TechTV

Type	Defunct Cable network
Country	United States
Availability	International
Founded	by Ziff-Davis
Slogan	New Things. A television network is a distribution network for Television content whereby a central operation provides programming for many Television stations The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Ziff Davis Inc (ZD is an American publisher and Internet company Advertising Slogans are short often memorable phrases used in advertising campaigns Turn Us On.
Owner	Ziff Davis Vulcan Ventures G4 Media
Launch date	May 11, 1998
Dissolved	May 28, 2004 (became G4TV)
Former names	ZDTV
Affiliates	KTQW-CA
Website www.zdtv.com (now defunct), www.techtv.com (now defunct), www.g4tv.com (current website)

TechTV (May 11, 1998 – May 28, 2004) was a 24-hour cable and satellite channel based in San Francisco, California featuring news and shows about computers, technology, and the Internet. Ziff Davis Inc (ZD is an American publisher and Internet company Vulcan Inc was founded in 1986 by Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, to manage his investments G4 Media Inc is the parent company of G4, a 24-hour cable and satellite channel originally dedicated to Video games. Events 330 - Byzantium is renamed ''Nova Roma'' during a dedication ceremony but is more popularly referred to as Constantinople The year 1998 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1998. Events 585 BC - A Solar eclipse occurs as predicted by Greek philosopher and scientist Thales, while Alyattes is battling The year 2004 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 2004. G4 is an American cable and satellite Television channel originally geared toward male viewers aged 12&ndash34 devoted to the world of KGPT-CA channel 49 is an Retro Television Network and America One affiliate in Wichita Kansas, owned by Great Plains Television Network Events 330 - Byzantium is renamed ''Nova Roma'' during a dedication ceremony but is more popularly referred to as Constantinople Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Events 585 BC - A Solar eclipse occurs as predicted by Greek philosopher and scientist Thales, while Alyattes is battling "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Satellite television is Television delivered by the means of Communications satellites as compared to conventional Terrestrial television and Cable A television station is a type of broadcast station that broadcasts both audio and Video to Television receivers in a particular area The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city A computer is a Machine that manipulates data according to a list of instructions. Technology is a broad concept that deals with a Species ' usage and knowledge of Tools and Crafts and how it affects a species' ability to control and adapt The Internet is a global system of interconnected Computer networks At the height of its six year run, TechTV was broadcast in 70 countries, reached 43 million households, and claimed 1. 9 million unique visitors monthly to its website. ^[1] A focus on personality-driven product reviews and technical support made it a cultural hub for technology information worldwide, still existing today online through its former hosts' webcasts.

Contents 1 Names 2 Show personalities 3 History 3.1 ZDTV 3.2 TechTV 4 Merger 4.1 TechTV shows and personalities who survived the merger 5 Programs 6 Reunion 7 UndoTV 8 See also 9 References 10 External links

Names

It originally was called ZDTV by its founder, Ziff-Davis, when it debuted on May 11, 1998. Ziff Davis Inc (ZD is an American publisher and Internet company Events 330 - Byzantium is renamed ''Nova Roma'' during a dedication ceremony but is more popularly referred to as Constantinople The year 1998 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1998. It later was owned by Paul Allen's Vulcan Ventures. Paul Gardner Allen (born January 21 1953 is an American computer programmer and entrepreneur who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates. Vulcan Inc was founded in 1986 by Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, to manage his investments Vulcan Ventures sold TechTV to G4 Media (owned primarily by Comcast), which merged it with the video game channel G4 in May 2004 to form G4techTV. G4 Media Inc is the parent company of G4, a 24-hour cable and satellite channel originally dedicated to Video games. Comcast Corporation ( is the largest Cable television company the second largest Internet service provider and (according to the company the fourth largest telephone A video game is a Game that involves interaction with a User interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. G4 is an American cable and satellite Television channel originally geared toward male viewers aged 12&ndash34 devoted to the world of May 2004: January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September G4techTV ( May 28, 2004 &ndash February 15, 2005) was a cable and satellite channel resulting from a In February 2005, the name was changed back to G4, eliminating TechTV from the name completely. February 2005: ← - January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August

Show personalities

A few of the personalities and hosts that were featured on TechTV and G4techTV programming included Leo Laporte, Kate Botello, Patrick Norton, Chris Pirillo, John C. Dvorak, Adam Sessler, Kevin Rose, Martin Sargent, Morgan Webb, James Kim, Sumi Das, Stephanie Siemiller, Erica Hill, Victoria Recano, and Jim Louderback. This is a list of TechTV personalities and former TechTV hosts Leo Gordon Laporte (born November 29, 1956 in New York City, New York) is an American Technology broadcaster and Kate Botello is a former American Television personality best known for her work on the San Francisco, California -based ZDTV Patrick Norton (born June 26 1970, Urbana Illinois) is most commonly known as the former co-host and managing editor of The Screen Savers Christopher "Chris" Joseph Pirillo (born) is the founder and maintainer of Lockergnome John Charles Dvorak (born 1952 in Los Angeles, California) is an American Columnist and broadcaster in the areas of Technology Adam Donovan Sessler (born August 29 1973 is co-host and senior segment producer of the show X-Play on G4 (formerly TechTV) with Morgan Robert Kevin Rose (born February 21, 1977 in California After dropping out he worked for the Department of Energy, at the Nevada Test Site, Martin Paul Sargent (born August 18, 1975 in Spencerport, New York) is an American Television personality Morgan Ailis Webb (born October 5, 1978) is host of the podcast WebbAlert, a co-host and senior segment producer of the G4 show James Kim ( August 9, 1971 &ndash December 3&ndash4 2006 was an American television personality and technology analyst for the former TechTV Sumi Das ( Hindi: सुमी दास is the former co-host of TechTV 's Fresh Gear Erica Ruth Hill (born July 20, 1976, in Clinton Connecticut) is an American TV News presenter who currently works for Victoria Recaño is an Emmy Award -winning American television personality best known for being a correspondent on such programs as The Insider James 'Jim' Louderback (born in 1961 is the CEO of Revision3.

Many former hosts of TechTV programs have gone on to create new programs distributed online: This Week in Tech, Chris Pirillo's live.pirillo.com, Systm, thebroken, From The Shadows, commandN, Diggnation, Infected with Martin Sargent, DL.TV, CrankyGeeks, InDigital, East Meets West, and Weezy and the Swish are some of the current shows being produced. THIS WEEK in TECH casually referred to as TWiT, and formerly known as Revenge of the Screen Savers is an award winning weekly Christopher "Chris" Joseph Pirillo (born) is the founder and maintainer of Lockergnome Systm is a weekly Video podcast produced by Revision3, geared toward “the common geek” a “ This Old House ” for geeks hosted thebroken is a Video podcast produced by Revision3, focusing on Software cracking, computer intrusion, and other "questionable activities" commandN is a weekly tech news video show with hosts/producers Amber MacArthur, Chris Dick (producer Will Pate and Jeff MacArthur. Diggnation is a weekly Video podcast produced by Revision3. It is hosted by Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht, who had previously hosted TechTV Infected by Martin Sargent was a weekly Video podcast produced by Revision3, hosted by Martin Sargent. DLTV is a Technology related IPTV show hosted by Robert Heron. Cranky Geeks is a Technology -related Internet show produced by Ziff Davis Media centered on discussion of technology topics of the week Revision3 is a San Francisco based Internet television network that creates produces and distributes

Leo Laporte hosted Call for Help which aired until April 6, 2007. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats Caecilius Metellus Scipio and Marcus Porcius Cato in the Battle of Thapsus The year 2007 in television involves some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 2007. It was revamped and renamed The Lab with Leo Laporte and is shown on G4techTV Canada and the Australian HOW TO Channel. The Lab with Leo Laporte was a technology-based television program hosted by Leo Laporte. G4techTV Canada is a Canadian English language category 1 Digital cable Specialty channel co-owned by Rogers Media and HOW TO Channel is an Australian cable and satellite Television channel The show was filmed in HD and Laporte hoped to have it picked up by an American network. The series has since been cancelled due to poor ratings.

History

ZDTV

Vulcan Ventures first invested in ZDTV in November 1998, acquiring a one-third interest from Ziff-Davis. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) In November 1999, Vulcan purchased the remaining two-thirds in a transaction that was completed on January 21, 2000. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The deal (which permitted Vulcan to temporarily continue using the "ZD" initials and "red diamond" logo) was worth approximately $204. 8 million.

In July 2000, it was announced that ZDNet would be acquired by CNET, placing ZDTV in the awkward position of using the initials and logo of a company that soon would belong to its main TV programming rival. July 2000: January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September In 1991 Ziff Davis Publishing Company brought together a small diverse set of online forums and information services (most notably "PC MagNet" under the name CNET Networks Inc is a media company based in San Francisco California, United States, and is part of CBS Interactive, owned However, a new name was already being worked on.

TechTV

On August 21, 2000, ZDTV was renamed TechTV, and a new on-air strategy was announced along with several new series. Events 1192 - Minamoto Yoritomo becomes Seii Tai Shōgun and the De facto ruler of Japan. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar.

Soon, TechTV made a huge commitment to live broadcasting when it launched a nine-hour experimental news program called TechLive in April 2001. TechLive (formerly known as ZDTV News and TechTV News) ( 1998 - 2004) was a live Television program on the former Technology April 2001: January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September The show, which catered to daytraders and business types, never caught on with TechTV's geeky audience. In November 2001, following a massive round of layoffs, TechLive was divided into three one-hour shows. In the spring of 2002, TechLive was cut further into just one thirty-minute daily news magazine show, with a focus less on tech news and more on how technology changed people's lives. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar.

Beginning March 15, 2001, TechTV experienced repeated layoffs. Events 44 BC - Julius Caesar, Dictator of the Roman Republic, is stabbed to death by Marcus Junius Brutus, Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. ^[2] In 2002, Silicon Spin (which launched in May 1998) and AudioFile (launched in August 2000) were canceled, but 2003 saw the introduction of several new shows (such as Performance, Robot Wars, and Unscrewed with Martin Sargent). Silicon Spin was a half-hour business-related Technology Television program that aired on ZDTV (later known as TechTV) during the August 2000: January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Unscrewed with Martin Sargent was a late night American TV show that brought out the Comedy of Technology. "Internet Tonight" was to be replaced by TechLive, but new shows created by repackaging old segments were run for several months after TechLive debuted. Internet Tonight ( 1998 - October 1, 2001) was a Television program on the cable network ZDTV (later known

In late 2001 and early 2002, many Comcast cable systems dropped TechTV from their channel lineups. At the time, some viewers speculated that this was done to eliminate a competitor to the Comcast-owned G4. When Comcast's G4 Media acquired TechTV and merged it with G4 in 2004, a second theory emerged, which suggested that Comcast's actual motive was to lower TechTV's value, and ultimately its asking price. G4 Media Inc is the parent company of G4, a 24-hour cable and satellite channel originally dedicated to Video games. TechTV ( May 11, 1998 &ndash May 28, 2004) was a 24-hour cable and satellite channel based in San

TechTV Canada (now G4techTV Canada) launched on September 7, 2001 as a joint venture of TechTV, Rogers Media, and Shaw Communications. G4techTV Canada is a Canadian English language category 1 Digital cable Specialty channel co-owned by Rogers Media and Events 1251 BC - A Solar eclipse on this date might mark the birth of legendary Heracles at Thebes Greece. The year 2001 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 2001. Rogers Media Inc is a subsidiary of Rogers Communications Inc Shaw Communications is a Canadian Telecommunications company that provides telephone internet and television services

TechTV was also broadcast over the air on KTQW in Wichita, KS until the TechTV name was dropped during the G4 merger. KGPT-CA channel 49 is an Retro Television Network and America One affiliate in Wichita Kansas, owned by Great Plains Television Network Wichita (ˈwɪtʃɪtaː is the most populous City in the US state of Kansas, and the county seat of Sedgwick County. TechTV ( May 11, 1998 &ndash May 28, 2004) was a 24-hour cable and satellite channel based in San ^[3]

In 2004, TechTV was introduced to the New Foxtel Digital format in Australia. Foxtel is an Australian Pay television company formed through a joint venture between Telstra, News Corporation and Consolidated Media For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. After the merger with G4, TechTV (then called G4techTV) left Australia lineups as its international feed ceased, the channel TechTV occupied was replaced by a new Australian Network, the Crime & Investigation Network. Crime & Investigation Network is a brand of channels shown Worldwide mostly owned by A&E Networks. On Malaysia's ASTRO network, repeats of the international feed was run for some time after the international feed ceased before starting to import G4TV programming and retransmitting them locally. For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and Astro is a Subscription -based Direct broadcast satellite (DBS or Direct-to-home Satellite television and radio service In addition to those countries, TechTV had existence in Russia, and Great Britain. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands In Japan, Sony's So-net channel aired several TechTV programs until the fall of 2005 (They aired reruns after May 2004). For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. is a Japanese Internet service provider operated by ( Timeline November 1995 - The operating company Sony Communication Network Corporation Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In New Zealand, TechTV aired on Saturn Communications TV channel 34 until May 2004. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island Saturn Communications (sometimes referred to as simply Saturn) was a company based in Petone in the Hutt Valley that built and operated a cable television

Merger

On March 25, 2004, Comcast's G4 gaming channel announced a merger with TechTV. Events 1199 - Richard I is wounded by a crossbow bolt while fighting France which leads to his death on April 6. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " This move became hugely controversial among loyal fans of TechTV and Leo Laporte, because of a contract dispute with Vulcan that caused Laporte to leave the channel. A contract is an exchange of promises between two or more parties to do or refrain from doing an act which is enforceable in a court of law A controversy or dispute is a commencement of a conflict between statements of accepted fact and a new or unaccepted proposal that disagrees with argues against Around May 6, G4 announced the termination of 250 employees from the San Francisco office by July 10, 2004, allowing approximately 80 to 100 employees to transition to G4's main office in Los Angeles, California if they agreed to relocate there. Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. Events 48 BC - Battle of Dyrrhachium, Julius Caesar barely avoids a catastrophic defeat to Pompey in Macedonia. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West ^[4]

On May 10, 2004, G4 Media completed the acquisition of TechTV from Vulcan. Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England. G4techTV was launched in the U. G4techTV ( May 28, 2004 &ndash February 15, 2005) was a cable and satellite channel resulting from a S. and Canada on May 28, 2004. Events 585 BC - A Solar eclipse occurs as predicted by Greek philosopher and scientist Thales, while Alyattes is battling This led to the cancellation of many of the TechTV channels throughout carriers across the world. On January 3, 2005, TechTV International began airing select programs from G4techTV. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

On February 15, 2005, the TechTV brand was dropped from the United States G4techTV feed, leaving the network name as G4 - Video Game Television; since then, G4 has gone through a rebranding into a male oriented network. Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor For the time being, the Canadian feed has retained the G4techTV name due to a majority ownership and Canadian content regulations. Canadian content (abbreviated cancon or can-con) refers to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission requirements that Radio

TechTV shows and personalities who survived the merger

Only six TechTV personalities, Kevin Rose, Sarah Lane, Morgan Webb, Adam Sessler, Chi-Lan Lieu, and Brendan Moran, survived the merger. Robert Kevin Rose (born February 21, 1977 in California After dropping out he worked for the Department of Energy, at the Nevada Test Site, Sarah Lane (born October 12, 1976 in Santa Cruz California) is an American Television personality most notably known for her Morgan Ailis Webb (born October 5, 1978) is host of the podcast WebbAlert, a co-host and senior segment producer of the G4 show Adam Donovan Sessler (born August 29 1973 is co-host and senior segment producer of the show X-Play on G4 (formerly TechTV) with Morgan Chi-Lan Lieu previously worked on the TechTV show Fresh Gear as a correspondent until it was cancelled following the merger of TechTV and G4. Brendan Moran (born July 16, 1976 in Elmhurst Illinois) is an American Television personality best known for his work as a co-host As of January 2008, Sessler and Webb are the only remaining TechTV personalities working at G4, with Sessler being the only host remaining from the launch of the network in 1998. PortalCurrent events International holidays January 1 - New Year's Day January 1 - Independence

In addition, only two TechTV shows, Anime Unleashed and X-Play, survived the merger without any major changes. Anime Unleashed was an Anime block that was broadcast on the American cable TV network, G4. X-Play (previously GameSpot TV and Extended Play) is a TV program about Video games known for its reviews and As of March 2006, Anime Unleashed was removed from the G4 schedule--for how long is unknown--leaving X-Play the only remaining TechTV show in existence in the United States. G4 is an American cable and satellite Television channel originally geared toward male viewers aged 12&ndash34 devoted to the world of The United States of America —commonly referred to as the While at first glance, some may notice a fleeting similarity to TechTV's The Screen Savers, following massive changes to its format, the hour-long tech help show was replaced in 2005 by Attack of the Show, an hour-long, video game and entertainment news magazine interspersed with miscellaneous segments targeted at its adolescent male audience.

During the merger, members from the Anime Unleashed and X-Play message boards located on the TTV website relocated to an "exodus" board know as The Haisho. Anime Unleashed was an Anime block that was broadcast on the American cable TV network, G4. X-Play (previously GameSpot TV and Extended Play) is a TV program about Video games known for its reviews and However, most members of The Haisho are still active on the G4 message boards for Anime Unleashed and X-Play. Anime Unleashed was an Anime block that was broadcast on the American cable TV network, G4. X-Play (previously GameSpot TV and Extended Play) is a TV program about Video games known for its reviews and

The Screen Savers survives somewhat in Attack of the Show. The Screen Savers (broadcast May 11, 1998 – March 18, 2005) was a live American TV show on TechTV Attack of the Show! (commonly referred to as AOTS) is a Stony Awards winning U Once it changed to Attack of the Show, there were several changes. The studio audience was dropped, and instead of focusing exclusively on technology, the show broadened its base to cover things like sports and movies. The only original TechTV personalities to survive the transition to Attack of the Show were Kevin Rose, Sarah Lane, and Brendan Moran. Robert Kevin Rose (born February 21, 1977 in California After dropping out he worked for the Department of Energy, at the Nevada Test Site, Sarah Lane (born October 12, 1976 in Santa Cruz California) is an American Television personality most notably known for her Brendan Moran (born July 16, 1976 in Elmhurst Illinois) is an American Television personality best known for his work as a co-host Rose left on May 27, 2005, and Lane left with Moran on April 6, 2006.

Programs

See List of programs broadcast by TechTV. This is a list of programs broadcast by TechTV Anime Unleashed AudioFile Beyond Tomorrow

Reunion

A possible TechTV reunion was announced by Leo Laporte in his blog on July 21, 2006. Leo Gordon Laporte (born November 29, 1956 in New York City, New York) is an American Technology broadcaster and Further details were also announced by Chris Pirillo on his blog. Christopher "Chris" Joseph Pirillo (born) is the founder and maintainer of Lockergnome

UndoTV

UndoTV is a web venture being devised by former TechTV personalities Chris Pirillo and Leo Laporte. TechTV ( May 11, 1998 &ndash May 28, 2004) was a 24-hour cable and satellite channel based in San Christopher "Chris" Joseph Pirillo (born) is the founder and maintainer of Lockergnome Leo Gordon Laporte (born November 29, 1956 in New York City, New York) is an American Technology broadcaster and UndoTV is a portal that centralizes Internet multimedia content that is being produced by former TechTV talent, and also by producers of other technology-related content. Leo Laporte has stated that he feels that UndoTV is still in its infancy, and is not yet functional or useful.

The idea for UndoTV came from the planning of a TechTV reunion broadcast.

Chris Pirillo gave many reasons for creating UndoTV. Christopher "Chris" Joseph Pirillo (born) is the founder and maintainer of Lockergnome Chris Pirillo's UndoTV Statement

• Some former TechTV talent are no longer producing tech content.
• We're (UndoTV) undoing TechTV's untimely and unwarranted demise.
• The television industry is changing, and we're (UndoTV) all helping "undo" it.
• There are few preconceived notions with the word "undo. "
• The CTRL+Z reference is geeky enough, but it doesn't turn off non-geeks.
• The appropriate domains were available.
• Informal reactions to the "UndoTV" name were positive.
• All TechTV/ZDTV fans will find us (UndoTV), no matter what we call it.

See also

• List of programs broadcast by TechTV
• List of TechTV Personalities
• The TechTV Portal

References

External links

• TechTV website (redirects to G4 website)
• The TechTV Vault
• Internet Archive of TechTV website
• UndoTV website
• ZDTV starts broadcasting - News. com, May 11, 1998
• G4techTV Canada website
• DigitalLife TV - Targeted to replace the former TechTV network with the original concept, ownership, and hosts.
• Revision3 - Kevin Rose's new ventures into the world of Technology TV.
• TWiT.TV - Leo Laporte's new tech network aimed at filling the void left by TechTV.

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