It looks like the recession has hit TV networks that cater to techies.
X-play is reducing the production schedule of its two technology shows starting next week.
I wonder if only catering to a certain type of viewer has hurt ratings.
This reverses the thought they had to expanded X-play to an hour (see second article)
Mike from Morgantown
http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/g4-cuts-xplay-staff-as-show-is-scaled-back/?biz=1
G4 Cuts X-Play Staff as Show is Scaled Back
Both X-Play and AOTS are being reduced, G4 has confirmed today. The network said that savings from this move, however, will go towards the creation of more original programming this year.
by James Brightman on Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Cable network G4 is curtailing the production schedules for both X-Play and Attack of the Show (AOTS). Word broke on Kotaku that as many as half of the staff at X-Play would be sent home.
X-Play, hosted by Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb, was just recently bumped up to an hour in length, and before that the show had been expanded to five days a week in January 2008. In a statement, G4 said it remains dedicated to both X-Play and AOTS. The network confirmed staff cuts but would not specify the number.
"G4 is returning AOTS and X-Play to their former production schedules and, starting March 2nd, AOTS will air 4 originals per week and X-Play 3 originals per week. While the company does not comment on personnel matters, we can confirm that producing fewer episodes has resulted in a decrease in staff. Savings resulting from this move will go directly towards producing more original programming in 2009. This is not a budget cut. G4 remains dedicated to these core franchises," a spokesperson for G4 commented.
G4's X-Play, Attack of the Show cut back
G4 is the latest layoff victims. A rep for the network has confirmed that it's cutting back its two daily programs, "X-Play" and "Attack of the Show" to three and four original episodes per week, respectively, starting March 2nd (two weeks from yesterday). While they declined to specify the number of layoffs, sources have indicated that a number of staffers on those two programs have gotten the axe, though the figures for the total network are in the single digit percentage-wise.
"X-Play" is G4's daily news show about videogames, while "Attack of the Show" focuses more on general tech and pop culture as it relates to the network's core demo of young guys.
G4 has apparently decided it wants to re-arrange spending and invest more in other series beyond its two big daily shows. A network rep insisted that today's moves are not part of an overall budget cut, but a decision to shift spending away from the two big daily shows and toward other series. "Savings resulting from this move will go directly towards producing more original programming in 2009," she stated.
It's perhaps no surprise G4 wants to make changes, though, since nearly three years of ratings growth came to a halt in the second of of 2008 and the network has, like many of its counterparts, had trouble monetizing its substantial on-demand and online video views. Combine that with a recession that's causing worries about advertising spending and G4 had to be rethinking its strategy a bit.
It wasn't long ago, in fact, that there was talk of expanding "X-Play" to an hour daily. Then ratings and economic concerns caused G4 to stick with half an hour. And now it's cut back to three half hours per week. That's a blow for the show and for fans of videogame journalism in general.
Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb will continue to host X-Play in its reduced format.
 I am Mario.I like to jump around, and would lead a fairly serene and aimless existence if it weren't for my friends always getting into trouble. I love to help out, even when it puts me at risk. I seem to make friends with people who just can't stay out of trouble. Wii Friend Code: 1624 6601 1126 1492 NNID: Mike_INTV |
Pixel Art can be fun.
