Game Network
Encyclopedia
Game Network was a European online game and television network company. It was initially owned by Digital Bros. group, but was later sold to Cellcast
. Game Network was, during its broadcast, the only television channel in Europe dedicated to covering multimedia entertainment, and generally focused on video games.
) overlaying their own regional content to the channel, with programs including Game Guru, Reloaded, Livewire, and most recently, Evolution. The channel expanded in 2003 with the launch of non-gaming programmes such as Babestation
, a late-night "tease" show. The success of this show lead to many other clone programmes appearing on other channels, and this alternative revenue stream lead to a later influx of phone-in quiz shows, of which Game Network shows many. As of 2005, Game Network's UK games programming is largely limited to a block of raw games footage from 5:30am - 10am, with Game Guru airing from 5pm until 7pm, followed by programmes such as Psychic Interactive
, which continue until Babestation
starts.
The major gaming shows, such as LiveWire was cancelled in May 2005, and the Italian-language feed from Hotbird ceased in September 2005. At this time, Digital Bros. sold Game Network in the UK, to a company called Cellcast. The channel was run in tandem by Sem Mioli (Digital Bros.) and Jonathan French/Craig Gardiner (Cellcast). 2003 to 2006.
, with all video game content being dropped. On 28 February, the channel was moved to the adult section of the Sky EPG.
(December 2001 – February 2006)
The show was a live daily phone-in video gaming show originally presented by one "guru" presenter via webcam. After October 2003 (Series 2) the format changed to two presenters, one working on Phone Calls while presenting on camera, while the other worked on Texts (He/she often could be heard in many episodes).
Members of the public would ring or text in and ask for cheats or walkthroughs to various video games such as Bubble Bobble on the Commodore 64, after which the Gurus would explain how and/or post up the solution on television via a chatroom like text program. Viewers could also ask for game release dates, opinions on what game/console to buy next or for news about the gaming industry.
See the Game Guru Wikipedia page for more details...
LiveWire
(November 2004 - June 2005)
A live Saturday news, reviews and previews show, presented by Gareth Williams, Chris Jeffery and, in later shows, Stuart Headlam. Often with a special guest from the gaming industry. The show once even had a special guest appearance from Goldie Looking Chain.
Reloaded
Series 1 (January 2005 - June 2005)
(AKA Game Guru Reloaded) Another live show. Originally a daily, then a Saturday show, where the Game Gurus would challenge the public to bouts of various games online, either over PS2, Xbox Live (Original and 360) or PC. The show would often be presented by a random presenter (see the presenter list above). The Game Gurus usually played games like Halo 2, Rainbow Six 3 Black Arrow and PGR2 via Xbox Live. (Gamertags: GameGuruUk and GameGuruUK2)
Series 2 (November 2005 - February 2006)
In the second series, Reloaded also incorporated the features of LiveWire, which did not return due to copyright reasons with the name.
Evolution
(September 2005 - February 2006)
One of Game Network's only pre-recorded shows. The concept was quite bizarre, originally meant to be presented from DJ NES's (Daniel Scammel) and Peter Browning's (Game Network Producer) Flat. It consisted of news, reviews, interviews and previews presented by a naked man in a towel, a guy who called himself "Duck Recon", and Game Guru's "Guru Larry" (Larry Bundy Jr) streaming video over a PC monitor. The show moved direction to be presented in the usual Game Network studio (grey sofa, large plasma TV in the background), and then into a more information based show with the main screen in a window, with information, text, release dates etc. filling the rest of the screen.
A short lived documentary based on the E3 conference of 2005. 3 show regulars (Mike Rushton, Chris Jeffery and Dom Lawler) along with 2 randoms (Scott Doherty and Ryan Hadley) took part in this observational documentary that not only focused on the goings on of the exhibition but also the behind the scenes action. Due to the cancellation of Game Guru in early June 2005, only 4 of the 12 episodes aired, though many of the later episodes did eventually appear on websites.
Guru Larry's Hack Job
An all out comedy show involving Guru Larry presenting the show with his own bizarre and funny twist on the industry, often making fun of people in the games industry such as Jack Thompson. Although a series was made, it never made it to air because of the cancellation of the channel. Some clips of the show remain on the internet.
Cellcast Group
Cellcast Group is a broadcasting company based in the United Kingdom. It is often associated with Square 1 Management Ltd, especially on DTT. They operate mainly Chat and Adult channels on Satellite and Digital Terrestrial Television . They first started operating in 2002, when their flagship...
. Game Network was, during its broadcast, the only television channel in Europe dedicated to covering multimedia entertainment, and generally focused on video games.
History
Originally, Game Network's television channel was available all over Europe, with the UK version (produced by CellcastCellcast Group
Cellcast Group is a broadcasting company based in the United Kingdom. It is often associated with Square 1 Management Ltd, especially on DTT. They operate mainly Chat and Adult channels on Satellite and Digital Terrestrial Television . They first started operating in 2002, when their flagship...
) overlaying their own regional content to the channel, with programs including Game Guru, Reloaded, Livewire, and most recently, Evolution. The channel expanded in 2003 with the launch of non-gaming programmes such as Babestation
Babestation
Babestation is a British soft porn TV programme aired since 2002. The first and most well-known show of its kind in the UK, it allows viewers to communicate live with female presenters via a premium-rate telephone number or text messaging...
, a late-night "tease" show. The success of this show lead to many other clone programmes appearing on other channels, and this alternative revenue stream lead to a later influx of phone-in quiz shows, of which Game Network shows many. As of 2005, Game Network's UK games programming is largely limited to a block of raw games footage from 5:30am - 10am, with Game Guru airing from 5pm until 7pm, followed by programmes such as Psychic Interactive
Psychic Television
Psychic Today is a satellite-based interactive television channel that offers direct access to psychics, mediums, astrologers & tarot readers. Psychic Today gives its audience direct access to predictions and readings through various means of live participation...
, which continue until Babestation
Babestation
Babestation is a British soft porn TV programme aired since 2002. The first and most well-known show of its kind in the UK, it allows viewers to communicate live with female presenters via a premium-rate telephone number or text messaging...
starts.
The major gaming shows, such as LiveWire was cancelled in May 2005, and the Italian-language feed from Hotbird ceased in September 2005. At this time, Digital Bros. sold Game Network in the UK, to a company called Cellcast. The channel was run in tandem by Sem Mioli (Digital Bros.) and Jonathan French/Craig Gardiner (Cellcast). 2003 to 2006.
British version
As of 20 February 2006, Game Network UK had been renamed BabestationBabestation
Babestation is a British soft porn TV programme aired since 2002. The first and most well-known show of its kind in the UK, it allows viewers to communicate live with female presenters via a premium-rate telephone number or text messaging...
, with all video game content being dropped. On 28 February, the channel was moved to the adult section of the Sky EPG.
Shows
Game Guru(December 2001 – February 2006)
The show was a live daily phone-in video gaming show originally presented by one "guru" presenter via webcam. After October 2003 (Series 2) the format changed to two presenters, one working on Phone Calls while presenting on camera, while the other worked on Texts (He/she often could be heard in many episodes).
Members of the public would ring or text in and ask for cheats or walkthroughs to various video games such as Bubble Bobble on the Commodore 64, after which the Gurus would explain how and/or post up the solution on television via a chatroom like text program. Viewers could also ask for game release dates, opinions on what game/console to buy next or for news about the gaming industry.
See the Game Guru Wikipedia page for more details...
LiveWire
(November 2004 - June 2005)
A live Saturday news, reviews and previews show, presented by Gareth Williams, Chris Jeffery and, in later shows, Stuart Headlam. Often with a special guest from the gaming industry. The show once even had a special guest appearance from Goldie Looking Chain.
Reloaded
Series 1 (January 2005 - June 2005)
(AKA Game Guru Reloaded) Another live show. Originally a daily, then a Saturday show, where the Game Gurus would challenge the public to bouts of various games online, either over PS2, Xbox Live (Original and 360) or PC. The show would often be presented by a random presenter (see the presenter list above). The Game Gurus usually played games like Halo 2, Rainbow Six 3 Black Arrow and PGR2 via Xbox Live. (Gamertags: GameGuruUk and GameGuruUK2)
Series 2 (November 2005 - February 2006)
In the second series, Reloaded also incorporated the features of LiveWire, which did not return due to copyright reasons with the name.
Evolution
(September 2005 - February 2006)
One of Game Network's only pre-recorded shows. The concept was quite bizarre, originally meant to be presented from DJ NES's (Daniel Scammel) and Peter Browning's (Game Network Producer) Flat. It consisted of news, reviews, interviews and previews presented by a naked man in a towel, a guy who called himself "Duck Recon", and Game Guru's "Guru Larry" (Larry Bundy Jr) streaming video over a PC monitor. The show moved direction to be presented in the usual Game Network studio (grey sofa, large plasma TV in the background), and then into a more information based show with the main screen in a window, with information, text, release dates etc. filling the rest of the screen.
Incomplete and unaired shows
7 Days in LAA short lived documentary based on the E3 conference of 2005. 3 show regulars (Mike Rushton, Chris Jeffery and Dom Lawler) along with 2 randoms (Scott Doherty and Ryan Hadley) took part in this observational documentary that not only focused on the goings on of the exhibition but also the behind the scenes action. Due to the cancellation of Game Guru in early June 2005, only 4 of the 12 episodes aired, though many of the later episodes did eventually appear on websites.
Guru Larry's Hack Job
An all out comedy show involving Guru Larry presenting the show with his own bizarre and funny twist on the industry, often making fun of people in the games industry such as Jack Thompson. Although a series was made, it never made it to air because of the cancellation of the channel. Some clips of the show remain on the internet.
Video clips
- Video highlights from Reloaded's Xbox 360 launch special
- Additional highlights from the Reloaded Xbox 360 launch special
- Reloaded's Game Guru Vs. Friendly TV's Gamerweb special
- Reloaded's ident/testcard "ITV Schools" spoof screen