G4techTV Canada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| G4techTV | |
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| Type | Digital cable specialty channel |
|---|---|
| Country |  Canada |
| Availability | National |
| Owner | Rogers (66.67% & managing partner) G4 Media (33.33%) |
| Launch date | September 7, 2001 |
| Past names | TechTV Canada |
| Website | www.g4techtv.ca |
G4techTV Canada is a Canadian category 1 digital cable specialty channel co-owned by Rogers Media and G4 Media [1]. Its programming is devoted to the technology genre including computers, internet, video games and more.
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[edit] History
Licensed as TechTV Canada by the CRTC on November 24, 2000; it launched under the same name on September 7, 2001 as a joint venture between Rogers Media (33.34%), Shaw Communications (33.33%) and TechTV (33.33%). On May 28, 2004, it was renamed G4techTV as a result of a merge between American cable services TechTV and G4 to become a service under the same name. On February 15, 2005, less than a year after the merger, American service G4techTV was renamed back to G4. Thus far it is unknown why G4techTV Canada did not change its name to G4 when its American counterpart and minority owner did. In June of 2006, Shaw Communications opted to sell its interest in the channel to Rogers Media.
[edit] Distribution
As a category 1 television service, it is mandatory for all digital cable and direct broadcast satellite providers in Canada to carry the channel that have the capacity to do so.
G4techTV Canada is also broadcasted internationally in the Barbados market. The government-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation in Barbados switched from providing the American-based feed, in favour of the Canadian-based feed for its cable television network known as Multi-Choice TV.
[edit] Programming
Although G4techTV Canada airs a large amount of G4 shows such as Attack of the Show!, Cinematech, X-Play and more; its schedule largely differs from its American counterpart due to the fact that G4 has been heading into a male orientated programming direction with less of an emphasis on gaming and technology and more on male general interests.
G4techTV Canada was the final home to Call for Help with Leo Laporte. The taping location was moved to the Rogers Media studios in Toronto, Canada after the show was cancelled in the United States as a result of the merger. In Early 2007, Call for Help Production was outsourced to Greedy Productions in Vancouver, Canada and the show was renamed The Lab with Leo Laporte.
Until 2006, the station was not allowed to by its license to broadcast dramatic programming. This changed in September 2006, and G4techTV can now send a limited amount of drama, such as anime.
[edit] Noted Programs
- Anime Current (similar to Anime Unleashed)
- Attack of the Show! (replaced The Screen Savers)
- Beat the Geeks
- Brainiac
- Call for Help (2004 - 2007)
- Cheat!
- Cinematech
- The Electric Playground
- Gadgets and Gizmos (2005 - 2006).
- Get Connected
- Icons
- Medical Intelligence
- More Gadgets
- Reviews on the Run
- Tech Books
- The Lab with Leo Laporte (Premieres in April 2007)
- The Block
- Torrent
- X-Play
[edit] Logos
 Logo as TechTV |
 Original logo as G4techTV |
 Current logo |
