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Syfy

22 Ratings: 2.3
Specialty Channel on All Major Cable Networks

 The Syfy Channel (previously the Scifi Channel) is a cable television channel that launched on September 24th 1992.  The Syfy Channel Specializes on in airing shows of the science fiction and fantasy genres and is part of the NBC Universal … see full wiki

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A Slap in the Face to its Fans, Scifi Changes its Name to "Syfy"

  • Jul 8, 2009
  • by
Rating:
+4
 Today marked a sad day in television history.  The Scifi Channel, abandoning its previous viewers and fans, changed its name to Syfy.  If I was writing this review back in March when Battlestar Galactica was still on and the channel was actually putting on some decent programming, I might have changed my rating to a 1.0.  Why so low still?  Because the folks over at NBC Universal/Syfy continue to bastardize their channel by canceling their TOP shows like Stargate: Atlantis and Battlestar Galactica.  Instead of keeping the show on that actually make people watch the channel, the cancel them and show some of the worst Saturday night Scifi movies ever to grace your TV.  So in a bold move to try and gain new viewers since they have driven away the very fans that were loyal to them, they changed their name to Syfy, not listening to...oh...MILLIONS of fans!

This wouldn't bother me as much if Syfy had a good reason to change the name, but they didn't and gave us fans of the network lame reasons like, 'people get confused as to what scifi means' or that 'using the scifi name gets us into copyright issues'.  The main reason in actuality that Scifi changed its name was because they knew fans were not watching the channel anymore after both Stargate programs and Battlestar Galactica got canceled.  I, like many other, barely watch the channel anymore mainly due to the fact that they get rid of all their flagship programming.  In truth, they abandoned their viewers to gain new ones, hoping that no one will know that it used to be the Scifi Channel.  And what are they doing to reboot the network tonight?  Debuting a show called Warehouse 13 that already has terrible reviews before even airing.  What does that sound like?  The same old crap that they have been airing when they were still Scfi without SG  and BSG.  Shame, Shame, Shame...

Sure, Syfy still has Sanctuary (starring Amanda Tapping who played Sam Carter on SG-1 and SGA) and Eureka, but these shows are barely ever on.  It seems like Eureka (coming back on Firday) is on once every two years and after Sanctuary's first season, season 2 which is confirmed, has yet to air. So what are fans left with?  TNG reruns and......more TNG reruns.  If you want to successfully re-launch a network, air some good programming, not stupid new shows like Warehouse 13.

That leads me into my next point.  Syfy is re-launching its brand.  Why not wait at least until you can air the upcoming Stargate Universe and Caprica.  Show something the fans are familiar with, it might actually bring some of us back to the channel.  It's 45 minutes until the premiere of Warehouse 13, what am I going to be doing?  Probably watching Kings, a show NBC canceled that Syfy could have picked up and brought to their "new" network.  It would fit right in.  Same goes for Terminator: The Sara Connor Chronicles.  This was another show that got canceled that would have fit right into the reboot.  I have to say that this is a pretty weak reboot for what used to be an amazing network.

I am holding my breath on Syfy for two reasons.  Stargate Universe and Caprica.  If those two shows end up being well done, which we have already seen Caprica can do, then I might be a born again syfy fan, but not right now.  You have really let me down and for now...you have lost a viewer.
Syfy: Imagine Greater

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July 10, 2009
(Last comment, sorry): I don't know about slap in the face. More like nudge in the ribs. They just want to trademark their brand, I don't see the harm. How they run their network is a different issue, regarding cancelling shows and so on. I still miss Dresden Files, but I don't have my panties in a bunch about it. Just sayin'. :)
July 10, 2009
To each their own my friend.
July 10, 2009
Sure, no problem.
July 13, 2009
Warehouse 13 looks promising. And the new promo spots for SyFy are actually well done and creative (having worked in TV years ago).
 
July 10, 2009
Could be worse, they could have called it SuFi. What bland and generic letters too.
July 10, 2009
Yeah, could'a been Soup & Nuts, too! Oh wait, let me look at that TV Guide again....
July 10, 2009
Or, Re-Fry. I think that's enough now...
 
July 10, 2009
oh, forgot to tell you, great entertaining write up, Husher.
July 10, 2009
Yeah, definitely an entertaining write-up, just that there's more to the name change than being frivolous. See the links I have below for the articles if you have time. Yes, ECW is still there, those funky horror movies on Saturday mornings and Star Trek: The Next Generation reruns! Caprica and Eureka and Universe, Sanctuary, and that funky new one I haven't seen yet. Lots of potential and fun.
July 10, 2009
So long as they don't touch my shows then they can call themselves "Sing-Nal" or "SHY-FRY" if they like.... I like Sanctuary and Eureka--miss Stargate though.
July 10, 2009
yeh those links were helpful.
 
July 09, 2009
It's true that initial reaction has been negative until you understand the reasoning behind it. 

Here's a more updated article from the Chicago Times. http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/...2jul02,0,1033720.column
 
July 09, 2009
OK, I did a bit more reading up and the name change does make sense, not only from a marketing point of view but to better define their brand. The SyFy Channel includes paranormal, supernatural and horror as well as science fiction. Also, they could not trademark "Sci-Fi". Makes sense to me. I will not be quick to judge and will check them out before reviewing. See this New York Times article on the name change. Makes sense to me, and I love the same shows you do, partner. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/business/m....html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
July 10, 2009
remember sci fi channel also has wrestling shows such as "ECW". They are still on right? Don't really care about name changes and stuff, so long as I get to watch Eureka and other low-budget brainless shows LOL!
 
July 09, 2009
I don't get it? Is it supposed to distance itself from "Science Fiction" because they think it will have broader appeal? If that is the purpose, then I don't think it achieves it. It just seems kind of random to me.
 
July 09, 2009
Good review, but your stress level's a bit high there, pal. I'm a big fan of all the Stargate incarnations and BSG. BSG was going to be canceled in any case by the writers who only wanted to do a limited number of seasons.
 
July 09, 2009
I'm not the biggest scifi fan, both the channel and the genre, but when I read about this name change on CNN, I thought, "BUH???",  I'm sure that huge fans were even more horrified and confused.  This looks like a lame attempt at being hip, but something tells me that in a few months, once people have gotten the chance to get over it, and accept it, that it's not really going to matter that much.

I agree with @Aisha though; Syfy would look better with a capital F!
 
July 09, 2009
"Syfy"... is that some kind of joke?
July 09, 2009
Unfortunately, it really isn't....
July 10, 2009
Let's call it "SHY-FRY"...LOL!
 
July 08, 2009
I think it would look better with a capital F.
 
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