Sci Fi channel becomes SyFy

[Don]

I hate it.

[steveo777]

Now that's just fuckin stupid. What kind of hack came up with that idea?

[Don]

They're doing it so they can own the copyright, which they can't with the words Sci Fi. They had some of the top ratings for cable channels last year and they turn around and do something silly like this. It sure worked for New Coke, didn't it?
Everything is running a little bit too smoothly so let's go ahead and change something.

[NealIsGod]

The programming is still the same so who cares?

[JasonD]

I think they should rename it "Psy-Phi"

(not really.)

[Babyblue]

The programming is still the same so who cares?

I agree love the shows on there.

[Deacon]

Yeah. That name looks really, really, really stupid. Thank God that it sounds the same.

[The_Noble_Cause]

They had some of the top ratings for cable channels last year and they turn around and do something silly like this.

Did they?
From everything I read, they are changing the name specifically to appeal to a wider audience.
They were even gonna go with 'The Imagination Channel' at one point.
They have been branching out with wrestling and other non-genre programming for some time.
It's a desperate move by a channel that's been horribly mis-managed since day one.
Let's count the number of hit shows they have managed to destroy - Sliders, Farscape, The Invisible Man, G vs E, Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica etc.

[strangegrey]

The programming is still the same so who cares?

Actually, it's not. While part of the change to SyFy is, as already stated, an effort to have a channel name that can be legally trademarked. The *other* part is that the idiots that run the channel want a broader appeal. If you've noticed, there are very few actual science fiction shows on the network during prime time. A great deal of the weekly evening programming is now professional wrestling. While they do sponsor some completely and utterly rediculous sci-fi tv movies, like that sand worm movie they had on recently....the fact remains that during premier viewing times, there's more wrestling than actual sci-fi.



They also purposely scuttled their three major money makers a few years ago...because they didn't want the expense. Roughly 2-3 years ago, on friday night, they ran Stargate SG-1, Stargate:Atlantis and Battlestar Galactica....all back to back. Like the shows or not, it was a ratings howitzer for the network...SciFi couldn't do better with anything else.

Right around the time when SG-1 was reaching it's 10 year mark, they broke up this winning formula. Sister network USA placed Monk in direct competition with SG-1 on friday nights......and when the ratings dropped enough for them to justify it, they canceled SG-1. They didn't want to suck down the expense of paying SG-1 the over-10 fees.....despite the fact that SG-1 was a *huge* money maker for the network.


Now the network has a handful of truly awful shows and professional wrestling!


Can't forget the professional wrestling. Find me more than 5 guys that will say they enjoy both sci-fi and grown fat men beating eachother up to a predetermined script on the same network, and I'll eat my shorts.



This name change is a bad decision, but not because of the trademark issue....because of the change in programming.

[bluejeangirl76]

The programming is still the same so who cares?

Actually, it's not. While part of the change to SyFy is, as already stated, an effort to have a channel name that can be legally trademarked. The *other* part is that the idiots that run the channel want a broader appeal. If you've noticed, there are very few actual science fiction shows on the network during prime time. A great deal of the weekly evening programming is now professional wrestling.

But wresting is fiction. (and really bad fiction, at that)

But hey, if Music Television and Video Hits 1 can up and quit showing music (and make a dramatic programming shift to "all shit, all the time") then why can't the sci-fi channel show wrestling. At least the Food Network still has food shows. But alson I bought into the lie that MTV and VH1 were music channels and I got burned so I fully expect to one day turn on the Food Network and see horse racing.

[strangegrey]

The programming is still the same so who cares?

Actually, it's not. While part of the change to SyFy is, as already stated, an effort to have a channel name that can be legally trademarked. The *other* part is that the idiots that run the channel want a broader appeal. If you've noticed, there are very few actual science fiction shows on the network during prime time. A great deal of the weekly evening programming is now professional wrestling.

But wresting is fiction. (and really bad fiction, at that)

But hey, if Music Television and Video Hits 1 can up and quit showing music (and make a dramatic programming shift to "all shit, all the time") then why can't the sci-fi channel show wrestling. At least the Food Network still has food shows. But alson I bought into the lie that MTV and VH1 were music channels and I got burned so I fully expect to one day turn on the Food Network and see horse racing.

But there's nothing scientific about wrestling...it might be fiction, but so is The Sound Of Music. That doesn't belong on the sci fi channel either.


Here's the thing about MTV...while I agree they moved away from their programming and I would rather they play music, they stumbled onto something in the 90s, when they made the switch away from music. They realized that they were no longer a Music channel, but a pop culture channel. The reality TV shows that they spawned, literally launched a juggernaut genre...and they realized they were onto something bigger than just music. So they changed the feel of their networks to adapt to that.


In sci-fi, there's nothing really bigger than Sci-fi. You can't claim that sci-fi has a new product that has changed the definition of scifi....that new product is wrestling? what it shows is that they can't justify putting wrestling on USA and TNT anymore, because they value those networks far greater than ruining it with wrestling. So scifi officially becomes a junk-pit of shit that no one wants to watch.


It wont take long before the true sci-fi fans pickup and walk. In fact, I've already done it. I used to watch sci-fi regularly for everything from StarTrek-enterprise reruns, to SG-1/Atlantis reruns to feature movies.....but no more. I don't want my sci-fi mixed with wrestling.

You'll find that I'm not the only former fan of this network that is really angered by this move....it's a very risky move that isn't going to turn out well for the network.....

....but maybe that's what they want. The scorched earth game plan worked well for the shows they wanted to kill on the network, why can't it work for the network itself...?

[Eric]

From everything I read, they are changing the name specifically to appeal to a wider audience.

Hmmm...misspelling in a trendy way to appeal to a wider audience...I wonder WHO that audience might be that it appeals to.

HOOOH

[The_Noble_Cause]

It wont take long before the true sci-fi fans pickup and walk. In fact, I've already done it. I used to watch sci-fi regularly for everything from StarTrek-enterprise reruns, to SG-1/Atlantis reruns to feature movies.....but no more. I don't want my sci-fi mixed with wrestling.

You'll find that I'm not the only former fan of this network that is really angered by this move....it's a very risky move that isn't going to turn out well for the network.....

....but maybe that's what they want. The scorched earth game plan worked well for the shows they wanted to kill on the network, why can't it work for the network itself...?

Well, to be fair, the channel used to get shit for being the channel of nothing but Incredible Hulk repeats.
They've made some great strides, but for every new franchise they manage to launch, they drive another straight into the ground.

[bluejeangirl76]

Here's the thing about MTV...while I agree they moved away from their programming and I would rather they play music, they stumbled onto something in the 90s, when they made the switch away from music. They realized that they were no longer a Music channel, but a pop culture channel. The reality TV shows that they spawned, literally launched a juggernaut genre...and they realized they were onto something bigger than just music. So they changed the feel of their networks to adapt to that.

Then perhaps MTV should no longer go by "Music Television" and change their name to reflect their actual programming. PCTV: Pop Culture Television" would be the accurate choice, but personally... I suggest "STV: Shit Television"

As for sci-fi... my present cable package doesn't have it, but the only thing I'd want on there are "Star Trek: TNG" reruns and Ghost Hunters. But if they're going to clog it all up with frickin' wrestling (huge eyeroll) than maybe I'm not missing out on much by not having it.

[strangegrey]

Hmmm...misspelling in a trendy way to appeal to a wider audience...I wonder WHO that audience might be that it appeals to.

HOOOH

They're obviously trying to attract a younger audience. One of the biggest complaints that the network bigwigs had with the the shows that were dragging in the most advertising dollars (SG1, SGA and BSG) was that they weren't getting high numbers in the teen-mid 20s demographic. They were hitting hard on the 30 and 40 something crowd....but any marketing 101 class will tell you that the demographic with the most disposable cash is the teen-college age crowd. They usually reap the most advertising dollars....

I suspect there was a leadership change at SciFi...they thought that changing the programming to wrestling would bring in more, well, kids.....and that changing the name to something that resonates with the 'texting' crowd would cement that fact.

What they don't realize is that the same efforts also turn away the 30-40 something crowd....and once you turn your back on your core audience, you're fucked.

It never works out...and you can never fix it once you do. There are tons of 80s bands that tried to go grunge in the 90s, that paid dearly for such a maneuver. Hell, I think Def Leppard is STILL paying through the nose for Slang.....

[strangegrey]

Well, to be fair, the channel used to get shit for being the channel of nothing but Incredible Hulk repeats.
They've made some great strides, but for every new franchise they manage to launch, they drive another straight into the ground.

Well, that was in the beginning of the network. They had a great thing going with the Stargate partnership and the BSG show (even though I never liked BSG)....they found a good balance of material to show....


They're clearly lost whatever direction they once had.

Then perhaps MTV should no longer go by "Music Television" and change their name to reflect their actual programming. PCTV: Pop Culture Television" would be the accurate choice, but personally... I suggest "STV: Shit Television"

I completely agree...MTV should have changed their channel to something edgy and less 'music' related. Perhaps WTFTV or something. I dunno....but they didnt and the brand association remained strong, despite their failure to seize the change at the right opportunity.

I'm not defending MTV....I just think they are the exception, rather than the rule. They were able to change their brand positioning, without having to change the name. I don't think it turns out well for others that try.....had MTV not stumbled upon reality tv....I think they would have never been able to redefine MTV into a pop culture channel....and they would have HAD to change the name...

[youkeepmewaiting]

The programming is still the same so who cares?

Actually, it's not. While part of the change to SyFy is, as already stated, an effort to have a channel name that can be legally trademarked. The *other* part is that the idiots that run the channel want a broader appeal. If you've noticed, there are very few actual science fiction shows on the network during prime time. A great deal of the weekly evening programming is now professional wrestling.

But wresting is fiction. (and really bad fiction, at that)

But hey, if Music Television and Video Hits 1 can up and quit showing music (and make a dramatic programming shift to "all shit, all the time") then why can't the sci-fi channel show wrestling. At least the Food Network still has food shows. But alson I bought into the lie that MTV and VH1 were music channels and I got burned so I fully expect to one day turn on the Food Network and see horse racing.

But there's nothing scientific about wrestling...it might be fiction, but so is The Sound Of Music. That doesn't belong on the sci fi channel either.


Here's the thing about MTV...while I agree they moved away from their programming and I would rather they play music, they stumbled onto something in the 90s, when they made the switch away from music. They realized that they were no longer a Music channel, but a pop culture channel. The reality TV shows that they spawned, literally launched a juggernaut genre...and they realized they were onto something bigger than just music. So they changed the feel of their networks to adapt to that.


In sci-fi, there's nothing really bigger than Sci-fi. You can't claim that sci-fi has a new product that has changed the definition of scifi....that new product is wrestling? what it shows is that they can't justify putting wrestling on USA and TNT anymore, because they value those networks far greater than ruining it with wrestling. So scifi officially becomes a junk-pit of shit that no one wants to watch.


It wont take long before the true sci-fi fans pickup and walk. In fact, I've already done it. I used to watch sci-fi regularly for everything from StarTrek-enterprise reruns, to SG-1/Atlantis reruns to feature movies.....but no more. I don't want my sci-fi mixed with wrestling.

You'll find that I'm not the only former fan of this network that is really angered by this move....it's a very risky move that isn't going to turn out well for the network.....

....but maybe that's what they want. The scorched earth game plan worked well for the shows they wanted to kill on the network, why can't it work for the network itself...?

Actually a good wrestling match is quite scientific

[strangegrey]

Actually a good wrestling match is quite scientific

I suppose you have me there....but the point still remains that professional wrestling and scifi are not compatible....at all. It's a bad move by the network....

...and the more and more I thnk about it, the more I'm starting to think that there's an effort to kill off the scifi channel, via the scorched earth method.

[Arkansas]

Now that's just f'n stupid. What kind of hack came up with that idea?

Maybe the same moron that decided to spell ESCAPE with a 4 and a 3.


later~

[youkeepmewaiting]

Actually a good wrestling match is quite scientific

I suppose you have me there....but the point still remains that professional wrestling and scifi are not compatible....at all. It's a bad move by the network....

...and the more and more I thnk about it, the more I'm starting to think that there's an effort to kill off the scifi channel, via the scorched earth method.

Yeah I meant to agree with your point in my previous point.

Aslong as it keeps Dollhouse I'm happy

[verslibre]

Actually a good wrestling match is quite scientific

I suppose you have me there....but the point still remains that professional wrestling and scifi are not compatible....at all. It's a bad move by the network....

...and the more and more I thnk about it, the more I'm starting to think that there's an effort to kill off the scifi channel, via the scorched earth method.

They've been airing wrestling for a long time now (and yes, it sucked then, sucks now, will suck, etc.).

I think they knew once BSG & the two principal Stargate shows were done, they were going to have issues...

But in lieu of "the next great SF series" we get ANOTHER Stargate spin-off, and shit like Warehouse 13 (sounds almost like a shoe store!) and Sanctuary.

And they'll continue airing modern B-grade monster movies.

Why not try something really adventurous & fun, like a big cock 'n' balls terrorizing the countryside? Take a cue from Troma or something!!!

[strangegrey]

They've been airing wrestling for a long time now (and yes, it sucked then, sucks now, will suck, etc.).

Not quite. Not really, it's more of a recent thing....it's been going on over the past year or so, but not really more than that.

I think they knew once BSG & the two principal Stargate shows were done, they were going to have issues...

But in lieu of "the next great SF series" we get ANOTHER Stargate spin-off, and shit like Warehouse 13 (sounds almost like a shoe store!) and Sanctuary.

The new stargate spinoff (stargate universe), from what I've read, is going to be a very sad, bad show. There's apparently going to be alot more BSG-style frame fucking. The character focus is going to be more on younger characters and there's going to be alot more of a darker feel to it (i.e. in the first few episodes, there's apparently one or two suicides) From what I gather, Brad Wright (Stargate franchise producer/director/writer/bigwig) got enough of a hint from the network that unless he changed the series to be a darker, younger, hipper attraction, the network wanted nothing to do with it. Unfortunate, since what made the Stargate franchise great was the lighter tongue-in-cheek feel that Rick Anderson brought to the table (which was smartly continued by Ben Browder and Joe Flanagan)....I'll reserve final judgment until I see it...but Im not hopeful, based on the spoilers I've seen.

and another stargate spinoff *could* have promse, if done right. That's what stinks about it. I'm one of the hugest stargate fans out there....and I'm not looking forward to SGU.

[bluejeangirl76]

[geminix]

Believe it or not, they only show wrestling once a week for an hour. They constantly bombard you with commercials so it makes you THINK they show more. The main reason they are showing ECW on SyFy is because it is the only channel WWE could make a deal with that would show it. They wanted to air it on the USA network along with WWE Raw but Universal did not want to give up more air time for them on that network, but they were more than happy to on the SyFy network (another Universal owned network).

[strangegrey]

Believe it or not, they only show wrestling once a week for an hour. They constantly bombard you with commercials so it makes you THINK they show more. The main reason they are showing ECW on SyFy is because it is the only channel WWE could make a deal with that would show it. They wanted to air it on the USA network along with WWE Raw but Universal did not want to give up more air time for them on that network, but they were more than happy to on the SyFy network (another Universal owned network).

I dunno...That might be the case now....6-12 months ago, it was on every night for at least an hour a night...

[brywool]

oooh, anybody know when "Man-Squito" is on again??

[Don]

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/03/sci_ ... hed_ge.php

"Sci Fi is coming off the best year in its history. In primetime it ranked 13th in total viewers among ad-supported cable networks in 2008. It’s a top-10 network in both adults 18 to 49 (up 4%) and adults 25 to 54 (up 6%)."

[Deacon]

Believe it or not, they only show wrestling once a week for an hour. They constantly bombard you with commercials so it makes you THINK they show more. The main reason they are showing ECW on SyFy is because it is the only channel WWE could make a deal with that would show it. They wanted to air it on the USA network along with WWE Raw but Universal did not want to give up more air time for them on that network, but they were more than happy to on the SyFy network (another Universal owned network).

I dunno...That might be the case now....6-12 months ago, it was on every night for at least an hour a night...

On three different networks.

[strangegrey]

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/03/sci_fi_channel_aims_to_shed_ge.php

"Sci Fi is coming off the best year in its history. In primetime it ranked 13th in total viewers among ad-supported cable networks in 2008. It’s a top-10 network in both adults 18 to 49 (up 4%) and adults 25 to 54 (up 6%)."

Strange! it just goes to show that it's hard to believe what gets printed anymore...because I've seen a handful of articles that speak to the opposite in the early part of this year. That 2008 was a bad year, and that this 2009 switchover to 'syfy' was a last ditch attempt. Well, percentages can be fudged in politics, why not ratings...?

I don't think the attempt to 'shed the geek' as they put it, will work for them, unless they shed the name/genre. They kinda go hand and hand. They're trying to shed the scifi without shedding the scifi. Can't have a cake and eat it too...

[The_Noble_Cause]

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/03/sci_fi_channel_aims_to_shed_ge.php

"Sci Fi is coming off the best year in its history. In primetime it ranked 13th in total viewers among ad-supported cable networks in 2008. It’s a top-10 network in both adults 18 to 49 (up 4%) and adults 25 to 54 (up 6%)."

Strange! it just goes to show that it's hard to believe what gets printed anymore...because I've seen a handful of articles that speak to the opposite in the early part of this year. That 2008 was a bad year, and that this 2009 switchover to 'syfy' was a last ditch attempt. Well, percentages can be fudged in politics, why not ratings...?

That's been my understanding as well.
Their flagship show, Battlestar, had a particularly tough last season.
I rarely see the channel listed in the top Nielsen cable ratings.