Willravel

SCI FI Channel to become Syfy; “Imagine Greater” is new message | SCI FI Wire

This is phucking stoopid. It's bad enough that we get a "giant animal of the week" movie featuring the worst of B-movie stars, but now they're abandoning the defining characteristic of the network? I know they're scared about Battlestar ending, and for good reason, but to go through a midlife crisis is the last thing they need.

Sci-Fi channel, instead of marketing, maybe you can dump some money and talent into a faithful adaptation of the Foundation series or the Martian Chronicles. Remember Dune and Children of Dune? Now remember Super Raptor Island 6 staring the dad from Growing Pains or the 12th time you used Jonas Quin? Frack.

Wyodiver33

I never got into BG. Not that I wasn't willing to try, just, before I knew it, I had missed too many episodes. But I used to like Sci Fi for Enterprise, SG1, etc. And I occasionally will still catch a show every once in a while. But, like you pointed out, Willravel, the giant critter shows started getting out of hand. The end, for me at least, was the inclusion of "Professional Wrestling" to their lineup. I absolutely hate wrastlin'. If others like it, fine. But what it's doing on Sci Fi I will NEVER understand. So I've pretty much given up on the network. Now, with the name change and further bizarre programming choices I might as well just block the channel. Sad. And adding "reality" shows? Um, I think we have enough of those now, thanks. I hate them more than wrastlin'. Ugh.

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telekinetic

I like the new change. Now it won't piss me off so bad that timeslots that could have TNG reruns have instead been filled with "Ghost Hunter: Can you believe we made this whole episode for $30?"

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twisted no more

Willravel

I couldn't agree more. It's just violent soap opera for teenage boys, and it has no place in the same genre as Ender's Game and Dune and 2001.

At this point, I'm starting to think it's a miracle that Farcape and Battlestar were able to squeak through and get on the air.

SecretMethod70

That's the silver lining here. It hasn't really been a Sci-Fi channel for awhile, so at least they're no longer pretending.

Honestly, I've pretty much always thought the Sci-Fi channel sucked. The only show I've ever liked is Battlestar Galactica, and even if I liked Farscape and Stargate, those are only three shows. I realize it's the "in" thing for cable channels to try their hand at original programming, but the Sci-Fi channel was much better overall when it concentrated on syndicated Sci-Fi classics. Just a couple original shows, plus lots of Star Trek, Lost in Space, and Doctor Who reruns are all they really need. Sure, it wouldn't make huge profits, but I'd think they'd be better off making modest but consistent profits over the huge dip they're going to take now that BSG and Stargate are gone.

As for the rebranding, that's pretty terrible too. Do they think the people who are turned off by the name Sci-Fi are going to somehow be duped by the name SyFy? Fuck no. So, they've managed to give up their brand without getting anything new out of it.

Funny thing is, when onodrim and I read about the rebranding - totally separate from each other - we came to the exact same conclusion: why call it a stupid name like SyFy? Why not rename the network "Imagine?" It fits their expressed goals much better, and the word was clearly on their mind already.

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Willravel

Some day, we'll start a legitimate entertainment source for science fiction. Deal?

For now, we have great science fiction literature, BSG, and io9.

inBOIL

When I first saw the title, I thought it was pronounced "siffy". And Will, don't give them any ideas about a Martian Chronicles movie. You know they won't do it right, up to and including gratuitous T&A. A MC adaptation should be left to someone who has a chance in hell of creating something that isn't an abomination.

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FuglyStick

I like the crappy horror films. If there was a horror channel, I'd never watch SyFy or whatever they call themselves.

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Willravel

They did a really great job with Dune, though. Serious actors, serious director, serious soundtrack, serious digital effects, and it was a lot more faithful to the source material than the 1984 Dune. If they were to put that kind of time and talent on a Martian Chronicles adaptation, it could really redeem the channel in the eyes of science fiction fans, not to mention boost ratings (Dune gave SciFi some of the best ratings in their history) and let people know that the channel will still exist after BSG is finished.

fresnelly

I actually think "SyFy" is just a first step towards a complete format change for the channel. I bet that within a few months to a year, they'll change the name again to something else and break all connection with the original format.

I'm guessing the ultimate goal is a broad based "Male, Aged 16-25" channel like Spike.

At least in Canada we still have the SPACE channel, even though sometimes it feels like they show Stargate and Stargate: Atlantis back to back 24/7.

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Cynthetiq

Cable companies upfronts have been more and more dismal each passing year as companies spend less advertising on cable TV and finding other places to capture their demographic's dollars.

I'm not surprised by such a move.

You see radio stations doing it all the time.

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Wyodiver33

At least in the US, I don't think TV networks will be happy until all programing consists of "Reality" TV, Wrestling/UFC, COPS, etc. Shows like that cost nothing compared to Battlestar Galactica, Friends, etc. (Just used Friends as an example because towards the end each star was getting a million USD a show) It's really sad. And I read recently that in the UK "Reality" shows are quite popular. As a citizen of the US, I just want to apologize to the rest of the world for my country "dumbing" you down. "Reality" shows and Wrestling are the two most obnoxious things on TV, IMHO. ByBy SyFy.

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Lasereth

Just LOLed at work.

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shakran

Lawl. Eye agri. Bad muv.

Bah. Get the rights to TNG and Voyager (and run the originals, rather than the edited-for-more-commercial-space versions, then rerun the V miniseries. That'll keep 'em afloat for awhile. Xfiles would be a good one too.

SecretMethod70

Syence fyction: because geeks are inhuman | CliqueClack TV

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Willravel

They've got the rights to a ton of great shows. Sliders, Space: Above and Beyond, Quantum Leap, Enterprise (yes, it's on my list of great shows. Deal with it), X-Files, TNG,The Outer Limits, Lost, etc., not to mention originals like Farscape, Stargate, BSG, and Eureka.

All they need to get are Babylon 5, Doctor Who (pre-2001), Mystery Science Theater, and Firefly. And yes, V.

If they were smart, they'd replay Buffy. Yes, I know it's more fantasy, but it turned into quite an interesting show.

Cynthetiq

I'm not quite sure they still have all those rights will, they may have reverted and/or only been for just a short window. From their lineup currently they have Enterprise, X-Files, STNG, Outer Limits.... too expensive to just have rights to air, and not air them.

V is being remade, i don't recall who is doing it.

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Willravel

I know they have Lost. That's kinda a big deal. If they could steal Heroes from G4, they'd have something.

And they should be competing for Kings, the pilot was pretty decent.

Cynthetiq

Spike (owned by MTV/Viacom) seems to be gaining ground in the male demographic. I think that's the switch and why you see the pander of the ECW. WWE has a deal with MTV Networks so this was the next to appeal to the market.

Maybe Charlatan can talk more about the actual purchase of shows since I believe that's what he does out in SE Asia. I only know about format producing (using time compression and editing to create more time for commercial spots) rights and contracts part after the fact. I've not worked with the acquisitions departments all that closely.

But you do have to understand that there's a scarcity that can't be held off anymore which drives up the price and desire to rewatch shows. Beyond the torrents, web released shows ala Hulu, on demand, and you've got DVD sales.

It is a crazy time as far as cable channels are concerned because their window for shows is so small and tight.

and I keep forgetting to add this to each comment....

if syfy is the new name, then maybe it should be EMTeeVee.... but seriously even MTV is languishing not so much because they don't play music videos, but now they don't even play music related content, the heights, sweet16, quinceiniera.... those aren't music. It's lifestyle.

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I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

cdwonderful

I thought it was a chinese cooking channel now.
Stir fry......

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Willravel

I'd use FX as an example of a success story. The Shield, Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me, 30 Days, Over There, Always Sunny, Damages, and now Sons of Anarchy? Jeez.

As great as Spike is doing, their original programming (TNA, Factory, 1000 Ways to Die, Pros vs. Joes, Manswers) leaves a lot to be desired. They're more of a marketing success.

I'd rather SciFi be like FX than Spike.

Cynthetiq

FX has a parent company with deep pockets and can try to use a cable outlet for original programming, all their other channels aren't the right location for it, real estate TV, NatGeo, etc.

SciFi while owned by NBC has many other cable outlets to sell their overflow of original programming, Bravo, USA, Sleuth, Oxygen.

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I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

mrklixx

What I always thought they should do was pick up scifi series that were canceled by other networks for new episodes instead of running the reruns of those same shows. I'm betting Firefly would have had an SG-1 type run had it been picked up by Sci-Fi. I think they would be a much better network if they were able to run new original programming 5 nights a week.

Oh, and too bad they aren't owned by fox because the obvious perfect name would be Skynet.

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I hate animated avatars.

Wyodiver33

Hey, as long as syfy has plenty of reality shows and wrastlin', 85% of Americans will be quite happy. And the network will do fine. People who actually want programming that requires an IQ of at least 75 to enjoy are becoming scarce. I'm not trying to be negative. I just feel that the vast majority of people, after working all day or whatever, just don't want to think any more. It's sad, but the networks are definitely taking advantage of it. And they save huge amounts of money in production. Even though I'm fighting it tooth and nail, we are all being programmed to be thoughtless zombies. Mmmmm...Brains!

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Sue

While I don't like the new name at all, as long as Ghost hunters stays on, I'm fine with it.

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noodle

I'm so glad for this thread. I've been trying to figure out what "seefee" is all day.
not cool.

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shakran

mst3k is problematic to air anymore because the makers of those terrible movies the show is based on have figured out that people like to watch their movies as long as Joel/Mike and the 'bots are making fun of them, and have gotten greedy about the royalties. Basically if you air an MST3K you have to pay royalties to the rights-holder of the movie, and to the rights-holder for MST3K, and who the hell would want to be stiffed with an extra royalty fee for Manos Hands of Fate?

Cynthetiq

and that's how they kill the goose that lays the golden rotten eggs....

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I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

Willravel

Considering the likely cost, I'd be willing to foot the bill for This Island Earth and Night of the Lepus if it meant MST3K could come back. I want that show to be on for my children and my children's children.

cdwonderful

you soooo funny! and soooo right!

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Never try to teach a pig to whistle
it wastes your time,
and annoys the pig.....

Sue

I watched only 1 episode of that, and it cracked me the fuck up I should watch more of it.

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Willravel

Myster Science Theater 3000 Streaming
And, if you want more, some of the people involved are still doing what they do best:
Welcome to RiffTrax! | RiffTrax

Cynthetiq

thanks that's a winner link

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I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

m0rpheus

Will, you sir are awesome.

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Willravel

It would be inhuman for me to hoard "Santa Claus conquers the Martians" all for myself. Or "The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies". Art should be appreciated!