Games Toaster

Channel 6 & Game On now on Sky

Sky satellite subscribers will now have access to Ireland’s only TV computer games program ‘Game On’ as the channel it broadcasts on, Channel 6, was made available on Sky channel 223 this week.

Game On is a half-hour long program with reviews and news. Previously, Channel 6 was viewable on NTL and Chorus cable networks in urban areas.

The channel was first set to launch on both Sky and the cable networks. But it is understood that the company pulled out of the original talks with Sky because the satellite broadcaster would not offer Channel 6 a prominent position on the program guide close to RTE and TV3. The new deal does not offer such.

Game On responds to "30 minute ad” claims

“This show is for nobody else but the viewer and we want to ensure that we are meeting those needs”.

A producer for the Channel 6 games show, Game On,  has replied to criticism levelled at the show by gamers on boards.ie.

In response to criticism that ‘Game On’ was a "30 minute ad" for Microsoft, Michael Brennan, Producer, Intermission Studio told Games Toaster that “The Programme is not funded by Microsoft or any other 3rd party in any way. Game On is 100% funded by Channel 6”

Brennan said that they rely on Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, EA Games and other publishers for video content, but he said “Game On is completely independent from the console makers as this keeps the game reviews and features un-biased and credible”.

Expanding on the extensive Xbox 360 coverage he said, “Microsoft did feature primarily in the 1st programme as they had (in our opinion) the most relevant releases/news which we feel the viewers wanted to see. All other consoles, games etc will be covered in the show between now and Christmas”.

“We have had News sections on the Wii, Modding, and the web. As for the PS2 we have shown in game footage reviews of Pro Evo 6, Canis Canem Edit and Battlefield 2142 on the PC”.

With PSP, Brennan stated that they will be “there are no New Major PSP Titles on release at moment apart from GTA Vice city stories, and Killzone liberation”, adding that, along with DS titles, these PSP games will be reviewed “over the coming weeks up to Christmas”.

When asked how does the Microsoft’s involvement compared to other publishers, he said “Microsoft have been very accomodating to the show at launch, as have Sony and Nintendo. All the developers and publishers have also been very helpful and as at the moment Microsoft have the big titles releases for Christmas so they are able to provide more content to us. As we get material we assess how releavant it is to the weeks show and then include it”.

Channel 6 show “30 minute ad” says gamers

Channel 6's ‘Game On’ computer games show has been slated as an advertisement for the Xbox 360 by users on Ireland’s largest games community.

Just weeks after the show first aired, gamers writing on the games section of boards.ie have called “30 minute ad” and a “Microsoft advertisement”.

“Is the show part funded by Microsoft?” asked the upfront ‘Stoichkov’, “An extreme lack of Nintendo (bar the nes) and Sony and judging by next weeks preview it'll be 360 heavy again”.

Some were more reserved, “Oh, and more Nintendo/Sony please. If that's possible...” said user ‘K.O.Kiki’. Others like ‘brim4brim’ gave reasoning “If Sony were undercovered then they should get more coverage. It is the majority of the market after all at the moment”.

'RE*AC*TOR' simply commented that “it was the kind of chewing gum tv, that is devoid of any substance”.

“So how much does a 30 minute ad on channel 6 cost?... Last week was bad, this was week was awful” ‘Stoichkov’ states in a second post. “The biggest gaming devices in Ireland are the ps2, psp, ds and pc, yet they are pretty much ignored”.

The show’s makers had used the same thread on board.ie for research before they launched the program, but the pages of advice looks to have been ultimately ignored.

At the time of publication, Games Toaster has received no response to a request for comment from Channel 6.

Channel 6 games show advert

Irish TV program on games to hit Channel 6

Game On, described as a “brand new Irish gaming show”, is set to be broadcasted on Channel 6 from this Friday.

Channel 6 is currently available on cable networks NTL and Chorus in urban areas throughout Ireland. The channel already features its own music and film shows. 

The half-hour long, Game On is to include reviews, news, charts and “lots more”. At least some of its setup research was conducted on boards.ie’s computer games forum.

Stating that they were looking to create an Irish TV gaming program, in August they posted that they “are currently at brainstorming stage”. And asked was there anything the boards.ie games community wanted to see include, and even “don’t want to see included”.

Recently the same forum poster returned, saying “just to let you know the gaming programme has been given the go ahead on channel 6. It will begin broadcast on fri 27th of October and it will air at 7pm!”. Although at this point it contains few details, the TV program now has a dedicated webpage at channel6.ie.

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