G4 is making a comeback, let's be excited but critical

For gaming and tech enthusiasts, G4 is common knowledge as a platform and community of people who share the same passion for the stories and fun that comes with video games and tech. As the official relaunch date approaches, fans and viewers of G4 need to understand the history of the network and where it could potentially go in today’s day and age.

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Background

G4 originally launched in 2002. It is a TV Network that showcases video games and gaming culture, as well as movies and digital media. It served as a platform for gamers and gaming enthusiasts alike. The channel began with the purpose of providing content for a male audience. Attack of the Show! and X-Play are two of the popular shows on the network that gave viewers the latest gaming and pop culture news.

Throughout the years of its original run, G4 went through changes in leadership, employees, and services. For example, in 2013, the platform reestablished itself from a gaming-based network to a pop culture channel.

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Discontinuation

In 2014, the network ceased programming. There have been many analyses on the reason for why it ended.

Reached a small audience
Not many advertisers
Not enough content to fill 24 hours
The growth of YouTube and Twitch for gaming content
The focus shifted from gaming to more lifestyle content, which wasn’t very appealing to the original gaming audience

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Revival Announced

In 2020, the G4 social media accounts announced the revival.

We never stopped playing. pic.twitter.com/fKJSvL9uaZ
— G4TV (@G4TV) July 24, 2020

Of course, this news sparked the elation of many former G4 viewers, but also several former G4 hosts retweeted the announcement and expressed their awe, such as Adam Sessler and Olivia Munn.

Well, this is curious turn of events. https://t.co/5QVIbWM6I8
— Adam “Just the Verse, Please" Sessler (@AdamSessler) July 24, 2020

Oh hey now... #G4 #G4TV https://t.co/WsXxEYOdBu pic.twitter.com/lxMN7EuF6k
— o l i v i a (@oliviamunn) July 24, 2020

It will relaunch from Comcast Spectacor, a Comcast’s sports division. I am curious about how the company will work with G4 to optimize its abilities and push the platform forward.

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G4 Moving Forward

While I'm excited to watch one of my favorite shows on the network again, Ninja Warrior, many questions and concerns come to mind when considering G4’s purpose and potential.

My Questions

One of my concerns revolves around the inclusion of women to the network. Do those at G4 have any interest in incorporating more female voices and catering to the female audience? If so, then how do they plan to do that in a way that doesn’t exploit and objectify them?

On the topic of diversity and inclusion, how will G4 be more inclusive in its lineup of employees and content, and attract a more demographically diverse audience? From a company/organizational standpoint, how will G4 approach diversity and inclusion? How will they combat discrimination and create a safe enviroment for employees and hosts, as well as for viewers watching its content?

In terms of the content that G4 will provide, so much has happened in the gaming world since 2014 (new consoles, new platforms, new streaming services, and new social media to name a few), so how will G4 operate differently than it has in the past to integrate these innovations? How will they utilize Youtube, Twitch, and other social media, as well as streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu? What shows and content will G4 provide to fill up the whole 24 hours?

How will G4 operate its content in a way that will engage and maintain viewers? How will they make sure that the factors that caused them to shut down the first time won’t negatively affect them again?

My Hopes and Expectations

The way that I envision G4 working at its best is by catering to a more inclusive audience (gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, cultural background, age, and socio-economic status), as well as a working environment for its employees. The network should not abandon its original premise: games and tech. However, at this point in the gaming and tech industries, there are games for many people, not just men. Many societal issues have also come to light in recent years, with gender inequality and racial injustice, and G4 should not be part of the problem. Those at G4 should create content with the broader audience in mind.

In addition, they should not tolerate harassment of any kind towards its viewers or employees and ensure that employees are compensated properly for their time and work.

I would also like to see the addition of more people of different demographics as hosts and gamers to the lineup of its shows, as well as employees on the organizational side and within its leadership. That way, those at G4 will be able to obtain a variety of perspectives and opinions, potentially making bigger and better content.

I also hope to see the shows on G4 feature and discuss a variety of games, in terms of narratives, storylines, and genres.

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Conclusion

Areas with potential for a big and diverse audience should have a platform where viewers can come and share their interests and passion with a broader community. Having access to a community to interact with offers opportunity for growth and enhances people’s ideas and perceptions, a responsibility that G4 should not take lightly.

Mark your calendars because the set date for G4’s relaunch is November 16, 2021. I am very excited for the return of G4 and I can’t wait to watch the content that it provides across its platforms.

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