After initially scuttling its April 22 launch date, the Esquire Network — NBCUniversal's rebrand of the G4 Network — will now debut on Sept. 23., the network's general manager Adam Stotsky said Wednesday.
The network has also added two new series to its programming roster, and will kick off its primetime with a two-hour special celebrating the 80th anniversary of Esquire magazine.
Also read: Esquire Network Pushes Launch Date Back to Summer
The new shows include a series bearing the working title "Brew Dogs," which will follow Scottish "beer evangelists" James Watt and Martin Dickie as they travel across America, visiting breweries and creating locally-inspired craft beers. The series, which is produced by Custom Productions and Redtail Media, is slated for six hour-long episodes.
"Horse Players," meanwhile, will focus on "the high-stakes world of professional horse race handicapping, where the only thing bigger than the bets are the characters placing them." Go Go Luckey is producing the series, which has been greenlit for seven hour-long episodes.
The new entries join previously announced series "Knife Fight," "The Getaway," "How I Rock It," "Risky Listing" and "American Field Trip."
Also read: Esquire Network Orders 2 Reality Shows
The Esquire 80th anniversary special, which is scheduled to coincide with the October release of the magazine's anniversary issue, will look back at "the social, political and cultural forces that shaped our lives over the last eight decades – told through the lens of the magazine, its stories, images and covers."
"As Esquire magazine reaches such a significant milestone, it only seems fitting that Esquire Network kick off by celebrating the rich legacy of this iconic brand," Stotsky said of the special. "And we will build on this unparalleled 80 year history with a new primetime lineup featuring compelling original programming that hits on the wide-ranging interests, aspirations and passions of men today."
Esquire put the brakes on its initial April launch date a week before it was due to premiere, with Stotsky noting that the network had the opportunity to premiere with more original programming than it initially expected to launch with. At the time, the Esquire Network launch was re-slated for the summer.