The teasing of the return of G4 TV and X-Play after a long hiatus off the air had many talking about the possibility of a video-game lifestyle channel once again. However, any plans for G4 now have competition with a new player on the block, the Video Game culture and lifestyle channel VENN.
The Video Game Entertainment & News Network, or VENN, is a new channel dedicated to video games, pop culture, eSports, and more. Broadcasting live footage their website VENN tv, the format of the show is in a similar vein as G4 back in the day, with multiple shows and segments dedicated to the world of video games.
VENN covers "the intersection of culture, entertainment, esports and gaming," stated Erin Ashley Simon in a promotional video posted on Twitter. Simon, an freelance journalist, was tapped to be the host of VENN's flagship talk show titled The Download, along with a multitude of co-hosts including eSports commentator Matt Morello, and Screen Junkies and Collider collaborator Emma Fyffe.
Other shows on the new network include The Guest House, a 2-hour live streaming program with singer and songwriter Chrissy Costanza, The Gains, a fitness show from YouTuber Cash, and the Sushi Dragon Show, a comedy variety segment hosted by Twitch Influencer SushiDragon. In total, 23 hours of content are generated a day, with a full schedule of live and taped events listed on the website.
VENN was first announced last September by eSports names Ariel Horn and Ben Kusin, who raised over $17 million from investors to launch the channel in 2020. The channel's launch now was done ahead of it's scheduled release, due to the COVID-19 epidemic in an effort to capitalize on the ongoing quarantines across the world.
In addition to being available on their own online website, VENN is also featured on Vizio SmartCast, Xumo, STIRR and Distro TV. The VENN network also has plans to have major presence on live streaming services, and eventually cable and satellite networks.
