The Sci-Fi Channel, having managed to cancel practically every show it’s ever run that could be considered science fiction, has decided to rebrand itself as “SyFy”.
What would possess them to change their name to this silly word? They really dislike their base (well at least the base they acknowledge):
“The name Sci Fi has been associated with geeks and dysfunctional, antisocial boys in their basements with video games and stuff like that, as opposed to the general public and the female audience in particular,” said TV historian Tim Brooks, who helped launch Sci Fi Channel when he worked at USA Network. (source)
They don’t like science fiction either as it doesn’t jive with fantasy.
“If you ask people their default perceptions of Sci Fi, they list space, aliens and the future,” he added. “That didn’t capture the full landscape of fantasy entertainment: the paranormal, the supernatural, action and adventure, superheroes.” (source)
I was talking to my husband a couple of days ago about cancelling part of our cable package as the kid now watches PBS & the only thing we really watch on the higher channels is BSG, which ends this week. The choice just got a lot easier to make.
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What, you don’t want to admit watching a channel you’d have to pronounce “Siffie”?
I doubt they could get as bad as Fox canceling Firefly, but, indeed, this is pretty embarrassing. I might cancel my cable upgrade, as well.
Praise Hulu!
I can see Fox canceling Firefly (much to intelligent for their audience), but “SeeFee” canceling Farscape? (insert rant) & then inserting wrestling (insert much cussing) after killing Stargate: SG1 (sorry, but I love the franchise)? It makes me furious.
Yeah, I was extremely disappointed when Sci-fi canceled Farscape. I ended up buying the DVDs. That was an awesome show.
What do you think about Dollhouse so far?
I haven’t watched Dollhouse yet. I think it comes on when I’m watching something else.
This might be their dumbest move yet but we won’t be around to see it through.
SciFi has gotten worse and worse over the past few years. It used to be my favorite channel and I still have fun watching the occasional (really bad) SciFi Original Movie for the pure camp. However, when they added wrestling, I was disgusted. As you said, they seem to have a great disdain for (what used to be) their core audience. Changing the name to “SyFy” (how absurd) isn’t going to magically bring in a fresh audience of the general public and females. I suspect it will simply drive away folks like you and me and the other commenters here.
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