Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Comcast

  • Comcast Has Pulled the Plug on G4

    Comcast Has Pulled the Plug on G4

    Comcast has decided to pull the plug on G4. The news comes after the network sought to make a comeback last year. News of G4’s planned revival was first announced at 2020’s virtual San Diego Comic-Con. G4 managed to become a huge part of gaming culture in the 2000s but was ultimately shut down in 2014.

    Those employed at G4 were informed of Comcast’s decision in a memo sent out by Spectacor CEO Dave Scott. The CEO explained that, unfortunately, the network failed to gain the necessary traction to turn a profit on the revival thanks to low viewership. G4’s operations are to be discontinued effective immediately. Per Scott, those still employed with G4, would be able to reach out to human resources for support and other opportunities that “may be available.”

    While G4 was huge during the 2000s, the attempt to revive the network saw a much smaller version that was less focused on “traditional linear TV.” The revival did include new versions of its mainstay programs like Attack of the Show! and Xplay, but neither managed to gain enough viewership to keep viewers interested.

    The original G4 first began in 2002 while under co-owners NBCUniversal and Dish Network. It was developed as a successor to MTV, with its focus on youth culture. Unfortunately, it was canceled in 2014, with Esquire Network, taking its place for a short time.

    Source: Deadline.

  • Warner Bros. Discovery Leadership May Be Prepping for a Future Sale, Comcast the Likeliest Potential Buyer

    Warner Bros. Discovery Leadership May Be Prepping for a Future Sale, Comcast the Likeliest Potential Buyer

    Warner Bros. Discovery has been quite the chaotic merger for many reasons. The cancelation of almost finished products left a sour taste with many, but taking down exclusive projects from streamers may have been the straw that breaks the camel’s back. In a new report by The Hollywood Reporter, they showcase a lot of uncertainty that’s brewing between talent agencies and investors for the company.

    Their current hunt for a “Kevin Feige” for DC has many concerns as no one really would want that job. Even if you do a decent job, like Walter Hamada did dragging the franchise to its current popular standing after the Zack Snyder fallout, you’re always stuck in comparison. One talent representative highlights the biggest issue anyone would face:

    DC is so fragmented. J.J. [Abrams] had this one, Zack Snyder had that one, Todd Phillips had the other thing. And they’re all such huge egos.

    With that many egos, it’ll be hard to truly bring a united franchise together as WBD hopes to accomplish. Plus, they are still moving forward with Elseworld stories like a Joker sequel and The Batman franchise. Some are suggesting that new CEO David Zaslav, who has been reported in the past to have a harsh leadership style by former Discovery employees, is simply prepping the company for its next sale.

    Most of his endeavors and that of the CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels is to cover Warner Bros.’s massive $50B+ debt; no simple task for anyone. As such building up their biggest brands and covering as much of the debt as possible opens up that very possibility. It seems Comcast’s Brian Roberts is the one that has his eyes on the studio the most to further build up NBCUniversal and combine it with WBD. One executive with inside knowledge gave the following statement in regards to why there’s a good possibility:

    Obviously Peacock sucks. There are some good synergies. I’m sure [Roberts] is licking his chops because the [WBD] stock is so low. And I think that’s Zaslav’s endgame. Get the place sold.

    The head of another company highlighted just how sad this development would be as it would mark the end of another massive studio after Disney purchased Fox some years ago. The issue is simply becoming challenging for these massive studios to stay afloat and handle their debt management. Not everything is doom and gloom, as some are highlighting that some additions have been more talent-friendly unlike under AT&T’s leadership and a seller isn’t something that’s definite as of yet.

    Source: THR