TV Execs Go Gaga Over Gaming

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."

Comments

TV shows based on video games?

[Violet Null]

Why, that's a brilliant idea! If only they'd done that for...uh, Pac-Man. And Mario. And Sonic the Hedgehog. Oh, and that old Nintendo Power show. And probably a few dozen more I'm forgetting.

What I, as a gamer, want to see is the Roger and Ebert (or, I guess, Ebert and Roeper now) version of game reviews.

When I first got cable, I was really excited over G4. Then I watched some. I don't care about "The Top 10 Best Dressed Videogame Characters". I would've been interested in their head-to-head games if they'd shown more of the game, tactics, strategies, etc, and less of the two hosts. As it was, I never went back to G4.

Re:TV shows based on video games?

[kherr]

What I, as a gamer, want to see is the Roger and Ebert (or, I guess, Ebert and Roeper now) version of game reviews.

TechTV's X-Play is a pretty good version of that. The hosts actually play the games and are willing to say when games suck.

Gamers are not passive

[Picass0]

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.

good idea, but there's only one way to succeed:

[pezpunk]

put it in the hands of some people who actually take the subject matter seriously. Spike's Video Game Awards was like a 2-hour insult to anyone who watched it. gamers don't WANT cheerleaders and stupidity. well i mean, sure we do, as much as anyone, but if we're told you're about to show us video game content, don't just show us boobs and bad jokes instead.