Comcast to buy TechTV
 

Link here

I hope this doesn't mean that it will be dropped from DirectTV!

PHILADELPHIA, March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA - News, CMCSK - News) announced today that it has signed an agreement with Vulcan Programming Inc. to acquire TechTV, Inc. Upon closing, Comcast will merge TechTV with G4, the Comcast-owned television network devoted to video games and the gamer lifestyle.
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Building on the complementary strengths of two niche programming networks that combine the worlds of technology and entertainment, the acquisition of TechTV would create a network that complements Comcast's growing content portfolio and expands G4's distribution. The combined channel would be available to 44 million cable and satellite customers nationwide.

Charles Hirschhorn, founder and CEO of G4, will be the CEO of the combined network. "This merger is a win for G4; a win for TechTV; and a win for our advertising and affiliate partners," said Hirschhorn. "The result will be one compelling TV channel that showcases the fun and entertaining side of games and technology with the distribution necessary to achieve broad appeal."

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH - News) will have an equity interest in the combined entity and has agreed to make the channel available to its DISH Network customers who subscribe to its mid-level America's Top 120 programming package or greater.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Launched in 2002, G4 is currently seen in 15 million cable homes nationwide and was created for the 145 million gamers in the United States who spend upwards of $11 billion annually on video games. TechTV, previously known as Ziff-Davis TV (ZDTV), was launched in 1998, was purchased by Vulcan Programming Inc. in 2000 and is now available in 43 million homes in the United States.

Shit. There goes my Robot Wars from college cable!

-Lasereth

That would be pretty cool I guess.

TechTV could drop all of their lame ass european/non-techtv made shows, and put G4 shows in their place.

Haha, I didn't know anyone liked that show.

I think I'm one of about 10 in the US. :)

-Lasereth

damn.... i was hoping that viacom was going to win that bid.... it would have been a good addition since MTV networks is all about the niche markets.

This could be a good thing. As said, TechTV can get rid of their crappy shows. Im going to see what happens.

Does the G4 channel have anything worth watching?

TechTV has gone completely to shit over the last year. I quit subscribing to it not long ago.