After nearly 17 years on the air, SCI FI Channel in the United States is changing its name. So what will the new moniker be? What word will help it stand out in the competitive cable market, as a channel that is about more than space ships and time travel? Is it something to do with “Imagination?” Or “Fantasy?” Or “Possibility?”
Nope. The channel is rebranding itself as: Syfy Channel.
The New York Times reports that the network will roll out its new name in its advertiser upfronts tomorrow, and officially make the switch on July 7.
Gone too is the Saturn logo. New is the tagline “Imagine Greater.”
The network’s genre-leading Web site, SciFi.com, will also make the switch.
The main reason for the change, according to Bonnie Hammer, former head of the network and now president of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment and Universal Cable Productions, and her successor David Howe, is that the name “SCI FI” was too limiting.
“If you ask people their default perceptions of Sci Fi, they list space, aliens and the future,” Howe said. “That didn’t capture the full landscape of fantasy entertainment: the paranormal, the supernatural, action and adventure, superheroes” — areas of programming that have becoming increasingly important as the network has found ratings success with shows like Ghost Hunters, ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling, and Destination Truth.
But network chiefs hope that keeping the phonetically altered “Syfy” will also help them keep the fanboys and girls who are looking for traditional science fiction.
SCI FI had 95.2 million subscriber households and an estimated ad revenue of $423.9 million in 2008, according to media research company SNL Kagan, the Times said.
Science fiction news site SyFy Portal recently rebranded itself as Airlock Alpha, possibly a precursor to the network’s acquisition of the “Syfy” name. The change does allow the network to own the copyright on its own name — which it couldn’t do with a word as generic and widely used as “sci-fi.”
“We couldn’t own Sci Fi; it’s a genre,” Hammer said. “But we can own Syfy.”
“If I were texting, this is how I would spell it,” Howe said.
(Thanks to Mike and Morjana for the tip!)
NEXT: Read the network’s press release on Page 2
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I guess this is a good thing since, as the article mentions, SciFi has been moving further and further away from actual science fiction and related genres and into “sports entertainment” and BS reality shows.
jeffala | March 15 @ 10:02 pmI agree. Personally, the only reason I’ve watched that channel at all is because of Stargate. I can’t stand it otherwise. They’re all idiots anyway, as evidenced by their cancellation of Atlantis when it could have gone on for years just fine.
Kate Carter | March 15 @ 10:24 pmAs if changing their name is going to get more people to watch it. They haven’t been sci fi for a while now. They have become just another station. Nothing special. I find myself watching better made shows on other stations. Still missing Stargate..thank goodness for dvds.
Minnesota Fan | March 15 @ 10:32 pmI agree, jeffala. What this represents to me quite clearly is that Sci Fi (SyFy) is distancing itself from the science fiction and fantasy genres with which it made its name and are its heritage. I am deeply disappointed.
This move is no doubt to align with the transition of their content away from high-quality, thought-provoking futuristic drama and toward mindless fare like “pro” wrestling and the paranormal “reality” shows. I suppose I should be glad that the word part “sci” and the Saturn symbol will no longer have to be embarrassed by being superimposed on the same.
Mindless and paranormal has its place, but it is not science and it is not good dramatic fiction that engages your mind and imagination.
GateEngineer17 | March 15 @ 10:33 pmSci-Fi to SyFy? What’s that line… ‘A rose by any other name etc.’. The change is a much of a muchness. Sci-Fi or SyFy… really no change at all.
Their tagline is, of course, idiotic. “Imagine Greater”. Imagine greater what, exactly?
BYE
HBMC | March 15 @ 10:37 pmHaha, that is really stupid.
AutumnDream | March 15 @ 10:49 pmPfft. Hahha. I was expecting something more…well, creative? I mean, this Howe person said “If I were texting, this is how I would spell it”
From that you can tell that they’re trying to aim the network at younger people.
I am one of those younger people…but…I still find a name like “SyFy” really stupid.
They’re a bunch of idiots – cancelling a bunch of good shows. Changing the name doesn’t solve anything.
caramelmonkey | March 15 @ 11:20 pmI suppose the name “Sci Fi” could be considered “limiting,” in that it might actually cause the average viewer to expect you to broadcast, oh, I don’t know… science fiction? o.O
chandrimac | March 15 @ 11:34 pmheh.. ooookay, interesting. Maybe that will help them justify airing wrestling shows. Where does that fit in the “ full landscape of fantasy entertainment: the paranormal, the supernatural, action and adventure, superheroes”. Hmm.. do they consider wrestlers to be superheros? *ugh* Oh well, I only watched Scifi for Stargate and while I’ll be giving SGU a chance, I dont expect the honeymoon to last. ;) So, I guess it doesn’t really matter to me. ;)
SGAFan | March 15 @ 11:39 pmSo if “SyFy” eventually moves completely away from it’s roots, is there any other network that primarily plays science fiction?
jiklar | March 16 @ 12:57 amSyFy? Is that a bad joke? Fyyyyy!
universacred | March 16 @ 1:21 amWow, what a dumb idea. It was fine the way it was. Anyway, like a lot of other people here, the only thing I will ever watch on Sci-Fi channel is Stargate. I really wish MGM could have found another channel after the whole SG-1 cancellation, we’re gonna take our ball and go home debacle. It was rediculous how much power sci-fi exerts over the shows it had. The sudden cancellation of Farscape, then SG-1. Part of the reason MGM canceled Atlantis is possibly so they could end it on their own terms for once instead of at the whim of Sci-Fi Channel. Oh wait, I’m sorry, SyFy. I think “see fee” when I read that :P
alteran1 | March 16 @ 1:55 amlol. how lame
Trak90 | March 16 @ 2:00 amSyFy: Sci-Fi for people who can’t spell.
halohunter | March 16 @ 3:28 amwoah! They’re changing their name from Sci-Fi, to SyFy! Huge change
Jedi_Master_Bra'tac | March 16 @ 3:54 amWell I suppose it’s no longer skiffy
Jedi_Master_Bra'tac | March 16 @ 3:54 amSyfy? Whaha. I laught myself almost dead when I read that. Just keep it Sci-fi, or come up with another name. Syfy is the same as Sci-fi only now you write it like you say it.
MrBlueEyes | March 16 @ 4:42 am—–Science fiction news site SyFy Portal recently rebranded itself as Airlock Alpha, possibly a precursor to the network’s acquisition of the “Syfy” name. The change does allow the network to own the copyright on its own name — which it couldn’t do with a word as generic and widely used as “sci-fi.”—-
How interesting. I bet SyFy Portal squeeze some money from Sci_Fi Channel, in return for changin’ name.
Worf | March 16 @ 4:58 amThis whole change reminds me on UPN, which alco changed name and forsaken Star Trek franchice, franchise on which they built their crappy network (especially with Voyager).
Worf | March 16 @ 5:00 amIt’s not just Sci-Fi anymore, it’s…. SyFy-ish!
My vote for a new SyFy planet logo would be “dwarf planet asteroid #134340″ (look it up).
Forget “Imagine Greater”. Poor tagline.That’s like the hero telling the villian holding a hostage over a cliff, “Let her go”.
Maybe we should all do the heroic thing and go imagine something greater, elsewhere.
Who is with on starting our own Sci-Fi cable channel?. Long live the Public Access channel!!!
Puddle Splasher | March 16 @ 7:01 amWhat a rubbish name. Seriously have ever thought that the reason people do not their pathetic little channel is because apart from SGA and SGC is that content is rather dull when compared to other cable channels. Plus the way they split there content up is just terrible, six months almost for eps of BSG and Eureka its just sums up what wrong with the channel.
knowles2 | March 16 @ 7:16 amWell, looks like forshadowing to come…Can you say more “Fakeality” and wrestling. -_- I hope this doesn’t affect future shows Caprica, SGU, etc..
Orion Coran | March 16 @ 7:28 amlooks like some on over at the onion got on board of directors.
sinisterdeath | March 16 @ 7:42 amI’ve always known the Sci-Fi Channel head honchos were idiots. This just proves my case.
Mana | March 16 @ 8:07 amHere’s my comment on Sci Fi Wire:
Dear Sci Fi Channel (I REFUSE to acknowledge the incredibly lame new name and tag-line – it’s almost as bad my city’s tag-line – “Cleveland Plus…”),
I think it’s time to fire your executives, your advertising agency, and most of your staff. This is about the most ridiculous thing I’ve EVER seen. Do you not realize how STUPID this new “wonderful” concept of your is?! Where in hell do you pick up these people and absolutely horrible ideas? I mean, seriously, these people WAY overpaid for their degrees!!
Please leave the name the way it is. It’s great, we all love it, and we ALL hate this new plan of yours. The above (and probably below) comments ALL show this. There is not even ONE positive comment here.
Get rid of your ridiculous “reality” shows (Ghosthunters and Ghosthunters International? Seriously?! Do you hate and disrespect your audience THAT MUCH?!). Get rid of the wrestling. This isn’t Spike. It’s Sci Fi. We ALL expect INTELLIGENT and thoughtful shows, NOT the crap you’ve been trying to feed us. You’ve screwed up some wonderful shows (Sliders) and ended wonderfully successful ones (Stargates SG-1 and Atlantis, Battlestar Galactica, and others), and have ignored pleas from your viewership in the name of the Almighty Dollar you THINK you’re making by completely screwing up this channel.
I remember when this channel first premiered. It was FANTASTIC! All the old shows were great to watch again. I remember when you started offering fresh new series, or picking up ones continuing from other channels (except for Sliders – you REALLY screwed that one up). It was great to have a Sci Fi safe haven, a channel one could almost always tune to, regardless of time of day, and watch something worth watching. Now, I only watch about an hour of Sci Fi per week. Currently, that hour happens to be BSG. In April, it’ll be Eureka (assuming you ever bring it back – what the hell happened to the 21 episodes we were promised this season?!). At times, there might be two or three hours worth watching, but that’s about it. Now, nearly every time I flip to Sci Fi, I get that idiotic wrestling (seriously – we’re not beer-drinking idiots!) or some other stupid “reality” show. And DON’T make Stargate Universe be as stupid as it sounds (I mean, really! The whole POINT of Stargate is IN THE NAME, so WHY are you sticking people on a ship a la Star Trek: Voyager). Bring back wonderful shows like Farscape.
Please, just bring back SCI FI as it was meant to be. DON’T change the name. Get rid of the stupidity and start offering thoughtful and entertaining shows again.
I don’t know where you found all these people to come and dictate to us what WE want to watch. I’ve seen stats that your viewership is going DOWN. Did you know the definition of insanity is repeating the same act over and over, hundreds of times, in the hopes of an eventual DIFFERENT outcome? Each time you guys change the format of the channel, you lose some of us. So why do you think this is going to be different?
Now, if you guys want to just quit BEING a Science Fiction channel, why not just tell us, go away, and leave the market open for media groups that WANT to offer a true and pure Science Fiction channel? That’d be fine with me and, I’m sure, with pretty much everyone else here.
Again, we’re not watching Sci Fi because we want a Spike-like channel. We want thoughtful and enjoyable Science Fiction. In truth, I wouldn’t even object if you offered more fantasy as well. They go hand-in-hand. But knock off the other crap, for God’s sake!!!
Thank you,
A concerned and, quite possibly, soon to be ex-viewer of the Sci Fi AND SYFY channel
ulic1234 | March 16 @ 8:39 am