Ginx TV

British gaming television channel

GINX TV Ltd, doing business as GINX.TV, is a United Kingdom–based media group founded in 2007 dedicated to coverage of video games-related content.

In addition to its television channel, which first launched in 2008, GINX TV produces and distributes content through its website and other platforms.

History

Formation and launch

Ginx was founded in 2007 by Alistair Gosling (founder of the Extreme Sports Channel), Udi Shapira, and Cosmo Spens.^[2][3] The Ginx TV television channel would launch in August 2008 on Romania's Boom TV satellite television platform.^[4]

As of December 2012^[update], Ginx TV operates in Southeast Asia, East Africa and Europe.^[5] Ginx TV is represented by the Dori Media Group in Indonesia and Turkey.^[6][7] A high-definition simulcast of the channel, called Ginx HD, was temporarily available on Hispasat 1E during 2011.^[8] On 30 July 2012, the channel became available in HD again on StarHub TV in Singapore.^[9]

In August 2010, Ginx TV announced plans to launch in the UK and Ireland,^[10] where the channel expected a potential audience of over 12 million viewers through Sky and Virgin Media.^[11] In October 2010, Red Bee Media was appointed to create a new identity and on-screen presentation for the channel.^[12]

The British launch was announced to be delayed in March 2011.^[2] Ginx would ultimately launch on Virgin Media on 9 July 2013.^[13] A video on demand service was also available in the UK on BT Vision from 26 May 2011.^[14]

Ginx programming has also been distributed to third-party broadcasters such as TVNZ U in New Zealand,^[15] Zee Trendz in India,^[16] OSN in the Middle East and North Africa^[17] and EGO in Israel.^[18]

On 12 December 2011, Ginx TV agreed to license some of its content to the American video gaming website The Escapist.^[19]

In April 2015, Ginx formed a temporary partnership with DStv to launch the first Esports channel in South Africa. The brand returned in 2017 through a partnership with SuperSport and DStv which would give it a dedicated channel.^[20][21] The channel was closed by 31 March 2024 with further content on Ginx+.^[22]

Shift to Esports

In June 2016, it was announced that, with the partnership of Sky and ITV, Ginx TV was to be relaunched as GINX Esports TV, shifting its focus to covering esports. With the changeover, the channel relaunched on 24 June 2016 on Sky, in addition to it already being available to watch on Virgin Media.^[23]

On 15 February 2017, it was announced that the Canadian premium service Super Channel would launch a domestic version of Ginx as a replacement for one of its multiplex channels.^[24] Replacing Super Channel 4, GINX Esports TV Canada launched on 4 May 2017 with a live edition of The Bridge.^[25]

GINX Esports TV was launched in Israel in 2017 through a partnership with Partner's 4GTV app.^[26]

In October 2017, Ginx announced a partnership with Telekom Austria Group to make the channel available across Europe on Eutelsat 16A.^[27]

In October 2018, Ginx announced it had terminated its contract with Virgin Media.^[28]

In January 2022, GINX Esports TV began broadcasting its programming on Twitch.^{[citation needed]}

On 24 June 2023 it was announced that the UK version of the channel would cease satellite broadcast on 29 June 2023, and continue on Sky Glass and Sky Stream.^[29]

On 17 July 2024 the channel launched as an IPTV service on Freeview on channel 296. ^[30]

GINX.TV programming

The company has produced several esports and gaming-related programmes for its television channel, website, and digital outlets through its production arm, GINX Studios. Ginx has also produced programming and content for third-party publishers, media organizations, brands and esports organizations.^{[citation needed]}

Current programming

• The First Hour – Shows the latest big release or revisited a modern classic by playing through the first 60 minutes. Reintroduced in 2017. Presented by Adam Savage (2013–present), Neil Cole (2014), Simon Longden (2013–2014), Lucy James (2013–2014) and Anthony Richardson (2014–present).
• Origins – A look back at the origins of some of your favourite Esports titles.
• Shut Up & Play (ex. GINX Plays) – The cast and crew of Ginx Esports TV plays some of their favourite titles in this stream-on-TV format.
• Top 10 – Countdown of the Top 10 characters, games of a certain genre, etc. Presented by Adam Savage (2017–present).
• GINX News – A daily gaming news show, presented by Ash Dixon.
• GINX Docs – Documentary style content covering an array of video game related topics, including the history of a game or the current state of a video game at present.

Former programming

• Ant & Sav vs The World – RL to FIFA or Street Fighter V, Ant and Save invite their viewers to join them in an exclusive competition.
• Connector – The CS:GO Podcast – James Banks's interview podcast sees top CS:GO personalities give insights into the esports scene.
• That "Gaming" Show – covering all the latest stories from gaming, Esports and entertainment. Hosted by Stumpie and Cole.
• Crossfeed – a series for the best influencer and streamer world from this week and last.
• Social Gaming and Coconuts – giving you behind the scenes access to the world of social and causal gaming.
• Action Figures Adventure Series – follow collector Jay Bartlett across North America as he hopes to build the ultimate action figure auction in the name of charity.
• Game Set To Music – stunning graphics and massive tunes combined.
• Daily Download – From the latest mercato news to the most recent merchandise launch, a light-hearted look at what's happening in the world of Esports and gaming with Emile Cole and Alex Knight.
• 101 – Learn the ins and outs of a number of popular Esports titles in order to go from being a newbie to a pro.
• This Week in Esports – A look back at the last seven days in Esports, hosted by former pro and Esports commentator F-Word.
• Fight Card – showcasing games involving community members.
• SQUAD – covers everything gaming and internet culture.
• HUD – Heads Up Daily TV. The premiere and only Esports TV show in Canada.
• The Bridge – Late night, cross game, eSports live entertainment talk show. Hosted by Frank Soldato.
• Games Games Games – Previews and reviews of games that are both child and family friendly.
• The Ginx Vault – A look at retro games.
• The Blurb – The channel's flagship show which compiled the latest in gaming news, reviews and previews.^[31] Presented by Julia Hardy (2011–2012), Anthony Richardson (2012), Lizzie Huang (2013), and Lucy James (2013–2014). The show was replaced by The Essentials in September 2014.
• Culture Shock – Series dedicated to the culture surrounding video gaming including film, music and comic books.
• Faster – Games that focused on racing with a particular focus on motorsport. Presented by Neil Cole (2011–2014).
• Games Room – Esports and streaming personalities face various games challenges that test their skill and reactions across a number of competitive titles, before being allowed to leave.
• GameFace – Started broadcasting in 2009 on Bravo,^[32] before being replaced by The Blurb in 2011 on Challenge.^[33]
• Ginx Files – GameFace's sister show.
• Ginx Live – A live show fronted by Adam Savage with special guests, gameplay coverage and giveaways every week on Virgin Media, Twitch and later on YouTube. The news was presented by Chris Bond and Lydia Ellery while Chris Slight and Haplo Shaffer talked to the public and communicated their views.
• Get Fragged – Followed the genre of first-person shooters.
• The Ginx Masterchart – A weekly top ten of chart games, counting down the biggest sellers of that week.
• The Ginx Top 40/10 Chart – A countdown of the biggest games of the week.
• Ginx News – A daily update of news within the gaming world. Presented by Lucy James (2013–2014).
• Most Wanted – Interviews and previews.
• Rumble Pack – A series of top ten countdowns that compared characters, genres and specific games.
• Gamesport – Provided reviews and commentary on games within the sports genre. Presented by Anthony Richardson (2010–2014).
• Planet of the Apps – Previews, reviews and recommendations of mobile apps, games and gadgets. Presented by Adam Savage (2011–2015), Lucy Hedges (2014–2015) and David McClelland (2014–2015).
• Videogame Nation – Only airing on Challenge in the UK, but on Ginx TV in other countries, each episode focused on one game, series or developer, with discussion of related titles and gaming history. In August 2014, the show was revamped with new hosts and a new format following criticism of the original version. Variously hosted by Tom Deacon (2014), Emily Hartridge (2014), Nathan Caton (2014), Aoife Wilson (2014–2016), Dan Maher (2014–2016) and John Robertson (2014–2016) with additional insight from 'talking heads' such as Steve McNeil and Chris Slight in the show's current format.
• Minecraft: Digging Deeper – Teaches the basics of Minecraft and also more "advanced" and lesser-known Minecraft features with gameplay and narration. Explains from how to survive the first night all the way to how to dye wool, how to build a good home, how to use redstone well, etc.
• Console Yourself – A show in which stand-up comedians confessed their videogame loves, hates, and guilty secrets. Presented by Neil Cole (2014–present).
• Games Evolved – Tracked the history of a particular game or genre and comments on how different themes or ideas have been treated by different companies, series or decades.
• Ginx Playlist – A look at recommended games.
• The Quest – Focused on the genre of role-playing video games.
• Under The Radar – A show introduced in June 2015 which focused on brand new and classic indie games, DLC and other games which may have gone under the radar.
• IRL – Docu-reality series centered on the daily life of some the most notorious UK eSports personalities, presented by Charleyy.
• GGM (Good Games Monthly) – A monthly magazine show counting covering the world of Esports and casual gaming.
• The Dojo – A deep dive into the world of the FGC (Fighting Game Community) led by Fighting Game players/casters Damascus and Tyrant.
• LetsPlay Live – sees players from different teams compete to gain points to qualify into the OCE championship later in the year.

References

1. SSN HQ (10 October 2016). "Sky and ITV combine to launch GINX TV - UK's first 24-hour eSports channel". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
2. "Ginx finds Adriatic home, delays UK debut". C21Media. 21 March 2011.
3. "Ginx TV Gets In The Game". Television Business International. Yudu Media. April 2011.
4. "Prima televiziune de jocuri a luat startul în România" (in Romanian). Cotidianul. 1 September 2008. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011.
5. "International". Ginx TV. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
6. "Dori adapts Ginx for Indonesia". C21Media. 7 August 2008.
7. "Ginx launches in Turkey". C21Media. 25 February 2010.
8. "Ginx HD arrives in Spain". Rapid TV News. 25 April 2011.
9. "StarHub launches travel and video gaming channels". Singapore Business Review. 25 July 2012.
10. "UK's first 24/7 game channel announced". Eurogamer. 26 August 2010.
11. "UK games channel targets 12m viewers". Market for Home Computing and Video Games. 23 February 2011.
12. "Red Bee Media to create multi-platform identity for gaming channel Ginx TV". Red Bee Media. 13 October 2010. Archived from the original on 20 November 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
13. "New channels on your Virgin TV!". Virgin Media Presents. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
14. "Ginx On Demand launches on BT Vision". Broadband TV News. 25 May 2011.
15. "The Ginx Files- Are you ready to play?". TVNZ U. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
16. "Ginx TV to launch block on Zee Trendz". Digital TV Europe. 26 January 2011.
17. "Ginx TV widens reach". Broadband TV News. 5 February 2013.
18. "Ginx announce a distribution deal signed with channel Ego in Israel". Ginx TV. 1 December 2009. Archived from the original on 20 June 2013.
19. "Big Important Announcement Special". Ginx TV. YouTube. 7 December 2011.
20. "GINX Esports TV Continues esports TV expansion, Launches Channel in South Africa – The Esports Observer". The Esports Observer. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
21. "DStv Now app gets three new channels – TechCentral". techcentral.co.za. 2 March 2015. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
22. "Watching GINX TV in Africa". GINX TV. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
23. "Sky and ITV partner with Ginx to launch UK eSports channel". 16 June 2016.
24. "First 24-hour eSports Channel to Launch in Canada". Canada NewsWire. 18 June 2009.
25. Super Channel kicks off esports net, 5 May 2017
26. Cooke, Sam (15 February 2017). "GINX Esports TV enters Israel". Esports Insider. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
27. Ring, Oliver (20 October 2017). "Ginx Esports TV and Telekom Austria sign deal". Esports Insider. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
28. "GINX Esports TV terminates contract with Virgin Media | GINX Esports TV". GINX Esports TV. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
29. "Sky satellite viewers to lose four channels this fortnight". RXTV info. 24 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
30. "Latest Channel updates on Freeview". 17 July 2024.
31. "The Blurb". Ginx TV. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
32. "Ex-MTV boss targets games TV". Market for Home Computing and Video Games. 7 August 2009.
33. "The Blurb Replaces GameFace on Challenge". Ginx TV. 12 July 2011.

External links

• Official website