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Gaming TV channels set for shake up.
Richardcoulter
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http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?p=73186777#post73186777
I've linked to this thread from broadcasting as I thought that gamers might be interested in the news about the possible closure of one gaming channel and the opening of another
I've linked to this thread from broadcasting as I thought that gamers might be interested in the news about the possible closure of one gaming channel and the opening of another
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I am informed that Ginx got a good deal in order to broadcast on VM. Apparently, they have been asking people to lobby Sky to get them on their platform. Not sure what good that will do with the requirements for Sky to treat inclusion on the EPG in a "Fair, reasonable and non discriminatory" manner.
Ginx HD is also said to have been put on the back burner for now.
I suspect the biggest problem with getting Ginx on Sky is the lack of available SD channel slots, and when they do come up they command a hefty price tag. All the lobbying in the world isn't going is change that.
A new channel taking over 5+24 (which surely was only ever intended as a placeholder and not a serious channel) would be able to get on Sky, Virgin, Freeview and Freesat with no trouble at all.
I think if you are going to have a gaming show or channel you have to do something to the format to make it relevent to none gamers. I remember watching games master on Ch4 in the 90s. My Mum used to enjoy that and we would watch as a family.
There are too many videos on youtube., too many reviews and too many lets play videos.
I think the thing with that is it's up to the channel itself to generate its own news through interviews, analysis etc- the UK is probably the worst (English-speaking) country in the world to do that in, unfortunately.
TBH I watch so little live TV nowadays, only stuff like sport. The rest I watch on catchup services.
I disagree. All your points are valid for gaming magazines but there's no reason why all the news broadcasted counldnt be up to date like the normal news.
No more trawling various entertainment websites looking for the latest news, or going through all the shit videos on YouTube until you find the one you want.
It could work, but like you said, you need great presenters. Like any tv programme they have to be charismatic and know what they're talking about as opposed to just reading from the teleprompter.
MarkiPlier AngryJoe and just recently TotalBiscuit are some of my faves.
I don't think that will happen until a major TV channel does a weekly gaming show. I would like to see more Gameswipe or something similar.
Also SD is pointless for showing games this gen, it needs to be HD or nothing.
The presenters themselves are keen gamers which is a huge plus.
Very true, I never thought of that.
These rumours were the first time I had ever heard of Spike TV. Where is it currently broadcast and what does it show?
I had assumed that it was a gaming channel, but in the linked to thread at the top, it has been said that it is a male skewed channel like ITV4.
The rumoured new channel may be called Game Trailer TV.
I am informed that the branding will be taken from an existing show of the same name, so I assume that's still on air
Martin is referring tothat there used to be a games programme on Challenge. There still is, incidentally, at Too Early To Succeed on a Sunday morning- although it's from the Ginx stable, IIRC.
It's the third (I think) show they've had, it tends to drop off the face of the channel between rebrands.
Game Trailers TV is still on (as in, it's not been cancelled- I'm not sure a series is running right now) on Spike in the US.
Spike TV? That is a channel over in the states. I'm not too sure what they show apart from TNA Wrestling, VGX/Spike Video Game Awards and live E3 coverage/press conferences with GameTrailers. I believe Spike TV's audience consist of teen/adult males, so a lot of shows aimed at the male audience.
If it is GameTrailers TV, that'd be great, hopefully they'll show the press conferences and VGX like they do on Spike TV and in HD. I don't visit the GameTrailers website that often apart from when it's E3, VGX or some other gaming event occuring but apparently there are some pretty decent/funny gaming shows on there.
The major problem is that gaming is no longer new. In 1992 when Games Master started consoles were pretty mainstream but reasonably new, the Amiga was a firm favourite and although we had seen the likes of consoles before they were not breaking boundries like they were on mega drive and SNES. The Playstation came out in 1994 and we still play games the same as we did in 1994. Yes the graphics are better but the gameplay is the same and I think it is lack of innovation that makes games shows unpopular nowadays.
Also I think there is an age demographic to consider. In the early 90s when gaming shows were more popular most gamers were kids. Theres a reason why the average age of a gamer is early thirties because they started playing when they were kids and have carried on. And lets not forget how expensive owning a console was back then. at the launch of Mega Drive the cost was £190 which is £400 in todays money. Not many families could justify the cost. It's different now as many families also have a parent who games so the cost is shared but back then you were buying for your children. SO watching others play or seeing reviews was having a glimpse into a world that might not be possible. At least if you didnt own a console you could chat to your mates about them the next day at school.
It would be nice to see games be more visible on TV. I think the industry suffers in a way since a lot of people don't hear about video games outside of when a major game like Grand Theft Auto V is released and gets a very brief mention on news channels.
why not show THEM then?
hundreds of hours of content, constantly updated and added too
Yeah I have fond memories of Games Master, was a great show, should never have been cancelled.
How many websites do Eurogamer/Gamer Network have? If we can get an channel that includes all that content, it could work, but it has to be done very well.
Ive just sat through that
I've only seen it once. That was enough. Woeful.