Editing Game Show Network (section)

==History==
===1994–2004: As "Game Show Network"===
On May 7, 1992, [[Sony Pictures|Sony Pictures Entertainment]] joined forces with the [[Gemstar-TV Guide International|United Video Satellite Group]] to launch the Game Show Channel, which was set to begin in 1993.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Sony Pictures Television Launches Game Show Network's 'Common Knowledge' On Fox Stations This August |publisher=Sony Pictures Entertainment |url=https://www.sonypictures.com/corp/press_releases/2020/0727 |date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=2023-07-12}}</ref> The announcement of the channel was made by SPE president Mel Harris.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/04/business/the-media-business-sony-venture-to-start-game-show-channel.html| title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Sony Venture to Start Game Show Channel| first=Geraldine| last=Fabricant| newspaper=[[The New York Times]]| date=May 7, 1992| access-date=July 12, 2023| url-access=subscription}}</ref>

On December 2, 1992, Sony Pictures Entertainment made a deal to acquire the Barry & Enright game show library, and in a separate deal, struck a 10-year licensing agreement for the rights to the [[Mark Goodson]] game show library of more than 20,000 episodes including among others, ''[[What's My Line?]]'', ''[[Family Feud]]'', and ''[[To Tell the Truth]]''. Upon the deal, Sony said it would sell an equity stake in the network to Mark Goodson Productions, including the production of new original series by [[Jonathan Goodson|Jonathan Goodson Productions]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://variety.com/1992/tv/news/sony-makes-a-deal-for-gameshow-libraries-101753/| title=Sony makes a deal for gameshow libraries| first=Jennifer| last=Pendleton| magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]| date=December 7, 1992| access-date=July 12, 2023}}</ref> Both deals were completed on December 7, 1992, eleven days before Mark Goodson's death.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13539468.html| title=Sony Pictures' secret: Goodson's price is right. (Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.'s licensing deal with Mark Goodson Productions)| first=Kim| last=Mitchell| magazine=[[Multichannel News]]| date=December 7, 1992| access-date=July 12, 2023| archive-date=June 11, 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611025717/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13539468.html| url-status=dead}}</ref> On June 6, 1994, Mark Goodson Productions pulled out of the venture.<ref>{{cite news |title=COMPANY TOWN ANNEX |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-07-27-fi-20432-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=February 16, 2022 |date=July 27, 1994 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> GSN's launch time was intended to be at 10:00 p.m. ET, but at the time, it was pushed back to 7:00 p.m. ET.

Game Show Network launched at 7:00 p.m. on December 1, 1994.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://corp.gsn.com/corporate-info| title=GSN Corporate| website=GSN| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309104932/http://corp.gsn.com/corporate-info| archive-date=March 9, 2010}}</ref> The first aired game show to be on GSN was ''[[What's My Line?]]''.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.facebook.com/gsn/posts/10153235986710227?comment_id=48314711&offset=0&total_comments=36|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140707103213/https://www.facebook.com/gsn/posts/10153235986710227?comment_id=48314711&offset=0&total_comments=36| url-status=dead| archive-date=July 7, 2014| website=Facebook| title=GSN Official| date=August 29, 2013| access-date=May 7, 2014}}</ref> By the launch date, the network had secured rights to over 40,000 episodes from the libraries of several game show production companies and corporate parent Sony. The initial lineup was exclusively acquired programming such as ''[[Match Game]]'', ''[[Family Feud]]'', ''[[The Newlywed Game]]'', ''[[Jeopardy!]]'', and ''[[Wheel of Fortune (American game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]''. Over time, Game Show Network acquired the rights to ''[[The Price Is Right]]'', ''[[The $10,000 Pyramid]]'', ''[[Let's Make a Deal]]'', ''[[Hollywood Squares]]'', ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?]]'' and other libraries, putting them on the schedule at various times throughout the network's history. The network eventually began producing original game shows such as ''[[Lingo (American game show)|Lingo]]'', ''Burt Luddin's Love Buffet'', ''[[Whammy! The All-New Press Your Luck|Whammy!]]'', ''[[Inquizition]]'', and ''[[The Gong Show#Later incarnations|Extreme Gong]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Nedeff |first=Adam |date=April 1, 2014 |title=This Day in Game Show History - 365 Commemorations and Celebrations, Vol. 4: October Through December |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RJmeDwAAQBAJ&dq=game+show+network+history&pg=PT296|publisher=BearManor Media |page=December 1, 1994 - Game Show Network Launches |isbn=978-1-5939-3572-6}}</ref> '''''Faux Pause''''' is an American television program that aired in 1998 on Game Show Network. Co-hosted by Mary Gallagher and Sean Donnellan, ''Pause'' consisted of jokes and skits done while watching certain episodes of [[game show]]s, in a similar fashion to ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''.

In 2001, a massive change in both leadership and programming at the network took place when [[Liberty Media]] acquired a 50% stake. Both president Michael Fleming and vice president Jake Tauber departed, and former [[Freeform (TV channel)|ABC Family/Fox Family Channel]] president [[Rich Cronin (executive)|Rich Cronin]] was hired to head the network.<ref>{{cite news| last1=Umstead| first1=R. Thomas| title=Game Show Lands Cronin| url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/game-show-lands-cronin-132113| access-date=February 16, 2022| magazine=[[Multichannel News]]| date=May 6, 2001}}</ref>

===2004–18: As "GSN"===
[[File:GSN logo.svg|thumb|left|150px|GSN logo used from November 6, 2008 to June 2, 2015]]
[[File:GSN logo 2015.svg|thumb|left|150px|GSN logo used from June 3, 2015 to September 30, 2018]]
On March 15, 2004, Game Show Network began using the abbreviation "GSN" and introduced the tagline "The Network for Games." GSN began expanding its programming to include [[reality television]] games and various competition-based programs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2005/01/03/gsns-world-series-of-blackjack-returns-with-a-stellar-line-up-of-the-worlds-top-40-players-17486/20050103gsn01/ |title=GSN's World Series of Blackjack Returns with a Stellar Line Up of the World's Top 40 Players |website=[[The Futon Critic]] |access-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2005/06/14/extreme-dodgeball-returns-on-gsn-with-a-new-league-celebrity-captains-and-more-intense-action--18556/20050614gsn01/ |title=Extreme Dodgeball Returns on GSN with a New League, Celebrity Captains and More Intense Action |access-date=December 31, 2020 |website=The Futon Critic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.pokernews.com/news/2007/08/high-stakes-poker-4.htm |title=High Stakes Poker is back for Season 4 |access-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308064834/http://uk.pokernews.com/news/2007/08/high-stakes-poker-4.htm |url-status=dead |first=Barry |last=Carter |website=[[PokerNews]]}}</ref> GSN would also air reruns of reality competitions (for example, ''[[Spy TV]]'' and ''[[The Mole (American TV series)|The Mole]]'').<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jicha |first1=Tom |title=Game Show Network Plays The Name Game |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2004-03-14/entertainment/0403100593_1_game-show-network-gsn-casino-games |access-date=July 7, 2016 |newspaper=[[Sun Sentinel]] |location=Ft Lauderdale, Florida |date=March 14, 2004 |archive-date=August 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825221145/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2004-03-14/entertainment/0403100593_1_game-show-network-gsn-casino-games |url-status=dead}}</ref> Along with its new format, GSN would continue to produce traditional game shows, including new seasons of ''[[Lingo (American game show)|Lingo]]'' and a revival of ''[[Chain Reaction (game show)|Chain Reaction]]''.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2006/03/21/lingos-fifth-season-premieres-april-3-marking-a-first-for-gsn-the-network-for-games--20868/20060321gsn01/ |title=Lingo's Fifth Season Premieres April 3 Marking a First for GSN, the Network for Games |access-date=December 31, 2020 |publisher=GSN |via=The Futon Critic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/gsn-names-chain-reaction-host-29194 |title=GSN Names Chain Reaction Host |first=Anne |last=Becker |date=July 11, 2006 |magazine=[[Broadcasting & Cable]] |access-date=July 12, 2023}}</ref>

[[David Goldhill]] succeeded Rich Cronin as GSN president on August 1, 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moss |first1=Linda |title=Goldhill Succeeds Cronin Atop GSN |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/goldhill-succeeds-cronin-atop-gsn-369714 |access-date=February 16, 2022 |magazine=Multichannel News |date=July 25, 2007}}</ref> A [[High-definition television|high definition]] [[simulcast]] feed of the network was launched on September 15, 2010.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://corp.gsn.com/press/releases/gsn-s-new-hd-service-launches-time-warner-cable-new-york-city-bright-house-networks-a |title=GSN's New HD Service Launches on Time Warner Cable New York City, Brighthouse Networks and Service Electric Cablevision Systems |date= December 3, 2010 |access-date=July 12, 2023 |publisher=GSN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727111325/http://corp.gsn.com/press/releases/gsn-s-new-hd-service-launches-Time-Warner-Cable-new-york-city-bright-house-networks-a |archive-date=July 27, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Some notable acquisitions for the network included ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?]]''<ref>{{cite press release |publisher=GSN  |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2005/04/18/gsn-renews-and-expands-its-who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-inventory-and-acquires-super-millionaire-series-18212/20050418gsn01/ |title=GSN Renews and Expands Its 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' Inventory and Acquires 'Super Millionaire' Series |date=April 18, 2005 |via=The Futon Critic |access-date=July 12, 2023}}</ref> and the [[Steve Harvey]]-hosted ''[[Family Feud]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/gsn-acquires-another-cycle-fmnas-family-feud-112995 |title=GSN Acquires Another Cycle of FMNA's 'Family Feud' |date=March 14, 2012 |first=Paige |last=Albiniak |magazine=Broadcasting & Cable |access-date=July 12, 2023}}</ref> both of which would headline the network's prime time lineup. Notable original game shows produced during this time were ''[[Catch 21]]'' (which would be revived in 2019), ''[[Baggage (American game show)|Baggage]]'' (hosted by [[Jerry Springer]]), the first U.S. incarnation of ''[[The Chase (American game show)|The Chase]]'',<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2008/07/07/gsn-premieres-catch-21-on-july-21-2008--28049/20080707gsn01/ |title=GSN Premieres 'Catch 21' on July 21, 2008 |date=July 8, 2008 |publisher=GSN |via=The Futon Critic |access-date=July 12, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/jerry-springer-hosts-new-dating-game-series-baggage-debut-month-game-show-network-article-1.176783 |title=Jerry Springer hosts new dating game series, 'Baggage,' to debut next month on Game Show Network |newspaper=[[New York Daily News]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=March 23, 2010 |access-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/gsn-renews-the-chase-before-its-season-one-debut-1200503573/ |title=GSN Renews 'The Chase' Before Its Season One Debut |date=July 1, 2013 |first=AJ |last=Marechal |magazine=Variety |access-date=July 12, 2023}}</ref> ''[[American Bible Challenge]]'' (the premiere of which drew an audience of nearly two million viewers),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/gsn-sets-ratings-record-bible-challenge-debut-63904 |title=GSN Sets Ratings Record With 'Bible Challenge' Debut |date=August 25, 2012 |first=R. Thomas |last=Umstead |magazine=Broadcasting & Cable |access-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref> and ''[[Skin Wars]]'' (which would later move to [[Syfy]]).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/gsns-body-painting-competition-skin-wars-launch-an-aftershow-723440/ |title=GSN's Body-Painting Competition 'Skin Wars' to Launch an Aftershow (Exclusive) |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Philiana |last=Ng |access-date=February 16, 2022 |date=August 5, 2014}}</ref> The network produced interactive program blocks, such as ''[[GSN Live]]'' and ''[[Playmania]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=GSN Live |url=https://twitter.com/gsnlive?lang=en |website=Twitter |access-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=GSN: Playmania Times Six |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/gsn-playmania-times-six-370494 |magazine=Multichannel News |date=September 25, 2006 |access-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref>

In March 2011, [[DirecTV]] (which by this point had taken over Liberty Media's then-65% stake in the network) sold a 5% stake in the network back to [[Sony Pictures|Sony Pictures Entertainment]]. Although DirecTV nominally remained the majority owner, it had ceded control of the network to Sony, and had the right to force Sony to increase its stake in GSN to 58%.<ref name=mp-gsnsony40%>{{cite news |last=Goetzl |first=David |title=Sony Gains Control of GSN Even With Minority Stake |url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/153425/sony-gains-control-of-gsn-even-with-minority-stake.html |access-date=June 30, 2011 |newspaper=TVBlog |date=June 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229020356/http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle |archive-date=December 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |url-access=subscription}}</ref> On November 8, 2012, DirecTV sold an 18% interest in GSN to Sony.<ref>[https://my.insideview.com/iv/launchReferredArticle.do?aid=_7561097217 "Update: DirecTV sells 18% stake in GSN to Sony"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406160137/https://my.insideview.com/iv/launchReferredArticle.do?aid=_7561097217 |date=April 6, 2016}}. ''[[InsideView]]''. Retrieved on November 28, 2012.</ref> GSN partnered with Vubiquity to launch "GSN On Demand" on August 15, 2013.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.vubiquity.com/node/290 |title=GSN Gets In The VOD Game With Vubiquity| website=Vubiquity |date=August 13, 2015 |access-date=September 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928074311/http://www.vubiquity.com/node/290 |archive-date=September 28, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 2017–present: Return to "Game Show Network" ===
In April 2017, David Goldhill stepped down after nearly 10 years as GSN president, the longest tenure for any president to date. He was succeeded by Mark Feldman in August 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goldberg |first1=Lesley |title=GSN Promotes Mark Feldman to CEO |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/gsn-promotes-mark-feldman-ceo-1026513/ |access-date=February 16, 2022 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 3, 2017}}</ref> Later that year, the network would begin to refer to itself in promos by its full name.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvmigD1NeiE "Saturday Night Classics!"]. ''GSN''. December 22, 2017.</ref> On October 1, 2018, the network's programming returned to focus on traditional game show formats, culminating in a rebranding that restored the network's full name.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=gameshownetwork |author=Game Show Network |number=1046799403120349185 |date=October 1, 2018 |title=It's the first day of our new logo! We're going back to our roots to celebrate our favorite thing: game shows. All-day, every day! What do you think?}}</ref>

The network's daily schedule would consist almost entirely of original programming, including new shows like ''[[America Says]]'', ''[[Common Knowledge (game show)|Common Knowledge]]'', and ''[[People Puzzler]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Game Show Network Adds, Renews Series |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/game-show-network-adds-renews-series |access-date=December 31, 2020 |work=[[Multichannel News]] |date=April 5, 2019}}</ref> In April 2020, Game Show Network re-introduced ''[[Master Minds (game show)|Master Minds]]'', a retool of an earlier original show called ''Best Ever Trivia Show'' featuring ''[[Jeopardy!]]'' champion and host [[Ken Jennings]], and now hosted by the returning [[Brooke Burns]] of the GSN version of ''[[The Chase (American game show)|The Chase]]''.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://press.gsntv.com/resources/press-releases/game-show-networks-new-expert-trivia-game-show-master-minds-hosted-by-brooke-burns-premieres-april-6-at-4-pm-et |title=Game Show Network's New Expert Trivia Game Show, 'MASTER MINDS' Hosted by Brooke Burns Premieres April 6 at 4 PM ET |date=March 10, 2020 |publisher=Game Show Network |access-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref>

DirecTV's stake in Game Show Network would move to [[AT&T]] when it acquired the service in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/atnt2/sec/sec-show.aspx?Type=html&FilingId=12972266&CIK=0000732717&Index=10000 |title=AT&T INC. filed this 8-K on Sep 21, 2018 |date=September 21, 2018 |website=Securities and Exchange Commission |access-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref> On November 18, 2019, it was announced that Sony had acquired AT&T's 42% stake and thus resumed full ownership of GSN.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2019/11/sony-acquires-atts-42-game-show-network-stake-in-deal-worth-500m-1202789119/|title=Sony Acquires AT&T's 42% Game Show Network Stake In Deal Worth $500M |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=November 18, 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=November 18, 2019}}</ref> A list of 2020 [[Nielsen Media Research|Nielsen]] ratings published by ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' indicated that Game Show Network averaged 432,000 viewers in prime time, up 6% from the 2019 average.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schneider |first1=Michael |title=Year in Review: Most-Watched Television Networks — Ranking 2020's Winners and Losers |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/network-ratings-2020-top-channels-fox-news-cnn-msnbc-cbs-1234866801/ |access-date=December 31, 2020 |magazine=Variety |date=December 28, 2020}}</ref>

In December 2021, Mark Feldman resigned after four years as Game Show Network president, to join the video game firm [[Scopely]] amid the gaming unit sale from Sony. He was succeeded by longtime executive John Zaccario.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hayes |first1=Dade |date=December 7, 2021 |title=Sony-Owned GSN Ups Longtime Exec John Zaccario To President, Succeeding Mark Feldman Amid Mobile Gaming Unit Sale |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/sony-gsn-john-zaccario-president-network-1234886624/ |access-date=December 7, 2021}}</ref> 

On September 7, 2022, [[Dish Network]] and [[Sling TV]] removed Game Show Network from their lineups, after failing to reach a renewal agreement with owner Sony Pictures Television.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=Game Show Network Goes Dark on Dish, Sling TV Over Contract Fight |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/game-show-network-blackout-dish-sling-tv-1235362533/ |magazine=Variety |date=September 7, 2022 |access-date=September 7, 2022}}</ref> The network returned to both services on September 27, 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |title=Game Show Network Restored to Dish, Sling TV After Three-Week Blackout |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/game-show-network-restored-dish-sling-tv-agreement-1235386277/ |magazine=Variety |date=September 27, 2022 |access-date=September 28, 2022}}</ref>