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The various hosts and talents on newly launched VENN (Video Game Entertainment & News Network). (Photo: VENN)

Video game lovers now have their own fully fledged network again with the arrival of the Video Game Entertainment & News Network (VENN).

The VENN began broadcasting live Wednesday at about 2:30 p.m. ET on its on website VENN.tv, as well as on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube and Facebook. 

The network has a full slate of programs including daily variety show VENN Arcade Live, the afternoon interactive show Guest House, and The Download, a daily gaming, pop culture and tech news show including host Erin Ashley Simon, esports commentator Matt Morello, and actor and musician Jimmy Wong (“Mulan”). 

VENN covers “the intersection of culture, entertainment, esports and gaming,” Simon said in a promotional video posted on Twitter. But the network also shows that gamers “come in so many different shapes and forms we have so many different passions. And more importantly we are able to be ourselves. VENN is about uplifting and empowering content creators and gamers and talent and allowing us to be us.”

You can watch programming live – VENN’s schedule can be found on VENN.tv – or watch full episodes on demand on the site. 

VENN is also available on Vizio SmartCast, Xumo, STIRR, and Distro TV. The network plans to eventually have a presence on live streaming services, as well as cable and satellite systems.

“VENN was built to be a talent first network – a welcoming home for gamers, streamers, and creators of all genres, backgrounds, and passions,” said VENN executive creative director Viranda Tantula in a statement. “We’re inspired by a love of content, craft, and culture – a love we share with the talent who are joining us. We hope our audience feels that energy.”

VENN harkens back to the day when video game fans had their own network such as G4 and television shows such as GameTrailers TV, and The Electric Playground, which you can still see new episodes of online.

Apparently, interest in video game programming is high – with the impending arrival of the new PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X – as G4 recently tweeted its rebirth coming in 2021.

Follow Mike Snider on Twitter: @MikeSnider.

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