TechTV: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

Article Images

Line 1:

~~{{More citations needed|date=October 2021}}~~

Line 20 ⟶ 19:

| owner = 1998-2000 [[Ziff Davis]] <br /> 2000-2004 [[Vulcan Inc.]] <br /> 2004 [[G4 Media (TV company)|G4 Media]] <br /> 1998-2004 [[EchoStar Corporation|EchoStar]]/[[Dish Network]] (minority percentage)

| key_people =

| country = ~~{{flag|~~United States}}

| language = [[American English|English]]

| area =

Line 50 ⟶ 49:

==History==

===~~ZDTV~~Origins===

On August 20, 1994, computer magazine publisher [[Ziff Davis]] entered the television industry with the premiere of ''The Personal Computing Show'', a program that aired on Saturday mornings on [[CNBC]], [[America's Talking]] and the Jones Computing Network. ''The Personal Computing Show'', co-hosted by [[Jim Louderback]] and [[Gina Smith]], targeted a growing demographic of personal computer owners and demonstrated how to purchase, install, maintain and repair personal computers and peripheral devices such as [[Printer (computing)|printers]]. Shortly after ''The Personal Computing Show''{{'}}s premiere, Ziff Davis revealed plans to produce a second show in October 1994 named ''PC Update'', a half-hour Sunday morning news program hosted by [[Leo Laporte]] and focusing on the computer industry.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-tv-taps-need/144200559/ |title=TV taps need for computer literacy |last=Coile |first=Zachary |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |location=[[San Francisco]], [[California]] |date=August 22, 1994 |page=41}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-tv-taps-part/144202829/ |title=TV taps need for computer literacy |last=Coile |first=Zachary |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |location=[[San Francisco]], [[California]] |date=August 22, 1994 |page=46}}</ref> According to Ziff Davis spokesman Gregory Jarboe, ''The Personal Computing Show'' was unsuccessful due to its relegation to odd channels and timeslots.<ref name=WestCable>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-eye-on-america/144210157/ |title=Eye on America |last=Rafter |first=Michelle V. |newspaper=[[The Los Angeles Times]] |location=[[Los Angeles]], [[California]] |date=December 29, 1997 |page=43}}</ref> When Ziff Davis' sale to investment firm [[Forstmann Little & Company]] was announced in October 1994, a small [[Foster City, California|Foster City]]-based television operation named "ZD-TV" was listed as a company asset.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-ziff-davis-so/144198745/ |title=Ziff-Davis sold for $1.4 billion |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |location=[[San Francisco]], [[California]] |date=October 27, 1994 |page=57}}</ref>

~~[[File:ZDTVlogo.svg|thumb|145px|ZDTV logo]]~~

On August 20, 1994, computer magazine publisher [[Ziff Davis]] entered the television industry with the premiere of ''The Personal Computing Show'', a program that aired on Saturday mornings on [[CNBC]]. ''The Personal Computing Show'', co-hosted by [[Jim Louderback]] and [[Gina Smith]], targeted a growing demographic of personal computer owners and demonstrated how to purchase, install, maintain and repair personal computers and peripheral devices such as [[Printer (computing)|printers]]. In October 1994, Ziff Davis premiered ''PC Update'', a half-hour Sunday morning news program hosted by [[Leo Laporte]] and focusing on the computer industry. Apart from CNBC, both programs aired on [[America's Talking]] and the Jones Computing Network.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-tv-taps-need/144200559/ |title=TV taps need for computer literacy |last=Coile |first=Zachary |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |location=[[San Francisco]], [[California]] |date=August 22, 1994 |page=41}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-tv-taps-part/144202829/ |title=TV taps need for computer literacy |last=Coile |first=Zachary |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |location=[[San Francisco]], [[California]] |date=August 22, 1994 |page=46}}</ref> When Ziff Davis' sale to investment firm [[Forstmann Little & Company]] was announced the same month, a small [[Foster City, California|Foster City]]-based television operation named "ZD-TV" was listed as a company asset.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-ziff-davis-so/144198745/ |title=Ziff-Davis sold for $1.4 billion |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |location=[[San Francisco]], [[California]] |date=October 27, 1994 |page=57}}</ref>

In April 1996, Ziff Davis announced the establishment of ZDTV as a [[San Francisco]]-based unit specializing in the production of television and internet broadcasts, which would allow the publisher to showcase its products. Its first project was to develop ''[[The Site]]'', a daily hour-long [[prime time]] news show co-hosted by [[Soledad O'Brien]] about the increasing social and economic effects of technology. The program aired on the cable news network [[MSNBC]], which launched on July 15, 1996.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-ziff-davis-starts-tv-sh/143861885/ |title=Softbank's Ziff-Davis starts unit for TV show |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |location=[[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]] |date=April 18, 1996 |page=41}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-maria-times-msnbc-programs/143863425/ |title=Original programs on tap for MSNBC |last=Nessman |first=Ravi |newspaper=[[Santa Maria Times]] |location=[[Santa Maria, California]] |date=June 7, 1996 |page=9}}</ref> It was the third San Francisco-based television program specializing in technology after ''[[CNET Central]]'' and ''Cyberlife''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-zdtv-runs-on/143864270/ |title=ZDTV show to run on MSNBC at night |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |location=[[San Francisco]], [[California]] |date=June 28, 1996 |page=79}}</ref> According to Ziff Davis chief executive Larry Wangberg,<ref name=WestCable/> San Francisco was chosen as ZDTV's headquarters for its proximity to [[Silicon Valley]] and easy access to [[Multimedia Gulch]]-based talent.<ref name=Customized>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-zdtv-cooking/144211724/ |title=ZDTV cooking up customized cable |last=Armstrong |first=David |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |location=[[San Francisco]], [[California]] |date=March 29, 1998 |page=56}}</ref>

On May 6, 1997, Ziff Davis announced its plan to launch ZDTV as a 24-hour interactive cable network specializing in computers and the Internet. The publisher put $100 million behind the project and planned to debut the ZDTV channel in early 1998. Projected programming for the channel included talk shows on the impact of technology, business-oriented shows evaluating investments in high-tech stocks, and reviews of software and hardware.<ref name=NewYorkDaily>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-tv-for-pc-crowd/122109644/ |title=TV for PC crowd |last=Kelly |first=Keith J. |newspaper=[[New York Daily News|Daily News]] |location=[[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]] |date=May 7, 1997 |page=56}}</ref> Children's programming was also planned for the weekends.<ref name=DesertSun>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-desert-sun-computer-tv-stakes-out-te/122111839/ |title=Computer TV stakes out territory |newspaper=[[The Desert Sun]] |location=[[Palm Springs, California]] |date=May 7, 1997 |page=32}}</ref> The channel had 11 initial charter advertisers, including [[IBM]], [[Gateway 2000]], [[Microsoft]], and [[Charles Schwab Corporation|Charles Schwab]].<ref name=NewYorkDaily/> Ziff Davis chairman and CEO Eric Hippeau cited the increasing presence of computers in cable television homes and workspaces as motivation for filling the niche of programming about computers, saying "This is a huge audience and it will only get bigger".<ref name=DesertSun/> Wangberg, who would be made the network's CEO, proclaimed Ziff Davis' ambition of ZDTV becoming "to computing what [[CNN]] is to news, what [[ESPN]] is to sports".<ref name=Customized/> Although Ziff Davis intended to continue producing ''The Site'' for MSNBC following ZDTV's launch,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/thousand-oaks-star-high-tech-news/144206675/ |title=High-tech news 24 hours a day |newspaper=Thousand Oaks Star |location=[[Thousand Oaks, California]] |date=May 12, 1997 |page=29}}</ref> the show was canceled in September 1997 as a result of the network's shift toward an all-news format.<ref name=WestCable/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-modesto-bee-the-site-canceled/144205498/ |title=Tech TV show canceled |newspaper=[[The Modesto Bee]] |location=[[Modesto, California]] |date=September 23, 1997 |page=18}}</ref> In December 1997, Ziff Davis revealed at the Western Cable Trade Show in [[Anaheim, California|Anaheim]] that it had secured agreements with four cable operators to carry the network: Prime Cable in Las Vegas, Harron Communications in Detroit, Televue in Georgia, and Prestige Cable in Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland.<ref name=WestCable/>

===ZDTV===

ZDTV launched on Monday May 11, 1998, on cable systems in Las Vegas, Detroit, parts of Georgia near Atlanta and parts of [[Maine]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/zdtv-launches-monday/|title=ZDTV launches Monday|first=Martha|last=Stone|website=ZDNet}}</ref> An early adopter of ZDTV was [[Charter Communications]] (also owned by Paul Allen at the time), which began carrying the channel in Newnan, Georgia in July 1998.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/zdtv-eyes-8m-mark-year-end-145310|title=ZDTV Eyes 8M Mark by Year-End|first=Linda|last=Moss|website=Multichannel}}</ref> On August 1, 1998, ZDTV was broadcast in its native San Francisco when the channel struck a deal with [[DirecTV]] to become available on Channel 273 via the providers' satellite dishes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Foreign-Temp-Workers-Run-Into-Jam-on-Road-to-3000022.php|title=Foreign 'Temp' Workers Run Into Jam on Road to Green Card / While ZDTV looks to attract viewers from Bay Area|first=Tom|last=Abate|date=August 1, 1998|website=SFGate}}</ref>

[[File:ZDTVlogo.svg|thumb|145px|ZDTV logo]]

ZDTV was initially set to launch at the end of 1998's first quarter, but was delayed by Ziff Davis' [[initial public offering]], which was announced on February 18.<ref name=Customized/> The network launched on Monday May 11, 1998, on cable systems in Las Vegas, Detroit, parts of Georgia near Atlanta and parts of [[Maine]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/zdtv-launches-monday/|title=ZDTV launches Monday|first=Martha|last=Stone|website=ZDNet}}</ref> An early adopter of ZDTV was [[Paul Allen]]'s [[Charter Communications]], which began carrying the channel in Newnan, Georgia in July 1998.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/zdtv-eyes-8m-mark-year-end-145310|title=ZDTV Eyes 8M Mark by Year-End|first=Linda|last=Moss|website=Multichannel}}</ref> On August 1, 1998, ZDTV was broadcast in its native San Francisco when the channel struck a deal with [[DirecTV]] to become available on Channel 273 via the providers' satellite dishes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Foreign-Temp-Workers-Run-Into-Jam-on-Road-to-3000022.php|title=Foreign 'Temp' Workers Run Into Jam on Road to Green Card / While ZDTV looks to attract viewers from Bay Area|first=Tom|last=Abate|date=August 1, 1998|website=SFGate}}</ref> In November 1998, Allen's holding company [[Vulcan Inc.|Vulcan Ventures]] invested $54 million in ZDTV, granting it a 33 percent stake in the network.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-vulcan-ventur/144311778/ |title=Vulcan Ventures invests in tech TV |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |location=[[San Francisco]], [[California]] |date=November 18, 1998 |page=23}}</ref>

Although ZDTV was critically acclaimed, it struggled to gain a foothold in [[AT&T Broadband|AT&T]]/[[Tele-Communications Inc.|TCI]] cable lineups,<ref name=Purchase2>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-allens-vc-fi/144314783/ |title=Paul Allen buys ZDTV in The City |last=Saracevic |first=Alan T. |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |location=[[San Francisco]], [[California]] |date=November 19, 1999 |page=26}}</ref> and was deemed unprofitable. In an effort to sell company assets to reduce debt and boost its share price,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-ziff-davis-to-sell/144317237/ |title=Ziff-Davis to Sell Stake in ZDTV |newspaper=[[The Los Angeles Times]] |location=[[Los Angeles]], [[California]] |date=November 20, 1999 |page=46}}</ref> Ziff Davis put ZDTV up for sale on July 16, 1999. In November 1999, Vulcan purchased the remaining two-thirds in a transaction that was completed on January 21, 2000. The deal (which permitted the network to retain its name) was worth $204.8 million.<ref name=Purchase2/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-allens-vc-fi/144314783/ |title=Allen's VC firm buys ZDTV in S.F. |last=Saracevic |first=Alan T. |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |location=[[San Francisco]], [[California]] |date=November 19, 1999 |page=25}}</ref> On August 21, 2000, ZDTV announced that it would be changing its name to TechTV the following month, and would simultaneously be added to AT&T and [[Time Warner Cable]]'s digital cable lineups.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-behold-digita/144320622/ |title=Behold: Digital cable's ZDTV rechristened techtv |last=Saracevic |first=Alan T. |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |location=[[San Francisco]], [[California]] |date=August 21, 2000 |page=17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-digital-cable/144320816/ |title=Digital cable's ZDTV rechristened techtv |last=Saracevic |first=Alan T. |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |location=[[San Francisco]], [[California]] |date=August 21, 2000 |page=22}}</ref>

Vulcan Ventures first invested in ZDTV, a network that supplemented content from Ziff-Davis' computer and technology based print publications (at the time including PC Magazine, MacWEEK, and eWEEK), in November 1998, acquiring a one-third interest from Ziff-Davis. In November 1999, Vulcan purchased the remaining two-thirds in a transaction that was completed on January 21, 2000. 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. However, a new name was already being worked on.

===TechTV===

On September 18, 2000, ZDTV was renamed TechTV, and a new on-air strategy was announced along with several new series including the music-technology series, ''AudioFile''. Soon, TechTV made a huge commitment to enter into live broadcasting when it launched a nine-hour experimental news program called ''TechLive'' in April 2001. The show, which catered to day traders and business types, never caught on with TechTV's 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.

Beginning March 15, 2001, TechTV experienced repeated layoffs.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com/2100-1023-254170.html |title=TechTV reorganizes, lays off employees |first=Gwendolyn |last=Mariano |publisher=[[News.com]] |date=March 15, 2001 |access-date=December 21, 2007}}</ref> In 2002, ''[[Silicon Spin]]'' (an opinion forum hosted by PC Magazine editor John C. Dvorak from the original ZDTV launched in May 1998) and ''AudioFile'' (a show for digital music enthusiasts launched in August 2000) were canceled, with its hosts being absorbed onto other network programs. 2003 saw the introduction of several new shows (such as ''Performance'', ''Robot Wars'', and ''Unscrewed with Martin Sargent'').

~~Beginning March 15, 2001, TechTV experienced repeated layoffs.<ref>{{cite news~~

~~|url=http://www.news.com/2100-1023-254170.html~~

~~|title=TechTV reorganizes, lays off employees~~

~~|first=Gwendolyn~~

~~|last=Mariano~~

~~|publisher=[[News.com]]~~

~~|date=March 15, 2001~~

|access-date=December 21, 2007}}</ref> In 2002, ''[[Silicon Spin]]'' (an opinion forum hosted by PC Magazine editor John C. Dvorak from the original ZDTV launched in May 1998) and ''AudioFile'' (a show for digital music enthusiasts launched in August 2000) were canceled, with its hosts being absorbed onto other network programs. 2003 saw the introduction of several new shows (such as ''Performance'', ''Robot Wars'', and ''Unscrewed with Martin Sargent'').

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.

TechTV was also broadcast over the air on KTQW in Wichita, Kansas until the TechTV name was dropped during the G4 merger.<ref name=KTQW>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ktqw.com/techtv.html |title=KTQW TechTV Website |access-date=November 10, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214161441/http://www.ktqw.com/techtv.html |archive-date=December 14, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Line 97 ⟶ 88:

In April 2012, Sessler was let go from G4.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/memories-of-my-16-year-career-in-video-games-1580581507|title=Memories Of My 16-Year Career In Video Games|first=Adam|last=Sessler|website=Kotaku|date=May 23, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/internet-killed-the-video-star-the-extraordinary-journ-5991439|title=Internet Killed The Video Star: The Extraordinary Journey Of Adam Sessler|website=Kotaku|date=March 20, 2013 }}</ref> A proper reason was not given, however there have been rumors of a contractual dispute.<ref>{{cite web|last=Schreir|first=Jason|title=Adam Sessler Out at G4|date=April 25, 2012 |url=http://kotaku.com/5905119/adam-sessler-out-at-g4|publisher=Kotaku}}</ref> Sessler was the last of the original hosts from the initial launch of ZDTV in 1998. When the network withdrew all their live programming in December 2012, Blair Butler and Webb were the only remaining TechTV personalities working at G4.

==~~Names~~Programs==

The following is a partial list of programs aired by TechTV.

Originally the channel was called '''ZDTV''' by its founder, [[Ziff Davis|Ziff-Davis]], when it debuted on May 11, 1998. It later was owned by [[Paul Allen]]'s [[Vulcan Inc.|Vulcan Ventures]]. Vulcan Ventures sold TechTV to [[G4 Media (TV company)|G4 Media]] (owned primarily by [[Comcast]]), which merged it with the video game channel G4 in May 2004 to form [[G4techTV]]. In February 2005, the name was changed back to G4, eliminating TechTV from the name completely.

===Original programming===

*''AudioFile'' – a weekly program focusing on technology's increasing role in the music industry.<ref name=TechTVTelevision1>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010602213949/http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |title=Television Shows |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=June 2, 2001 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*''[[Big Thinkers (TV series)|Big Thinkers]]'' – a weekly interactive program that conducts interviews with the technology industry's visionaries.<ref name=TechTVTelevision1/><ref name=ZDTVShows1>{{cite web |url=http://www5.zdnet.com/zdtv/zdtvguide/programdescriptions/story/0%2C3851%2C2123574%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990930205230/http://www5.zdnet.com/zdtv/zdtvguide/programdescriptions/story/0,3851,2123574,00.html |title=Program Descriptions |publisher=ZDTV |archive-date=September 30, 1999 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=ZDTVShows2>{{cite web |url=http://www3.zdnet.com/zdtv/zdtvguide/programdescriptions/story/0%2C3851%2C2123574%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000611015327/http://www3.zdnet.com:80/zdtv/zdtvguide/programdescriptions/story/0,3851,2123574,00.html |title=Program Descriptions |publisher=ZDTV |archive-date=June 11, 2000 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=TechTVShows2>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/chkpt/nav1171051401/http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031019154615/http://www.techtv.com/chkpt/nav1171051401/http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |title=TV Shows |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=October 19, 2003 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*''Call for Help'' – a prime-time interactive program in which viewers can call, email or netcam for assistance in solving computer problems.<ref name=TechTVTelevision1/><ref name=ZDTVShows1/><ref name=ZDTVShows2/><ref name=TechTVShows2/>

*''Computer Shopper'' – a weekly program that provides information about computer hardware and software products and how to buy them intelligently.<ref name=ZDTVShows1/>

*''CyberCrime'' – a weekly program that investigates dangers to computer users such as fraud, hacking, viruses, cybersex crimes, and invasions of privacy.<ref name=TechTVTelevision1/><ref name=ZDTVShows2/><ref name=TechTVShows2/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www3.zdnet.com/zdtv/zdtvguide/programdescriptions/story/0%2C3851%2C2123574%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000411132700/http://www3.zdnet.com:80/zdtv/zdtvguide/programdescriptions/story/0,3851,2123574,00.html |title=Program Descriptions |publisher=ZDTV |archive-date=April 11, 2000 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*''Digital Avenue'' – a prime-time program in which manufacturers present in-depth demonstrations of their latest products.<ref name=ZDTVShows1/>

*''Eye Drops'' – a weekly showcase of computer-animated shorts.<ref name=April2002>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020405135758/http://www.techtv.com:80/tvshows/ |title=TV Shows |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=April 5, 2002 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*''[[Fresh Gear]]'' – a weekly program that reviews technological gadgets.<ref name=TechTVTelevision1/><ref name=ZDTVShows1/><ref name=ZDTVShows2/><ref name=TechTVShows2/>

*''[[Internet Tonight]]'' – a prime-time program showcasing people and personalities who specialize in the Internet.<ref name=TechTVTelevision1/><ref name=ZDTVShows1/><ref name=ZDTVShows2/>

*''Invent This!'' – a weekly prime-time program showcasing inventors.<ref name=TechTVShows2/>

*''Microsoft Insider Live'' – a pair of special live events that aired on October 5 and November 2, 2002. Each event was an interactive broadcast that showcased five new products from Microsoft. The event offered product demos, giveaways and an insider look at Microsoft Research & Development.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/specialevent/story/0%2C23350%2C3397106%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021002103529/http://www.techtv.com/specialevent/story/0,23350,3397106,00.html |title=Welcome to ''Microsoft Insider Live'' |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=October 2, 2002 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*''The Money Machine'' – a daytime program that gives expert financial advice concerning computers and the Internet.<ref name=ZDTVShows1/><ref name=ZDTVShows2/>

*''Nerd Nation'' – a weekly prime-time program focused on nerd sub-cultures.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040214225558/http://www.techtv.com:80/tvshows/ |title=TV Shows |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=February 14, 2004 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*''Performance'' – a weekly program covering technology's role in the world of sports.<ref name=June2003>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030604195902/http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |title=TV Shows |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=June 4, 2003 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*''[[The Screen Savers]]'' – a prime-time program that covers the latest computing products and demonstrates their effective use at home and the workplace.<ref name=TechTVTelevision1/><ref name=ZDTVShows1/><ref name=ZDTVShows2/><ref name=TechTVShows2/>

*''Secret, Strange & True'' – a weekly program focusing on bio-technology.<ref name=October2002>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021015000001/http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |title=TV Shows |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=October 15, 2002 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*''Silicon Spin'' – an interactive prime-time program in which computing industry leaders discuss current technology events and features viewer commentary through email, chat, and videophone.<ref name=TechTVTelevision1/><ref name=ZDTVShows1/><ref name=ZDTVShows2/>

*''The Tech of:'' – a weekly prime-time program focusing on the workings of technology used in everyday life.<ref name=April2002/>

*''TechLive'' – formerly ZDTV News (1998–2000) and TechTV News (2000–2001); a bi-daily news program covering current events of the technology industry.<ref name=TechTVTelevision1/><ref name=ZDTVShows1/><ref name=ZDTVShows2/><ref name=TechTVShows2/>

*''The Technotainment Zone'' – a weekly morning program in which [[Best Buy]] customers discuss the convergence of the technology and entertainment industries and how Best Buy can help get them the most that both industries have to offer.<ref name=October2002/>

*''Titans of Tech'' – a weekly series of biographies profiling figures in the technology industry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010914224624/http://www.techtv.com:80/tvshows/ |title=Television Shows |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=September 14, 2001 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*''Unscrewed with Martin Sargent'' – a daily showcase of "the darker, funnier, sexier world of technology and the Internet".<ref name=June2003/>

*''Wired for Sex'' – a weekly prime-time program focusing on technology's role in human sexuality.<ref name=June2003/>

*''Working the Web'' – a weekly program that provides information, advice, and resources for entrepreneurs and emerging companies to set up businesses on the Internet.<ref name=ZDTVShows2/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zdnet.com/zdtv/zdtvguide/programdescriptions/story/0%2C3851%2C2123574%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000302153421/http://www.zdnet.com:80/zdtv/zdtvguide/programdescriptions/story/0,3851,2123574,00.html |title=Program Descriptions |publisher=ZDTV |archive-date=March 2, 2000 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*''[[X-Play]]'' – formerly ''GameSpot TV'' (1998–2001) and ''Extended Play'' (2001–2003); a weekly program that provides reviews, tips and tricks, and previews for contemporary video games.<ref name=TechTVTelevision1/><ref name=ZDTVShows1/><ref name=ZDTVShows2/><ref name=June2003/>

*''You Made It'' – a program that showcases homemade netcam videos.<ref name=ZDTVShows2/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www4.zdnet.com/zdtv/zdtvguide/programdescriptions/story/0%2C3851%2C2123574%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000503221504/http://www4.zdnet.com:80/zdtv/zdtvguide/programdescriptions/story/0,3851,2123574,00.html |title=Program Descriptions |publisher=ZDTV |archive-date=May 3, 2000 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*''Zip File'' – an abridged selection of ZDTV's other programs hosted by animated characters Dash and Tilde.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wired.com/1999/04/zdtv/ |title=You-Gotta-Be-Kidding TV |last=Brekke |first=Dan |website=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=April 1, 1999 |access-date=April 19, 2024}}</ref>

===Acquired programming===

*''Anime Unleashed'' – a programming block of science fiction [[anime]].<ref name=April2003>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030404051055/http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |title=TV Shows |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=April 4, 2003 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

**''[[Banner of the Stars]]''<ref name=AnimeSchedule2004>{{cite web |url=http://cgi.techtv.com/tvschedule?glance=1&day=0&show_id=62&timeZone=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040407140331/http://cgi.techtv.com:80/tvschedule?glance=1&day=0&show_id=62&timeZone=3 |title=TV Shows > Show Schedule |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=April 7, 2004 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

**''[[Betterman (TV series)|Betterman]]''<ref name=AnimeUnleashed1>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/animeunleashed/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021220040124/http://www.techtv.com/animeunleashed/ |title=Anime Unleashed |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=December 20, 2002 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

**''[[Boogiepop Phantom]]''<ref name=AnimeSchedule2003>{{cite web |url=http://cgi.techtv.com/tvschedule?glance=1&day=0&show_id=62&timeZone=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030810030316/http://cgi.techtv.com:80/tvschedule?glance=1&day=0&show_id=62&timeZone=3 |title=TV Shows > Show Schedule |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=August 10, 2003 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

**''[[Crest of the Stars]]''<ref name=AnimeUnleashed1/>

**''[[Dual! Parallel Trouble Adventure]]''<ref name=AnimeUnleashed1/>

**''[[Gate Keepers 21]]''<ref name=AnimeSchedule2003/>

**''[[Last Exile]]''<ref name=AnimeSchedule2004/>

**''[[Serial Experiments Lain]]''<ref name=AnimeUnleashed1/>

**''[[Silent Möbius]]''<ref name=AnimeUnleashed1/>

**''[[The SoulTaker]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cgi.techtv.com/tvschedule?glance=1&day=0&show_id=62&timeZone=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031228091308/http://cgi.techtv.com:80/tvschedule?glance=1&day=0&show_id=62&timeZone=3 |title=TV Shows > Show Schedule |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=December 28, 2003 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*''[[Beyond Tomorrow (TV series)|Beyond Tomorrow]]''<ref name=TechTVShows2/>

*''[[Body Hits]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040214225558/http://www.techtv.com:80/tvshows/ |title=TV Shows |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=February 14, 2004 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*''[[Conspiracies (TV series)|Conspiracies]]''<ref name=TechTVShows2/>

*''[[Future Fighting Machines]]''<ref name=June2002>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020603155610/http://www.techtv.com:80/tvshows/ |title=TV Shows |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=June 3, 2002 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*''[[Max Headroom (TV series)|Max Headroom]]''<ref name=June2002/>

*''[[Robot Wars (TV series)|Robot Wars]]''<ref name=June2003/>

*''Spy School''<ref name=June2003/>

*''[[Techno Games]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020802230020/http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |title=TV Shows |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=August 2, 2002 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

*''[[Thunderbirds (TV series)|Thunderbirds]]''<ref name=June2002/>

*''[[Tomorrow's World]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010929205539/http://www.techtv.com:80/tvshows/ |title=Television Shows |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=September 29, 2001 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Staff==

ZDTV's original executive lineup consisted primarily of television veterans; CEO Larry Wangberg was previously CEO of [[Times Mirror Company#Broadcasting|Times Mirror Cable Television]], senior vice president of programming Greg Drebin previously served the same position at [[MTV]], and news director Harry Fuller previously worked for [[KPIX-TV]] and [[KGO-TV]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-zdtv-cooking/144212860/ |title=ZDTV cooking up customized cable for computerniks |last=Armstrong |first=David |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |location=[[San Francisco]], [[California]] |date=March 29, 1998 |page=47}}</ref>

==Show personalities==

Line 110 ⟶ 155:

===Former personalities===

* Peter Barnes, Fox Business Network

* [[Erica Hill]], CNN journalist

* [[Leo Laporte]], host of ''~~Leo~~Call ~~Laporte~~for Help''s ~~This~~and ~~Week~~''The inScreen ~~Tech,~~Savers''; founder of TWiT~~.tv~~ Podcast network, former syndicated radio and TV host

* [[Kate Botello]], co-host of The Screen Savers and Extended Play; host for Interlochen Public Radio, actor, singer and playwright

* [[Kris Kosach]], Host Audiofile

* [[Jim Louderback]], co-host of ''Fresh Gear''; author, speaker, technology consultant, former CEO of Revision 3 and VidCon

* Scott Herriot, Anchor of Internet Tonight and Sasquatch Hunter

* [[Kris Kosach]], host ''Audiofile;'' former MTV2 VJ and show host for The Travel Channel

* [[Michaela Pereira]], anchor of [[KTTV]]'s "[[Good Day LA]]"

* Scott Herriot, co-anchor of ''Internet Tonight''; documentarian, Bigfoot enthusiast, and former stand-up comic

* Chris Pirillo, created own website

* [[Martin Sargent]], host of ''Unscrewed with Martin Sargent'' and contributor to ''The Screen Savers'' and ''Call for Help''

* [[Victoria Recaño]], formerly at [[KTLA]]

* [[Michaela Pereira]], co-anchor of Internet Tonight, former anchor on CNN, HLN, and [[KTTV]]'s "[[Good Day LA]]"

* Alison Strahan, Actor and reporter.

* [[Chris Pirillo]], former host of Call for Help; founder of LockerGnome, former CNN tech correspondent

* [[Becky Worley]], tech contributor for ABC's ''Good Morning America''

* [[Victoria Recaño]], anchor Tech TV News; former co-anchor at [[KTLA]]-TV, correspondent for [[Entertainment Tonight]] and [[The Insider (TV program)|The Insider]]

* Liam Mayclem, Formerly Correspondent Internet Tonight Host Audiofile NOW KCBS FOODIE CHAP ''KCBS RADIO''

* [[John C. Dvorak]], host of ''Silicon Spin''; author, speaker, and broadcaster on technology

* Alison Strahan, contributor on ''Call for Help''; former actor and reporter.

* Sumi Das, co-host of ''Fresh Gear''; tech journalist for CNN, BBC, and CBS

* [[Becky Worley]], producer and contributor on ''Call for Help''; tech contributor for ABC's ''Good Morning America''

* Liam Mayclem, co-host ''Audiofile'' and contributor for ''Internet Tonight''; food and lifestyle host for KPIX-TV and KCBS radio

* [[Carmine Gallo]], co-host ''The Money Machine''; author, speaker, consultant, and communications coach

* Pam Krueger, co-host ''The Money Machine''; author, creator and host for ''Money Track on PBS''

* Peter Barnes, bureau chief for ''TechLive''; former reporter at Fox Business Network

*Tammy Cavadias, Community Production Manager

===Virtual characters===

Many of the founding staff of ZDTV had previously worked on [[MSNBC]]'s ''[[The Site]]'', which featured [[Dev Null]], a virtual animated character voiced by Leo Laporte who interacted with host [[Soledad O'Brien]]. Improving on the technology used for Dev Null, ZDTV created two animated virtual characters who appeared as hosts for the network. Dash (voiced first by Paul McKinney and later by Patrick Flick and Chris Manners, with body performance by Jessa Brie Moreno and Slater Penney) and Tilde (voiced by Kate Botello and later by Laura LeBleu, with body performance by Jessa Brie Moreno and Slater Penney, in some support chat appearances Tilde was played by Theresa Quinn, Asst Production Manager) appeared in on-air and online promos for the network. Dash also appeared as a virtual correspondent on the show ''Internet Tonight'' in a segment called "The Homepage Hall of Fame" and briefly as the host of "Dash's Animation House."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Spencer+F.+Katt+to+Report+for+ZDTV.-a055098838 |title=Spencer F. Katt to Report for ZDTV. - Free Online Library |website=www.thefreelibrary.com |access-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012054154/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Spencer+F.+Katt+to+Report+for+ZDTV.-a055098838 |archive-date=October 12, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

~~==Programs==~~

~~This is a list of programs broadcast by TechTV:~~

~~{{div col|colwidth=22em}}~~

*''[[Call for Help]]'' (1998-2004)

*''[[Computer Shopper (TV series)|Computer Shopper]]'' (1998-2000)

*''[[CyberCrime (TV series)|CyberCrime]]'' (1998-2004)

*''[[Digital Avenue]]'' (1998-2000)

*''[[Fresh Gear]]'' (1998-2004)

*''[[Internet Tonight]]'' (1998-2001)

*''[[The Money Machine]]'' (1998-2001)

*''[[The Screen Savers]]'' (1998-2004)

*''[[Silicon Spin]]'' (1998-2001)

*''[[TechLive]]'' (formerly ZDTV News (1998–2000) and TechTV News (2000–2001)) (2001-2004)

*''[[X-Play]]'' (formerly ''GameSpot TV'' (1998–2001) and ''Extended Play'' (2001–2003)) (2003-2004)

*''[[Zip File]]'' (1998-2001)

*''[[Big Thinkers (TV series)|Big Thinkers]]'' (1999-2002)

*''[[AudioFile (TV series)|AudioFile]]'' (2000-2002)

*''[[Dash's Animation House]]'' (2000-2001)

*''[[Working the Web]]'' (2000-2001)

*''[[You Made It]]'' (2000-2001)

*''[[Titans of Tech]]'' (2001)

*''[[Tomorrow's World]]'' (2001-2002)

*''[[Anime Unleashed]]'' (2002-2004)

*''[[Eye Drops]]'' (2002)

*''[[Future Fighting Machines]]'' (2002-2004)

*''[[Max Headroom (TV series)|Max Headroom]]'' (2002-2003)

*''[[Secret, Strange & True]]'' (2002-2003)

*''[[The Tech of]]'' (2002-2004)

*''[[Techno Games]]'' (2002-2004)

*''[[Thunderbirds (TV series)|Thunderbirds]]'' (2002-2004)

*''[[Beyond Tomorrow (TV series)|Beyond Tomorrow]]'' (2003-2004)

*''[[Body Hits]]'' (2003)

*''[[Conspiracies]]'' (2003)

*''[[Invent This!]]'' (2003)

*''[[Performance (TV series)|Performance]]'' (2003-2004)

*''[[Robot Wars (TV series)|Robot Wars]]'' (2003-2004)

*''[[Spy School (TV series)|Spy School]]'' (2003-2004)

*''[[Unscrewed with Martin Sargent]]'' (2003-2004)

*''[[Wired For Sex]]'' (2003-2004)

*''[[Nerd Nation]]'' (2004)

*''[[Living with the Future]]'' (international)

*''[[Music Wars]]''

*''[[Page View]]''

*''[[Plastic Surgery (TV series)|Plastic Surgery]]'' (international)

*''[[Strange Science]]'' (international)

~~{{div col end}}~~

==Reunion==