One Year Ago, Today. The Old GSN Has Undergoing Changes

[musicradio77]

It was one year ago, today. The original Game Show Network has going a number of changes being made to revamped its schedule. Here is an article taken from the tvgameshows.net archives from December 15th, 2003:

REPORT: GSN TO BE GSN NO MORE

If Tom Umstead's report in Multichannel News is correct, Game Show Network will be Game Show Network no more next year.

TVgameshows.net had been clued in for a major announcement from GSN three weeks ago. Umstead's report Monday confirms the rumblings throughout the industry. In a major repositioning which is certain to create major disappointment in its core audience, GSN will junk it's nine-year-old name and six-year-old logo and begin to de-emphasize its classic programming, including both repeats and traditional studio game shows.

The network is expected to retain "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and "Match Game", its most successful shows, but even "Lingo" is expected to be on the bubble after the current run of 65 original shows.

A new lineup, effective in March, is expected to be announced this wek. The revamped network will focus more on casino games, interactive gaming and reality-based programming. Included a spin-off interactive digital channel next year.

GSN president Rich Cronin's only quote to Umstead: "This is a major push for us." Cronin is expected to detail more at next month's Television Critics Association confab in Hollywood. TVgameshows.net has requested a phone hookup with Cronin this week.

Senior programming vice president Bob Boden departed last week which was a major show drop in the transition.

Among possible games mentioned in other media: All-Games Channel (AGN), The Games Channel and The Interactive Channel. Cronin has confirmed none of those names.

TVgameshows.net will develop a series of stories on what has led to the decision, which has the blessing of GSN's ownership partners. Sony Pictures Television and Liberty Digital Media.

That article was from December 15th, 2003.

[bossradio93]

That was the scare of the year! I visit the GSN Forums all the time and everybody freaked out as to what Game Show Network would become! I mean, all this fuss over nothing? Loyal game show fans couldn't celebrate the holidays just because their favorite network is changing its name?

What a difference a year makes. Thanks for the tribute.

[musicradio77]

Originally posted by bossradio93
That was the scare of the year! I visit the GSN Forums all the time and everybody freaked out as to what Game Show Network would become! I mean, all this fuss over nothing? Loyal game show fans couldn't celebrate the holidays just because their favorite network is changing its name?

What a difference a year makes. Thanks for the tribute.

You should check out this old post here.

Bossradio, here is an interview from TVgameshows.net back in 2003 about the GSN's future. You should read this interview here.