Tandom
04-20-06, 04:47 PM
Linkage (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117941685?cs=1&s=h&p=0)
Cabler G4 invites new hosts
By DENISE MARTIN
Comcast's G4, a cable network aimed at young men, has hired Howard SternHoward Stern's longtime girlfriend, actress Beth Ostrosky, to host irreverent countdown series "Filter" and recruited Fox Sports correspondent Olivia Munn to co-host pop culture news show "Attack of the Show."
Hires are part of the channel's evolution away from videogames into broader-based fare for guys.
G4 president Neal Tiles also has named Laurie Finn to head up talent, which Tiles said will become increasingly important to the network.
"As we move forward, part of our appeal to young guys will be our live-event programming, in addition to our studio-based shows," Tiles said. "Laurie will help bring us big names as we establish ourselves in the space" through coverage of events like E3 and Comic-Con.
Tiles previously worked with Finn when he was exec VP of marketing at DirecTV and Finn produced a news show for the satcaster.
One of Finn's priorities will be to scout people to profile when "Icons" relaunches this summer. The "Biography"-style skeinskein has been revamped to focus on figures that appeal to young men, including J.J. Abrams and Bryan SingerBryan Singer. She'll also continue to strengthen the lineup of guests visiting G4's live, studio-based series.
In addition, both "Filter" and "Attack of the Show" will be relaunched in June with a scaled-back focus on technology. Heavier emphasis will be on attitude, humor and a broader range of male-oriented topics.
Finn will report to senior VP of production John Reiber, who was brought in earlier this year to run programming under Tiles (Daily Variety, Jan. 19).
Cabler G4 invites new hosts
By DENISE MARTIN
Comcast's G4, a cable network aimed at young men, has hired Howard SternHoward Stern's longtime girlfriend, actress Beth Ostrosky, to host irreverent countdown series "Filter" and recruited Fox Sports correspondent Olivia Munn to co-host pop culture news show "Attack of the Show."
Hires are part of the channel's evolution away from videogames into broader-based fare for guys.
G4 president Neal Tiles also has named Laurie Finn to head up talent, which Tiles said will become increasingly important to the network.
"As we move forward, part of our appeal to young guys will be our live-event programming, in addition to our studio-based shows," Tiles said. "Laurie will help bring us big names as we establish ourselves in the space" through coverage of events like E3 and Comic-Con.
Tiles previously worked with Finn when he was exec VP of marketing at DirecTV and Finn produced a news show for the satcaster.
One of Finn's priorities will be to scout people to profile when "Icons" relaunches this summer. The "Biography"-style skeinskein has been revamped to focus on figures that appeal to young men, including J.J. Abrams and Bryan SingerBryan Singer. She'll also continue to strengthen the lineup of guests visiting G4's live, studio-based series.
In addition, both "Filter" and "Attack of the Show" will be relaunched in June with a scaled-back focus on technology. Heavier emphasis will be on attitude, humor and a broader range of male-oriented topics.
Finn will report to senior VP of production John Reiber, who was brought in earlier this year to run programming under Tiles (Daily Variety, Jan. 19).