Editing TechTV (section)

===TechTV===
On August 21, 2000, ZDTV's name was changed to TechTV, and Wangberg announced that the network would be added to AT&T and [[Time Warner Cable]]'s digital cable lineups the following month.<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]]|date=August 21, 2000 |pages=B-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-digital-cable/144320816/ B-6]}}</ref> In November, TechTV announced the live programming block ''TechLive'', which would premiere on April 2, 2001. Originally scheduled at six hours (five of which would be live), the block's length was finalized at 9.5 hours, and the network described the block as the "nucleus of TechTV's daytime programming". For this venture, the network established a fully digital broadcast center in San Francisco as well as bureaus in [[New York City]], [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Silicon Valley]], and [[Seattle]]. The block also included a [[News ticker|ticker]] which listed the status of leading tech stocks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/techtv-lineup-go-live-133636 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923204214/https://www.nexttv.com/news/techtv-lineup-go-live-133636 |title=TechTV Lineup to Go Live |last=Moss |first=Linda |website=[[Multichannel News]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=December 3, 2000 |archive-date=September 23, 2021 |access-date=March 18, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/aboutus/pressreleases/story/0%2C23350%2C3329873%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010710034455/http://www.techtv.com/aboutus/pressreleases/story/0,23350,3329873,00.html |title=TechTV Significantly Increases Its Commitment to Live Programming |publisher=TechTV |date=March 27, 2001 |archive-date=July 10, 2001 |access-date=December 13, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On February 17, 2001, ''GameSpot TV'' was retitled ''Extended Play'' and became part of TechTV's live broadcasting endeavor, which resulted in a high employee turnover rate.<ref name=interviewKotaku/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/story/0,23008,3311437,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010816003148/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/story/0%2C23008%2C3311437%2C00.html |title=TechTV &#124; ''Extended Play'' Is Born |last=Weigel |first=Ray |publisher=TechTV |date=February 13, 2001 |archive-date=August 16, 2001 |access-date=April 22, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/story/0,23008,3312380,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010610160402/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/story/0,23008,3312380,00.html |title=TechTV - The Add On Pack - 02/17/01 - Game Engines A Go Go |last=Weigel |first=Ray |publisher=TechTV |date=February 18, 2001 |archive-date=June 10, 2001 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On March 15, TechTV announced that it had laid off approximately a dozen employees as part of a reorganization effort in the face of the waning [[dot-com bubble]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-5148262.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010406002845/https://www.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-5148262.html |title=TechTV reorganizes, lays off employees |first=Gwendolyn |last=Mariano |website=[[CNET News]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=March 15, 2001 |archive-date=April 6, 2001 |access-date=December 21, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On November 16, TechTV announced another layoff of 130 employees. This, combined with the reduction of ''TechLive'' and indifferent online reactions to TechTV's struggles, were interpreted by Farhad Manjoo of ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' as a sign of declining cultural interest in technology. Anonymous TechTV employees remarked that the increasingly ubiquitous nature of the Internet had rendered the network's mission statement "a bit fantastical" and suggested that the only reason the network was still in business was because "Allen doesn't know what to do with his billions".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wired.com/news/business/0%2C1367%2C48475%2C00.html?tw=wn_story_related |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031206185354/http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,48475,00.html?tw=wn_story_related |title=Tech TV Cancels 130 Employees |first=Farhad |last=Manjoo |website=[[Wired News]] |publisher=[[Lycos]] |date=November 16, 2001 |archive-date=December 6, 2003 |access-date=December 14, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

During this time, TechTV expanded internationally. On September 7, 2001, [[G4 (Canadian TV channel)|TechTV Canada]] began broadcasting as one of 16 new English-language digital cable channels approved by the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] (CRTC); it was owned by TechTV as well as Canadian companies [[Rogers Sports & Media|Rogers Broadcasting]] and [[Shaw Media|Shaw Communications]].<ref name="Nati010825">{{Unbulleted list citebundle|{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/national-post-digital-dilemma/168617208/|date=August 25, 2001|pages=W1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/national-post-the-sooner-you-get-the-box/168617236/ W4]|first=Christopher|last=Loudon|title=Digital dilemma|newspaper=[[National Post]]|location=Toronto, Ontario, Canada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 23, 2025}}|{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/national-post-digital-channel-guide/168617148/|date=August 25, 2001|pages=W10, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/national-post-digital-channel-guide/168617181/ W11]|title=Digital channel guide|newspaper=National Post|location=Toronto, Ontario, Canada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 23, 2025}} }}</ref><!-- Sat --> By 2002, it had 467,000 subscribers.<ref name="Nati030527">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/national-post-techtv-canada-forbidden-to/168617451/|date=May 27, 2003|page=FP8|first=Barbara|last=Shecter|title=TechTV Canada forbidden to show dramas, comedies: CRTC disallows bid to broaden appeal, advertising base|newspaper=National Post|location=Toronto, Ontario, Canada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 23, 2025}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

Wangberg announced on January 24, 2002, that he would spend the following months searching for a successor in his chairman and CEO position, though at Allen's request he planned to remain on the network's board of directors as well as take a position on [[Charter Communications]]'s board.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/wangberg-steps-down-techtv-138684 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129164733/https://www.nexttv.com/news/wangberg-steps-down-techtv-138684 |title=Wangberg Steps Down at TechTV |last=Applebaum |first=Simon |website=[[Multichannel News]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=January 24, 2002 |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |access-date=March 18, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> On March 19, TechTV announced its intent to shift focus from tech news and information to consumer-oriented fare. In pursuit of this, the network cancelled ''Silicon Spin'' as well as the digital music program ''AudioFile''; according to senior vice president Greg Drebin, the former series in particular "was targeted a little more to the industry than our viewers accepted".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/techtv-shifts-programming-focus/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814050011/https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/techtv-shifts-programming-focus/ |title=TechTV shifts programming focus |last=Festa |first=Paul |website=[[CNET]] |publisher=[[Red Ventures]] |date=March 19, 2002 |archive-date=August 14, 2023 |access-date=March 21, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> On April 24, ''TechLive'' was cut further to a thirty-minute daily news magazine show with a stronger focus on technology's cultural aspect, resulting in 50 more employees being dismissed. The airtime previously occupied by the now-diminished ''TechLive'' was filled by acquired programs that reflected the network's new focus, including ''[[Max Headroom (TV series)|Max Headroom]]'', ''[[Techno Games]]'', ''[[Future Fighting Machines]]'', and ''[[Thunderbirds (TV series)|Thunderbirds]]''. The network also acquired the rights for the films ''[[Coma (1978 film)|Coma]]'' (1978), ''[[Demon Seed]]'' (1977), and ''[[Forbidden Planet]]'' (1956).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://wired.com/news/business/0%2C1367%2C52076%2C00.html?tw=wn_story_related |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040801025230/http://wired.com/news/business/0,1367,52076,00.html?tw=wn_story_related |title=Tech TV Cancels 50 More Employees |first=Farhad |last=Manjoo |website=[[Wired News]] |publisher=[[Lycos]] |date=April 24, 2002 |archive-date=August 1, 2004 |access-date=December 15, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref> By October, the network was affiliated with [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]]-based [[Low-power broadcasting#Television|low-power]] television station [[KAGW-CD|KTQW]], its content occupying the [[prime time]], [[Late-night television|late-night]], and [[graveyard slot]]s.<ref name="Wich021015">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-low-power-ktqw-wins-fo/168131699/|date=October 15, 2002|page=4C|first=Bob|last=Curtright|title=Low-power KTQW wins four awards|newspaper=[[The Wichita Eagle]]|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 16, 2025}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The [[anime]] programming block Anime Unleashed premiered on December 30 with the debut of ''[[Crest of the Stars]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.awn.com/index.php3?ltype=top&newsitem_no=7901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030320171650/http://news.awn.com/index.php3?ltype=top&newsitem_no=7901 |title=TechTV Announces Anime Unleashed |website=[[Animation World Network]] |date=January 6, 2003 |archive-date=March 20, 2003 |access-date=March 18, 2025 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The network continued expanding into lifestyle programming through 2003.<ref name=Transforms>{{cite web |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/techtv-transforms-itself-97759 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507063011/https://www.nexttv.com/news/techtv-transforms-itself-97759 |title=TechTV Transforms Itself |last=Romano |first=Allison |website=[[Broadcasting & Cable]] |publisher=[[Future US]] |date=February 9, 2003 |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |access-date=March 20, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> On January 6, senior vice president of programming Greg Brannan announced the upcoming series ''Wired for Sex'' as well as the acquisition of the [[Bravo (British TV channel)|Bravo]] series ''Spy School''.<ref name=Brannan>{{cite web |url=https://www.c21media.net/news/brannan-unveils-entertainment-focus-for-techtv/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250408132112/https://www.c21media.net/news/brannan-unveils-entertainment-focus-for-techtv/ |title=Brannan unveils entertainment focus for TechTV |last=Fraser |first=Fiona |publisher=C21Media |date=January 7, 2003 |archive-date=April 8, 2025 |access-date=March 18, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/techtv-sex-espionage-and-animation-162989 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929083748/https://www.nexttv.com/news/techtv-sex-espionage-and-animation-162989 |title=TechTV: Sex, Espionage and Animation |last=Umstead |first=R. Thomas |website=[[Multichannel News]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=January 7, 2003 |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |access-date=March 18, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> Both series would premiere in primetime on the week of April 28.<ref name=Spices>{{cite web |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/techtv-spices-late-night-142996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227160614/https://www.nexttv.com/news/techtv-spices-late-night-142996 |title=TechTV Spices Up Late-Night |last=Moss |first=Linda |website=[[Multichannel News]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=March 3, 2003 |archive-date=February 27, 2021 |access-date=March 18, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> Allison Romano of ''[[Broadcasting & Cable]]'' reported in February that the network's ratings had hovered at 0.1 despite a reach of 40 million homes; TechTV head of marketing Gaynor Strachan Chun added that the network's independent status impeded its ability to cross-promote across any [[Sister station|sister or cousin network]].<ref name=Transforms/>

On March 3, Brannan announced the upcoming launch of a late-night programming block on April 28. The block would air Monday through Thursday and lead off with the acquired British series ''[[Robot Wars (TV series)|Robot Wars]]''.<ref name=Spices/> The revamped ''Extended Play'', now named ''[[Xplay|X-Play]]'', was moved to this block and became a ratings success.<ref name=interviewKotaku/><ref name=Spices/> Anime Unleashed, already a late-night fixture, aired on the block's tail end.<ref name=Spices/> On May 26, the [[late-night talk show]] ''Unscrewed with Martin Sargent'' premiered on the block.<ref name=Spices/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/story/0%2C23350%2C3418934%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030810201044/http://www.techtv.com/tvshows/story/0,23350,3418934,00.html |title=''Unscrewed With Martin Sargent'' |publisher=TechTV |archive-date=August 10, 2003 |access-date=March 18, 2025 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Similar changes were blocked in Canada by the CRTC, which denied approval to let TechTV Canada show dramas or comedies.{{r|Nati030527}}