Comcast Acquiring TechTV

[Kent Pribbernow]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.com.com/2100-1038_3-5179388.html?tag=nefd_top' target='_blank'>http://news.com.com/2100-1038_3-5179388.html?tag=nefd_top</a><br /><br /></div>Cable giant Comcast is announcing its plan to acquire struggling cable network TechTV. While details of the deal were not disclosed, it's fairly obvious Paul Allen wanted desperately to dump this dying venture. TechTV was a flop, and its programming is a joke. A pale shadow of its former self. The network never turned a profit, and burned cash at an alarming rate. I hope this means someone plans to overhaul the shows and dump the dead weight. First to go should be <b>Unscrewed</b>. :pukeface: Then get rid of The Screensavers, or the cast at least, and start over from scratch.<br /><br />I just hope Comcast doesn't try to turn TechTV into an infomercial format. 8O

[Jason Dunn]

What they need is a Digital Media Thoughts show! That would bring in some serious ratings! :lol:

[Gordo]

The Screen Saves has some redeeming value. I enjoy the "Dark Tip" sometimes.

I also like the fact that they focus on free software solutions to problems.

[igroknful]

I vote for dumping Robot Wars. ScreenSavers isn't bad as long as no one takes their advice as the gospel.

A barfing happy face...come on.

[James Fee]

What does it matter? I stopped watching long ago. It was a good channel (when it was burning money), but now it serves no purpose.

[Tim Williamson]

I used to watch TechTV when it was free...now it costs extra to get it. I did like the Screensavers though, but that Unscrewed show is kinda weak...

[sublime]

I just started watching tech tv a couple of weeks ago. I'm all about Video Games, so I watch X-play all the time. They better not cancel that...

[klinux]

I have only seen commercials for Unscrewed. Why do people hate it?

I agree, I think Jason should host a show! Quick, someone start a online petition!!!

[Kent Pribbernow]

I enjoyed TechTV back in its glory days, particularly when it was ZDTV. Silicon Spin was my favorite show (I still have the coveted mug), very informative and entertaining. Especially the episode where Dvorak ridiculed the first generation iBook, calling it a "fruity looking purse".

Here's funny look back at ZDTV's web site from 1999. :lol:

http://web.archive.org/web/19991010131148/www.zdnet.com/zdtv/

[Ed Hansberry]

I hope this means someone plans to overall the shows and dump the dead weight.
Overall the show? I thought southerners were the only ones that overalled things. ;)

[Kent Pribbernow]

I hope this means someone plans to overall the shows and dump the dead weight.
Overall the show? I thought southerners were the only ones that overalled things. ;)

Doh! Darn typos. You did not see that. It was just your imagination. You are getting sleepy. Very sleepy....

[Gary Sheynkman]

It is upsetting to see such a great concept executed so poorly. Let us hope that Comcast puts its big budget to good use

[backpackerx]

I agree on the Unscrewed comments, that show needs Unplugged. It's terrrible. Overall though, the few times I've seen the network at my parents out of state I pretty much enjoyed it.

[Kent Pribbernow]

TechLive was the best. It was a 9 hour long LIVE tech news show, similar to CNBC. When that went off the air, TechTV began to spiral into decay.

[encece]

TechTV ruled when it waas ZDTV. I still watch it now but cant help getting sick everytime I watch it.

Chris Pirillo ruled!!! And now he's gone.

Fame has gone to Leo's head. What little fame he has. He's the worst.

Everytime I watch XPlay...I feel like I'm watching those uncomfortable scripted bad jokes that actors and musicians say before presenting awards at the oscars or grammys.

All of the other shows dont belong on the channel. I liked MTV when it actually played music videos and I liked TechTV when their main focus was computers.

When I watch the screensavers, I feel like I'm watching a bunch of friends on TV...who dont belong on TV.

A couple of the girls on the channel are okay on the eyes, Sara Lane, Morgan Webb and the chick from unscrewed. But whats the facination with that CAT? Eeesh! I'll never understand. Morgan was better with the white hair when she was on the screensavers.

The whole thing has become one bad programming decision after another and it's falling apart.

I miss the down-home little network feeling in the old ZDTV days where it seemed like a bunch of geeks who wanted to share their knowledge. Now it's an overly scripted, poor to no content wreck.

Good Points:
Erika Hill...hottie (went to CNN)
Solidad O'brien (went to NBC)
The cute little blond on FreshGear...though shes a bad presenter.

MORE IMPORTANTLY:
I use Comcast cable & internet. I thought something was up as there seems to have been a TechTV tie-in on their front portal page in the main flash news scroller at comcast.net for the past couple of months.

Oh my I typed alot!!! Whoops! Sorry!

[backpackerx]

I agree, Leo Laporte is full of himself. Ever notice how he cuts EVERYBODY off and always answers his own questions?

Kevin Rose has a little side project at www.thebroken.org that is a little juvenile but pretty entertaining.

[Doug Johnson]

Personally I like The Screen Savers. They still do have some good information on there. I wonder if Leo still belongs on there, though. He is so wrapped up in so many things it seems like he has too little time to actually spend time with technology so he understands it. Patrick, though a little dull on camera, seems to know his stuff. Kevin is good, but inexperienced in broadcasting. And we can't forget the wonderful Sarah Lane. Mmmm...

The current hosts are far better than Kate whats-her-face that was on it back in its ZDTV days. I don't recall ever hearing one accurate piece of information come out of her mouth.

Call for Help is a cool show for what it is. Not my kind of thing, but for those new to computers it's pretty well done. This is probably where Leo belongs -- explaining basics. He actually does that pretty well.

And if you're into gaming X-Play isn't bad.

Fresh Gear can be OK sometimes.

But everything else on the channel should be scrapped. No more Unscrewed (or perhaps it is just "Screwed" now?) No more late night porn. No more annoying British show rejects.

What I fear will happen with someone like Comcast at the helm is that all of the good technoligical information will disappear and the whole network will be dumbed down to make it appeal to a wider audience. Big mistake if you ask me. But if I were a gambling man, that's where my wager would go.

[pocketdoc]

I hope I am not in the minority because Tech TV is one of my favorite channels. Screensavers is a god show. Sarah looks cute as well.

I agree that Leo is busier these days, but he is knowledgable (sp?). Patrick gets on my nerves, however.

Didn't know it was struggling.

Maybe Jason can help!

[encece]

Little side note:
did you know that Jesica Corbin is the grand-daughter of Pat Boone???? :D

[dean_shan]

Personaly I like the TechTV Channel. I'm having a hard time seeing why some people hate it so much.

[encece]

Probably becasue it's a lesser washed out version of what it once was. Like I said, I still watch it. And there is still some good stuff on there. It's just few and far between these days.

[Steven Hughes]

Yeah, the quality of TechTV has gone down the tubes,which may be a result of running on a shoestring budget and some bad management decisions on what to do with the shows.

The TechLive feature of Technews was good when the DotCom Boom had news stories every 5 minutes...the content isn't there today if you have been a longtime viewer shows and show hosts have been dropping like flies... Still their only show worth watching is TSS...

The linup needs some restructuring and fresh content.

Cool Show Ideas...

Digital Focus - a show dedicated to digital audio, video, and imaging covering the latest technology and software with demos, tips and hints.
Bert Monroy (http://www.bertmonroy.com/). Photoshop wizard would make a great segment presenter.

Guest Geek - a show covering tips and hints by 'Geeks' geeks can submit questions, answers, show ideas on a web page and the segment producers can pick show content. The guest Geek can then co-host either live via phone or webcam or even via a broadcasted webcast. A great host would be Chris Pirillo.

Mobile Life - a show dedicated to portable electronic devices this can cover anything from laptops, tablets, PDAs, Cell phones. Show should have an application,tip, or featured product in each category on each show...a great way to let the public know what is going on this area so consumers are more aware.

Just some quick ideas...that could be even be added as segments on their current shows

New TechTV lineup starts on Monday...

Looks like Leo will be leaving the HOST position on TSS, but will be on the show as a segment presenter.

Call For Help will move into the 6PM EST slot right before TSS.

Screen savers had a cool segment last night on encoding video to put on your ReplayTV for viewing on your TV they have in the past shown how to remove and archive video off of your Replay as well..

[Suhit Gupta]

This is interesting that there is this long discussion about TechTV and I have actually never seen the channel. In my undergrad years we had no cable in the dorms and after that (for the last 3-4 years) I have had Time Warner Cable and I don't seem to have this channel. Did I miss much?

Suhit

[backpackerx]

I have Adelphia Cable and don't have it either. It's only available with Direct TV up here. I see it occaisionally at my parents house.

I don't think most people HATE the channel. Most do Hate Unscrewed but that's just one program. I personally really wish I had the channel because although it could be so much more, I really like it. My problem is minor with Leo who I admit is pretty good at explaining things but I really don't like Unscrewed.

[igroknful]

I've been in the audience for Screensavers 3 times and I've talked at length with Leo and Patrick afterwards. They are the same with the cameras on or off. I went before they changed the set when it was with Megan and Morgan. I had a lot more respect for them after seeing the show live and talking to them afterwards. I still watch the show every day. Screensavers, Call for Help, Techlive and Fresh Gear are ok but the rest of the programming is junk.

[lonesniper]

TechTV may not be the best network or peoples favourite but I don't think we should bash it too hard. It is (as far as I know) the only computer/technology related channel out there, and I enjoy watching some geeky computer programs once and a while. It makes a nice change from Friends repeats and forensic team drama's.

I have never seen TSS live, I missed them cause of work when they visited Cherry Hill, NJ back in 2001, but I would really have liked to. I think Leo is a bit too big for his boots now, Kevin does need more TV exprience and I also have a lot of respect for Patrick. You can see it in his body language when he talks about computers just how interested he is in it. Just like I am when I talk with friends. It is nice to see that in someone else on TV. You don't get it on NBC, CBS or CNN.
So I would really like Comcast to keep it going, I would hate TSS to disappear and leave us with nothing.

I do like Kevins personal site and project www.thebroken.org and would recommend that people take the time to download the 180mb-ish homemade shows. Takes a lot of effort and skill to do that.

If the Thoughts Media triad of sites created an online show I think it would be extremely popular and would make a GREAT subcriber service.

[bryus]

I have had ZDTV/TechTV on and off as my cable/satellite systems and packages have changed over the last few years. I really loved ZDTV, it had a great feel and was infomative and entertaining. I loved the staff. Then I lost it for a while because I switched packages. When I got it back, the casts and shows had changed some and it was TechTV.

Then I lost it again last fall when I changed packages again and when I got it back a few weeks back it was different again. The cast has changed again, the shows have changed more and it isn't nearly as good as it was before. What happened to Sumi Das, Megan, Kate, the woman who did Internet Tonight and Tech Live, etc. Who are these loosers on Fresh Gear?

Who's decision was it to make it a TECH/SEX network, not just a TECH network? I know geeks like tech but please. I watch for the tech, not the sex. Martin Sargent was always a little off center on the Screen Savers, but Unscrewed is HORRIBLE AND WRONG!!! It isn't funny, just offensive and wierd.

Given my experiences with Comcast, I can only expect things to get worse after the merger.

[dean_shan]

PHILADELPHIA, PA (May 10, 2004) - Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK) today announced that it has completed the purchase of TechTV from Vulcan Programming, Inc. and, as planned, will merge it with G4, the Comcast-owned television network devoted to video games and the gamer lifestyle. EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) will have an equity interest in the combined entity. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Beginning May 28, the two channels will merge into one network called G4techTV and will be available in approximately 44 million cable and satellite homes nationwide. The merged channel will be headquartered in Los Angeles.

You can find more information on it at G4TechTV (http://www.g4techtv.com). I think that this is cool because I do not get G4TV and with the merge I will be able to watch the G4 shows.