G4 Folds Into E! Tent

Comcast is consolidating its West Coast entertainment networks, bringing G4 management under the E! Networks tent. E! and Style chief Ted Harbert has been given the newly created title of CEO, Comcast Entertainment Group. He will continue to report to Comcast Programming Group President Jeff Shell. G4 President Neal Tiles, who joined the network in September 2005, will now report to Mr. Harbert. G4’s executive staff will move into E!’s Los Angeles offices. Sources said layoffs among the G4 staff are likely, though Mr. Harbert said it’s too soon to tell.

When G4 merged with TechTV, many people were laid off. I emphasize “many”. Since that time, the entire network has turned into a huge Hollywood-type drizzle that simply was not “geeky”. Will this new change kill off more decent shows? Time will tell.