[Update 2] Attack of the Show’s official Facebook page posted a statement explaining future plans. Here’s a portion:
G4’s two longest-running and defining series, Attack of the Show! and X-Play, will be ending their run at the end of 2012. Both shows will include original episodes through the end of the year, and will look back at their most memorable moments as we lead up to their final episodes. A rotating lineup of guest co-hosts including John Barrowman, Michael Ian Black, Josh Myers, Paul Scheer, Rob Huebel and Horatio Sanz will join AOTS hosts Candace Bailey andSara Underwood, and X-Play hosts Morgan Webb and Blair Herter as part of the farewell shows.
[Updated] “This was pretty long in the making,” said a source close to the situation. Around the beginning of January, according to our source, the network started testing the shows for expectations they would likely not meet.
Since it’s video game-related programming, the channel had a major concern: It was encouraging an activity that actually took people away from television viewing, my source told me.
G4 suffered a major blow when Direct TV dropped the channel in 2010. Back then, Direct TV had 19.2 million subscribers, a number that has grown to 19.91 million in 2012. “They lost that many homes,” said our source.
[Original story] According to multiple reports, G4, the cable television channel known for video game-related programming, is killing “Attack of the Show” and “X-Play,” both shows focused on gaming and geek culture. Both conclude at the end of the year, says TV Guide. Through the next two months, the shows will focus on wrapping up with “farewell” episodes and invite special guests and former hosts.
The network launched in 2002 and began as a channel strictly focused on gaming. Over time, changes in programming made “X-Play” the only gaming-related show.
The future of the channel is unknown, but it’s rumored that the network has plans to partner with Esquire or GQ magazine in an attempt to capture a newer, predominantly male audience.
Adam Sessler, the former co-host of “X-Play” who left G4 earlier this year, tweeted the following:
Abbie Heppe, the community Manager for Respawn Entertainment and formerly of G4 and X-Play, tweeted:
Geoff Keighley, the host of GameTrailers on Spike TV and friend of many of the G4 personalities, said:
GamesBeat will update as more information becomes available.