Esquire Network launch delayed

The classing- up of G4 will have to wait a little longer.

The new Esuqire Network is now slated to bow this summer, instead of April 22 as originally planned. That will allow five original series, including holdover “American Ninja Warrior,” to help make the transition.

New series include cooking competition “Knife Fight” and Anthony Bourdain celebrity- led travel series “The Getaway.”

The new network is being pitched to advertisers as a way to reach the “modern man;” one more mature and upscale than G4 may have previously drawn.

There will also be gaming programming on Esquire, in keeping with the network’s heritage.

Overtures from the Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Wrestling Entertainment to take a controlling stake in the network fell through last year.

The ball was already rolling to make G4 more upscale, as the long- running “Attack of the Show!” and “X- Play” were canceled in October.

NBCU also apparently had discussions with Hearst rival Conde Nast. NBC and Hearst were previously partners as co-owners of A&E Networks until NBC sold its 15.8 percent stake last summer for $3.03 billion. Hearst still has a stake in A&E Networks, which includes A&E, Lifetime, History and Bio.