TechTV

TechTV was a United States-based cable television channel dedicated to technology news, reviews, and instructional programming. The service originated as ZDTV in 1998, a joint venture between Ziff Davis and Rogers Communications, and was later rebranded to TechTV. It specialized in computing, consumer electronics, and information technology topics, aiming to serve both enthusiasts and professionals.

The channel built its identity around a set of hosted programs that combined live demonstrations, tutorials, and product coverage. Notable shows included The Screen Savers, which featured discussions on hardware, software, and tech culture, and TechLive, a daily news-focused program. Call for Help offered practical troubleshooting and how-to content for viewers. TechTV also produced reviews, feature segments, and coverage of industry events, supplementing its on-air offerings with online content and show guides.

In 2004, TechTV merged with the gaming-oriented G4 network to form G4techTV, signaling a shift toward a broader mix of technology and gaming coverage. The TechTV brand gradually disappeared as the combined network adopted the G4 name. The rebranding and realignment reflected changes in cable programming strategies and audience demand in the mid-2000s, with the G4 channel continuing to publish tech and gaming content under the new branding.

Legacy and impact: TechTV helped popularize tech-focused television and early online engagement, with host-driven formats and hands-on demonstrations influencing subsequent technology media. Its programs contributed to a culture of accessible tech television and informed consumer tech coverage, influencing later channels and online tech communities that followed its model.