G4 - Video Game Television - Shifts Into Overdrive in '05 With Two New Series 'Formula D' and 'Girls Gone Wired'
Featuring a New Slate of Programming, Video Game Network
Changes Name, Look and Feel
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11 -- G4, the only 24/7 television network
dedicated to video games, screeches into 2005 with announcements of a new
name, look and feel as well as two new series, "Formula D" and "Girls Gone
Wired." Charles Hirschhorn, Founder and CEO of the network, announced the
channel's official name as G4 -- video game television -- earlier today at the
Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour. The name change and new
network look and feel will take effect on February 15, 2005.
"We're heading into 2005 with a well-defined and focused brand," commented
Hirschhorn. "Video games offer us a distinctive voice that resonates with our
target audience and G4 delivers the highest concentration of males 12-34 of
any other television network." Hirschhorn also announced plans for a
multi-million dollar marketing and advertising campaign to launch the G4
brand.
"Formula D," the first-ever series to showcase the world of drift racing,
will burn up the screen in April on G4. This burgeoning sport began several
years ago as an underground street scene in Japan. Featured on numerous hit
video games, Drifting has now reached the U.S. and is on its way to becoming a
cultural phenomenon.
"Not only will G4 cover the Formula Drift races, but we will also cover
the Drifting culture, games, modding and music that surround the drift racing
world," commented Peter Green, Senior Vice President of Programming and
Production for G4, who introduced the series at TCA. "G4 will help launch
Drifting into the mainstream as the exclusive network broadcaster of Formula
Drift."
Two Drifting experts were among G4's "Formula D" TCA panel. Ryan Sage,
the 24-year-old creator of Formula Drift, the only established Drifting
championship series in the U.S., and Ken Gushi, a rising 18-year-old star on
the Drifting scene and one of the youngest drivers on the Formula Drift
circuit, offered their unique perspectives on the sport.
G4 promises superior race day coverage including profiles and interviews
with the sport's hottest stars, expert race commentary and analysis, trackside
reporting, drifting tips and tricks from the pros. "Formula D" will also give
viewers the inside line on the latest in drifting culture from the coolest
rides on the car show circuit to the hottest import car babes.
The network also presented TCA critics with "Girls Gone Wired," a digital
beauty pageant featuring the hottest 2D and 3D women on the planet, which is
set to premiere in May. Comedian, actor and avid gamer Hal Sparks, who
currently stars on Showtime's hit series "Queer as Folk," is slated to host.
Sparks, along with a panel of celebrity and industry commentators, will guide
viewers in G4's quest to crown the hottest video game vixen. Finalists will
be announced online and G4 viewers will vote for the pageant's top beauties.
"Our audience interacts with digital girls as much as real girls and we're
tapping into that fantasy," commented Laura Civiello, Vice President of
Acquisitions and Development for G4. "'Girls Gone Wired' is the first pageant
of its kind on television with contestants competing for titles like "Hottest
Newcomer," "Sexiest Voice" and "Most Likely to Kick Enemy Ass."
"X-Play's" Adam Sessler and "Judgment Day's" Victor Lucas, two of G4's
leading video game experts, were among the "Girls Gone Wired" TCA panelists
and provided critics with insight on which video game hotties should make the
cut. In addition, sexy video game warrior Jade took a break from doing battle
in Mortal Kombat: Deception to make a special virtual appearance.
About G4:
G4 is the only 24/7 television network dedicated to videogames. It
features all original programming that covers every aspect of the video game
culture -- games, gear, gadgets and girls -- with live shows, insider
information and breaking news. The network is available in 50 million cable
and satellite homes nationwide. Headquartered in Los Angeles, G4 is owned by
Comcast Corporation. To learn more, log onto http://www.g4tv.com.
SOURCE G4 Media
Web Site: http://www.g4tv.com
|