G4 Network is trimming episodes and staff on its signature series "Attack of the Show!" and "X-Play."
The Comcast-owned cabler will tape only four episodes of "AOTS" a week now. It's the second time the news, reviews and variety show, targeted to G4's core demo of educated, vidgame-loving young men, has had its Friday run scaled back. "AOTS" launched in March 2005 as a five-day-a-week series, was originally cut back to four days in January 2006, then re-expanded in September.
Vidgame-themed series "X-Play," meanwhile, will be cut back from five episodes to three a week.
The changes take effect March 2. G4 officials didn't disclose how many staff members will lose their jobs.
"Savings resulting from this move will go directly toward producing more original programming in 2009. This is not a budget cut. G4 remains dedicated to these core franchises," the company said in a statement.
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