "licensed television programming rights to a game that ships next Christmas... [and are planning] to base a half-hour adventure show [on it]." It's also noted that "If a [still rumored] purchase is finalized, Comcast is expected to combine San Francisco-based TechTV... with its Los Angeles-based video game channel, G4", potentially giving videogame programming a larger presence. Finally, UPN has announced Game Over, a CG animated show which "takes place within a video game universe in which race car drivers and archeologists come home after a long day's work and deal with life in the suburbs and raising kids."

3 of 52 comments (clear)

  1. Gamers are not passive by Picass0 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Gamers don't like watching cut scenes, much less two hour bullshit that panders down to the "dude..." mentality.

    You want to reach gamers? Use games.

    If Spike does a TV show it's going to take a lot more T&A to get anyone to care.

  2. Doesn't sound like a bad premise... by hiei · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Finally, UPN has announced Game Over, a CG animated show which "takes place within a video game universe in which race car drivers and archeologists come home after a long day's work and deal with life in the suburbs and raising kids."

    Doesn't sound like a bad premise, but probably won't be too funny. I'd rather see it shown up on CN's Adult Swim done by the guys that work on Space Ghost: C2C, Sealab, Aqua Teen, or Home Movies.

    --
    Upgrade your grey matter, cause one day it may matter
  3. Learning from Japan by fluor2 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Well. I've seen various game-related programs, and they all have the samme issue; they only test _new_ games, and are not focused on how many gamers tend to stick to pretty old games, and try improving in those. This is of course not that easy for game-tv, since they won't get any commercials for old games...

    I think the numbers speak for themselves:
    TOP NETWORK GAMES:
    Half-Life (probably 99,9% Counter-Strike) Battlefield 1942 Jedi Knight 2 Unreal Tournament 2003 Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Diablo II etc.. I guess StarCraft is pretty high too..

    In Korea they've learned that they have to focus on this.

    "How big is Starcraft in Korea? Many people have said how big it is in Korea, but could you give us a more in depth description?

    -Being a professional gamer is nowadays one of the most popular and respected carrer in high-school (among boys... of course:).
    -The finals of the Ongamenet tournaments are broadcasted on Cable TV and they break viewership records, almost reaching the records of national TV stations.
    -A few professional gamers are recognized in the streets by normal people. "

    (from this article.)