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.
