Sony will control GSN with 40% "majority" share

[Matt Ottinger]

This story from just last week seems to have slipped by us.  Not sure what it means in the long term, but there's a reference to the continuing effort to make viewers over fifty appear relevant again, which of course would make GSN look a LOT better.

[Jimmy Owen]

Maybe Sony can make more decisions on utilizing the game show library it has without the sayso of Direct TV.  Another thought is that after SoapNet goes off, they could move Sony-owned DOOL and Y&R same-day repurposes to GSN (thus a rebranding to Game Soap Network) to bring in young women demos in prime-time.  As long as it's mostly game shows, I wouldn't mind too much.

[clemon79]

Another thought is that after SoapNet goes off, they could move Sony-owned DOOL and Y&R same-day repurposes to GSN (thus a rebranding to Game Soap Network) to bring in young women demos in prime-time.  As long as it's mostly game shows, I wouldn't mind too much.

Approves

/you'll get some bites

[Mike Tennant]

Maybe Sony can make more decisions on utilizing the game show library it has without the sayso of Direct TV.  Another thought is that after SoapNet goes off, they could move Sony-owned DOOL and Y&R same-day repurposes to GSN (thus a rebranding to Game Soap Network) to bring in young women demos in prime-time.  As long as it's mostly game shows, I wouldn't mind too much.

Add some Merv or Mike Douglas reruns, and you could have a whole channel recreating the glory days of daytime TV.

[chris319]

Based on the March deal, the current value of GSN would be $1.2 billion.

Good gravy Marie.

any network that offers Richard Dawson in the morning has plenty of value.

Not $1.2 billion.

[Jamey Greek]

tell you what, GSN should do something big for their 20th anniversary to also celebrate Sony fully owning them again.  Also, I won't be surprised if Bob Boden returns as president of GSN!

[MikeK]

tell you what, GSN should do something big for their 20th anniversary to also celebrate Sony fully owning them again.

40% ≠ 100%.  Numbers have meanings.

Also, I won't be surprised if Bob Boden returns as president of GSN!

I would.

[Johnissoevil]

tell you what, GSN should do something big for their 20th anniversary to also celebrate Sony fully owning them again.  Also, I won't be surprised if Bob Boden returns as president of GSN!

The most the article said was that they want to become principal owners between 2012 and 2014, nothing about them buying the network back as a whole.  Principal ownership means anywhere between 51% and 99% ownership.  If it were full ownership, the article would've stated "sole owners."  As for Bob Boden, I don't see him returning, I imagine he's satisfied with his present job at the Hub.

[parliboy]

Soaps and old talk shows?  I do not totally hate.  Welcome to TDN, The Daytime Network!

[Jamey Greek]

tell you what, GSN should do something big for their 20th anniversary to also celebrate Sony fully owning them again.  Also, I won't be surprised if Bob Boden returns as president of GSN!

The most the article said was that they want to become principal owners between 2012 and 2014, nothing about them buying the network back as a whole.  Principal ownership means anywhere between 51% and 99% ownership.  If it were full ownership, the article would've stated "sole owners."  As for Bob Boden, I don't see him returning, I imagine he's satisfied with his present job at the Hub.

The Hub is in debt right now.  So their future is uncertain.

[BrandonFG]

The Hub is in debt right now.  So their future is uncertain.

Most companies don't see the black for a few years. It is uncertain, but I wouldn't use that to get your hopes up about him returning to GSN.