Game Show Network.....Gone! (Come March 2004), renamed to GSN - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TV Favorites · 12-15-2003, 12:58 PM

Behind Door No. 2: A Revamped GSN
By R. Thomas Umstead
Multichannel News, 12/15/2003 12:03:00 AM

In a major repositioning, Game Show Network will downplay its traditional game-show fare for a more robust interactive-gaming and reality-based content platform, including the planned debut of a new interactive-TV-based digital channel in 2004.

GSN will shed its name and logo next month for a new moniker, which it wouldn’t disclose, and a look that reflects its new programming identity, according to president Rich Cronin.

He expects to detail the changes at next month’s Television Critics Association gathering in Hollywood.

The first casualty of the new approach was Bob Boden, the network’s senior vice president of programming and an avid fan of classic game shows. He left this past week amid plans for the network to devote as much as 75% of its primetime lineup to casino gaming and video-game programming.

"This is a major push for us," said Cronin, adding that the rebranding efforts have received the blessing of network owners Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corp.

Cronin wouldn’t talk about shows that would be added to the revamped network, but he did say the service would launch other casino-based programming, as well as video-game content.

For more on GSN, please see R. Thomas Umstead’s story on page one of Monday’s issue of Multichannel News

IGNTBone · 12-15-2003, 02:45 PM

One word says it all.....DANGIT!

ClassicTV4Ever · 12-15-2003, 06:02 PM

I am just sickened by this. I did not wait 8 years to get GSN only for this crap to happen. I am so upset.

Brian Damage · 12-15-2003, 06:09 PM

That sucks!!!

BIG W · 12-15-2003, 08:27 PM

I got GSN in March 2002 , just before it started going downhill. I can`t believe they`re gonna ruin it by putting all that new crap on. According to tvgameshows.net, the only game shows they`re keeping are Millionaire and Match Game. Those stupid original shows were bad enough, but this is really, really gonna suck!

I was hoping the big news was TPIR coming back, but apparently there`s no chance of that happening now. I just wonder if they actually think people are still gonna watch after this.

musicradio77 · 12-15-2003, 10:35 PM

I still love "Match Game". But what happened to GSN? Here's an article from tvgameshows.net:

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 announcent 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-emphrasize 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 week. The revamped network will focus more on casino games, interactive gaming and reality-based programming. Included will be a spinoff 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 shoe to drop in the transition.

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

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

dandelion wine · 12-15-2003, 10:44 PM

This is just great.

musicradio77 · 12-15-2003, 10:52 PM

Where did all the classic game shows go? I hope there going to be a Game Show Classics in the future.

Lady T · 12-15-2003, 10:54 PM

Boy, this is terrible news..I love watching the classic game shows...

shocolah · 12-16-2003, 12:03 AM

Well PISS on whoever made that decision!

! I'm gonna miss "Match Game". They better not take that off- well, maybe it'll be on during the day.

Mr. Television · 12-16-2003, 12:26 AM

Another great network bites the dust.

ClassicComedyFan2 · 12-16-2003, 10:46 AM

I just don't believe it. Will this mean an end to all of the classic gameshows on GSN? If so, the network is dead to me.

TV Favorites · 12-16-2003, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shocolah
Well PISS on whoever made that decision! ! I'm gonna miss "Match Game". They better not take that off- well, maybe it'll be on during the day.

Match Game is one of the few classic game shows that is due to be on the network after the change.

shocolah · 12-16-2003, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TV Favorites
Match Game is one of the few classic game shows that is due to be on the network after the change.

That's good news!

Thanks

PashminaDietrich · 12-16-2003, 08:47 PM

Well, ain't this just magnificent. One of the few channels I watch fairly regularly has to go change everything around. Anybody up for starting a petition?

12-15-2003, 12:58 PM	#1
TV Favorites Star of Family Feud Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 19, 2001 Location: United States of America Posts: 3,153	GSN.....Gone! (Come January 2004) Behind Door No. 2: A Revamped GSN By R. Thomas Umstead Multichannel News, 12/15/2003 12:03:00 AM In a major repositioning, Game Show Network will downplay its traditional game-show fare for a more robust interactive-gaming and reality-based content platform, including the planned debut of a new interactive-TV-based digital channel in 2004. GSN will shed its name and logo next month for a new moniker, which it wouldn’t disclose, and a look that reflects its new programming identity, according to president Rich Cronin. He expects to detail the changes at next month’s Television Critics Association gathering in Hollywood. The first casualty of the new approach was Bob Boden, the network’s senior vice president of programming and an avid fan of classic game shows. He left this past week amid plans for the network to devote as much as 75% of its primetime lineup to casino gaming and video-game programming. "This is a major push for us," said Cronin, adding that the rebranding efforts have received the blessing of network owners Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corp. Cronin wouldn’t talk about shows that would be added to the revamped network, but he did say the service would launch other casino-based programming, as well as video-game content. For more on GSN, please see R. Thomas Umstead’s story on page one of Monday’s issue of Multichannel News
	__________________ TV Favorites Webmaster Classic TV Favorites Game Show Favorites Game Show Favorites Super Store Game Show Favorites Discussion Forums IMPORTANT NOTE RE: GSF TAPE GIVEAWAY- Due to an email glitch with the form I use on the site, any requests for tapes that were emailed after September 2006 need to be resent in order to have your name on the list. The form should be fixed now. Please only resubmit the form once. The new form system will let you know if an error has occurred.

12-15-2003, 02:45 PM	#2
IGNTBone Member Senior Member Join Date: May 03, 2000 Location: Tequesta, FL Posts: 1,201	One word says it all.....DANGIT!
	Last edited by Chelsea; 12-15-2003 at 10:19 PM.

12-15-2003, 10:35 PM	#6
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	I still love "Match Game". But what happened to GSN? Here's an article from tvgameshows.net: 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 announcent 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-emphrasize 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 week. The revamped network will focus more on casino games, interactive gaming and reality-based programming. Included will be a spinoff 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 shoe to drop in the transition. Among the possible names mentioned in other media: All-Games Channel (AGN), The Games Channel and The Interactive Channel. Cronin has confirmed none of those new names. TVgameshows.net will develop a series of stories on what has led to the decision, which has the lesssing of GSN's ownership partners, Sony Pictures Television and Liberty Digital Media.
	__________________ Musicradio77 Productions Last edited by musicradio77; 04-09-2004 at 11:37 PM.

12-15-2003, 10:44 PM	#7
dandelion wine ~ Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: Behind the Couch Posts: 34,967	This is just great.
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12-16-2003, 12:26 AM	#11
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	Another great network bites the dust.
	__________________ Sonny

12-15-2003, 06:02 PM	#3
ClassicTV4Ever Coming November 27th! Senior Member Join Date: May 02, 2002 Location: TV Land! Posts: 1,421	I am just sickened by this. I did not wait 8 years to get GSN only for this crap to happen. I am so upset.

12-15-2003, 06:09 PM	#4
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	That sucks!!!

12-15-2003, 08:27 PM	#5
BIG W Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 12, 2003 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 26	I got GSN in March 2002 , just before it started going downhill. I can`t believe they`re gonna ruin it by putting all that new crap on. According to tvgameshows.net, the only game shows they`re keeping are Millionaire and Match Game. Those stupid original shows were bad enough, but this is really, really gonna suck! I was hoping the big news was TPIR coming back, but apparently there`s no chance of that happening now. I just wonder if they actually think people are still gonna watch after this.

12-15-2003, 10:52 PM	#8
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	Where did all the classic game shows go? I hope there going to be a Game Show Classics in the future.

12-15-2003, 10:54 PM	#9
Lady T Member Forum Star Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Posts: 17,361	Boy, this is terrible news..I love watching the classic game shows...

12-16-2003, 12:03 AM	#10
shocolah Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 01, 2001 Posts: 546	Well PISS on whoever made that decision! ! I'm gonna miss "Match Game". They better not take that off- well, maybe it'll be on during the day.

12-16-2003, 10:46 AM	#12
ClassicComedyFan2 Coolicious! Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 28, 2001 Location: AL, United States, Alpha Quadrant Posts: 698	I just don't believe it. Will this mean an end to all of the classic gameshows on GSN? If so, the network is dead to me.
	__________________ The world always looks brighter from behind a smile. ~Author Unknown Optimism is the foundation of courage. ~Nicholas Murray Butler Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are. ~Author Unknown It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. ~ John Cassis ~

12-16-2003, 08:47 PM	#15
PashminaDietrich Oh no, she's baaack Senior Member Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: north of Arlen, south of Southfork, and stuck in the middle with you... Posts: 1,733	Well, ain't this just magnificent. One of the few channels I watch fairly regularly has to go change everything around. Anybody up for starting a petition?
	__________________ Don't call it a comeback... ah what the heck, go ahead...