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Comcast Fires TechTV Staff
Bocaj writes "Looks like it's curtains for TechTV staff. A Leo Laporte article says that Comcast has let the entire staff go. 'Per the WARN Act (governing plant closings) all the employees of TechTV have been given 60 days notice. The San Francisco operation will be shuttered by July. 100 of the existing jobs will be posted for those willing to relocate to LA.' No word on what will happen to all the shows or the channel."
The Screen Savers was one of the few informational shows that didn't cater to the lowest common denominator or sponsors. The hosts seemed honest with their opinions and they gave good tips. They also had good coverage of OSX and Linux, as well as interviews with people from the FCC and RIAA and other organizations of interest to slashdotters.
Direct from the G4 press release, it looks like the only TechTV originals surviving are Anime Unleashed, X-Play, The Screen Savers, Fresh Gear, and Robot Wars. It doesn't say specifically if those are the only TechTV shows to continue or if any of the old staff will keep their position.
As long as Adam Sessler doesn't come back I won't complain too much.
From the FAQ:
Q: How does the merger expand G4's subscriber growth?
A: The merged network will be available to 44 million cable and satellite customers, representing every major MSO and satellite provider (28 million cable and 16 million satellite). G4, launched in April, 2002, is currently available in 15 million homes in 47 of the nation's top 50 television markets.
Q: What MSO's and satellite companies will carry the combined network?
A: Comcast; Time Warner; Mediacom; Insight; Cablevision; Charter; Adelphia; Cox; Cable One; Dish; and DirecTV.
Q: Who will be the network's chief executive?
A: Charles Hirschhorn, currently founder and CEO of G4, will oversee the merged network as CEO.
Q: Will the two services run independently of each other or be immediately combined?
A: The two channels will merge into one network. In the meantime, both G4 and TechTV will continue to air as independent channels, pending customary regulatory approvals underway.
Q: Where will the network be headquartered?
A: The merged network will be headquartered in Los Angeles.
Programming:
Q: What will a typical programming day look like?
A: The merged network will be the nation's premier 24/7 television network all about video games, technology and the gamer lifestyle. The G4 programming day will showcase many existing G4 and TechTV series such as G4's ICONS; PULSE; JUDGMENT DAY; PLAYERS, and CHEAT! as well as TechTV's ANIME UNLEASHED; X-PLAY; SCREEN SAVERS; FRESH GEAR; and ROBOT WARS. G4 will also premiere new original programming which will be announced at a later date.
Q: How many hours of original programming will the merged network produce?
A: After the networks merge, G4 will air more than 20 series and 800 episodes per year. New programs continue to be in development.
It's better to vote for what you want and not get it than to vote for what you don't want and get it.
- E. Debs
Well at least we got to see Cat's....
a tC ropped.jpg
http://stuff.ubersite.com/10596966192071809/1/C
http://hektik.org/various/cat/index.html
:-)
Might have to go here: http://hektik.org/various/#pictures and then click on Cat's link near the top.
That's Los Angeles, but they do stream (Realplayer, naturally.)
News.com Article
CNET story is here: TechTV lays off San Francisco staff
Everybody got notices today that says at face value that 60 days from now their jobs won't exist. However, that doesn't promise that everybody's a goner...
See, the WARN act requires that when a downsizing of this scale is going to happen, the employer must give 60 days notice to everybody they're letting go. However, imagine the moral at an office where 2/3 of the people get the notice and the other 1/3 don't... fighting is sure to ensue during the two months before the cutback.
So, in reality... today's news doesn't really tell us what Comcast is planning. They very well could keep the shows alive, but send the jobs who don't affect the content (PR people, master control techs, salespeople, etc.) to LA.
The real answer will come exactly 60 days from now...
Not that I think they'll listen, but some folks went to the trouble of setting these up (they are posted on Leo's board). Hey it worked for Star Trek and Family Guy right? =)
Petition 1
Petition 2
Petition 3
Also a direct link to the Comcast complaint bucket...
Comcast Feedback
Anime owns what now?
Oh, let's see. Not counting manga, about 400 square feet of shelf space at Suncoast. Two aisles at Best Buy. One cable network. Most of another. Couple million web sites. $4.3 billion growing market. About 300 million fans worldwide. An Academy Award.
That's for openers...
Business isn't willing to pay for products, innovation and careers, so we get brands, mortgage commercials and layoffs.
Checkout an anime series called "Cowboy Bebop".
Great story, lots of action...
Yes Francis, the world has gone crazy.
Actually, G4 is keeping a fair amount of the TechTV content. They say that "The G4 programming day will showcase many existing G4 and TechTV series such as G4's ICONS; PULSE; JUDGMENT DAY; PLAYERS, and CHEAT! as well as TechTV's ANIME UNLEASHED; X-PLAY; SCREEN SAVERS; FRESH GEAR; and ROBOT WARS. G4 will also premiere new original programming which will be announced at a later date." Notable by it's omission is Call For Help. (Leo isn't going to move to LA). An interesting side note is the fact that Chris Pirillo is down in LA already. It is conceivable that G4 is considering him for the "new original programming" in a show similar to Call For Help. Personally, I think this would be a good move for G4. In fact, there is a petition to get Chris back on TV. Use the slashdot effect for a valid reason - slashsign the petition.