GSN bits and pieces

As the GSN board wends its way to The End, I reply to three posters on various and sundry topics. The first concerns a supposed crisis for GSN in the last couple years...

Other poster: I'm not going to get into an argument over hypotheticals [about a possible GSN shutdown] from 2-3 years ago.

I'm not going to get into an argument, either. I'll just state the facts: Sony began acquiring more ownership of GSN 2-3 years ago, and they paid a lot of money to do so. Hardly seems like GSN was in any danger of shutting down. So the "hypothetical" is more like "fantasy."

Now the 2000-01 crisis was anything but hypothetical. GSN almost went belly up...for real.

Another poster: With these forums shutting down and who knows how long until another one comes up...who's to say that if/when ratings decline for good, the network closes and "GSN.com" only stays on as a gaming site?

I don't think this board's demise has much to do with anything. GSN probably doesn't see much value in the board, and frankly I can understand why. It's not like the board is making big bucks for the organization. As for the focus on gaming, it's probably helping to keep the cable network afloat. The tie-ins between TV game shows and online gaming are obvious and lucrative. It's not like, say, the Hallmark Channel has any such tie-ins.

Yet another poster: I'm still surprised to see Richard Karn's Feud doing so well in the ratings, personally.

Really? Karn has always performed well for GSN. He doesn't get much respect on this board, but that means nothing.