G4, the gaming TV network that NBCUniversal shut down in 2013, is coming back to cable.
The content studio and network, revived by Comcast Spectacor more than a year ago, will officially return to linear television on Nov. 16, 2021. At launch, G4 will debut linearly on the channel lineups of Comcast’s Xfinity TV, Verizon Fios, Cox Communications, and internet streaming service Philo.
G4 also said it will “collaborate” with Twitch on a multiyear promotional and commercial partnership through the network’s official channel. G4 also plans to continue to create platform-specific digital content for social media and YouTube, as it has been doing in the months since Comcast Spectacor teased its return.
The G4 programming slate at launch will include reboots editions of fan-favorite legacy G4 shows like “Attack of the Show!” and “Xplay.”
“We made a promise to fans that we would build this network with their input and are proud to say that our promise has been kept,” G4 president Russell Arons, who joined the network last month, said in a statement.
G4TV launched in 2002, and NBCU announced the network’s shutdown in November 2013. The brand was revived last year, housed within Comcast Spectacor,the cable and entertainment giant’s sports and esports division whose main businesses are the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center arena. Spectacor Gaming’s portfolio of gaming and esports assets include Overwatch League’s Philadelphia Fusion and T1 Entertainment & Sports.
G4 programming will be produced from its new broadcast studio in Burbank, Calif., outfitted for professional esports gameplay. The studio was designed by global architecture firm Populous, whose other projects have include Yankee Stadium and Red Bull’s headquarters.
Joining G4 for its official launch is a mix of personalities from gaming and entertainment, including returning G4 hosts Kevin Pereira and Adam Sessler; esports personalities Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez (host of NBC’s “The Titan Games”), Ovilee May and Froskurinn; WWE Superstar Xavier Woods (aka Austin Creed); YouTube personalities Kassem G, Jirard “The Completionist” Khalil and Gina Darling; Twitch streamers Fiona Nova and Will Neff; rising livestreamer CodeMiko; and a degenerate rat-puppet named Ratty.
Shows in the G4 grid for the November relaunch include:
- “Attack of the Show!”, a reboot of the geek-culture variety show hosted by Kevin Pereira, one of the original co-hosts;
- “Xplay,” Adam Sessler is back for the revival of the game-reviews show;
- “Boosted,” a weekly esports comedy series covering the trends, news and tournaments;
- “Sasuke”: Reruns of all 167 episodes of the original Japanese competition series “Sasuke,” (adapted as “Ninja Warrior” in the U.S.) licensed from Tokyo Broadcasting System Television. G4 will also air three tournaments that have been previously unavailable in the U.S., Sasuke 35, 36, and 37.
- ESL Gaming: G4 will produce and broadcast several primetime esports programs with ESL Gaming, a first for the esports organization in the U.S. and Canada. G4’s exclusive linear broadcast rights for ESL Pro Tour events will include the IEM Katowice 2022.
- Dungeons & Dragons limited series: G4 continues its partnership with Wizards of the Coast (the official publisher of D&D) with a limited-run series set to premiere on this fall. The series will follow four campaigns with a mix of G4 talent, veteran D&D players and celebrities.
