New Sci-Fi Channel Image
Sci-Fi executives knew people weren’t going to immediately like their rebranding, but they’re hoping viewers will come to accept it.
Next Tuesday, the 16-year-old network will officially change its name to Syfy to signify a new direction in its programming.
“We’re very lucky to have a consumer base who are very engaged and involved in what we do and feel like they have a stake in our brand,” network president Dave Howe told the Daily News Wednesday.
“We know they were fearful that we might be doing things that might not be the right thing for the genre or the brand, but when they see that we’re still embracing the genre, while also bringing in new viewers and occupying the total landscape of the sci-fi/fantasy genre, which includes supernatural and paranormal, I think they’ll get it.”
“There’s always a resistance to change,” Howe added. “But in a few years, no one will notice the difference.”
Tuesday’s switchover will be marked by an event at Rockefeller Plaza, where, along with Howe, network talent – including “Scare Tactics’” Tracy Morgan and “Stargate Universe’s” Lou Diamond Phillips – will open the “Imagination Playground,” where visitors can see props from Syfy shows and become familiar with the network’s new incarnation. There’ll also be free Wyfy (get it?).
Also on Tuesday, the network will launch its first official Syfy series, “Warehouse 13,” starring Eddie McClintock and Joanne Kelly as Secret Service agents assigned to a mysterious South Dakota warehouse full of fantastical objects and supernatural souvenirs.
“['Warehouse 13'] is the epitome of our new brand,” said Howe. “It’s a very relatable, accessible show with a very fun, unique concept, full of action, mystery, a sense of humor and smarts. I think people are really going to take to it.”
The network said yesterday it will also develop a remake of 1988 film “Alien Nation,” about a veteran cop and his extraterrestrial partner.
“It’s one of those timeless movies that we’ve looked at for several years, trying to figure how to make it relevant for a new generation,” Howe said.
In the wake of the finale of arguably the network’s most successful franchise, “Battlestar Galactica,” Syfy is looking ahead to “Battlestar” prequel “Caprica,” which it hopes can fill the void.
“‘Battlestar’ was an amazing ride for us. It’s a tough act to follow,” said Howe. “We’re cautiously optimistic about ‘Caprica,’ and we’re incredibly excited to bring a new audience to it. You don’t even need to have watched ‘Battlestar’ to watch it. It can stand on its own.”
ParanormalDailyNews’ take: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Sci-Fi Channel is owned by GE’s NBC Universal, who has been known to make poor decisions left and right. Here’s an example of one… NBCU’s CEO, Jeff Zucker, asked Steve Jobs for a % of iPod sales, because he believes their network’s content helps to sell iPods, right! Additionally, he wanted NBC shows to sell on iTunes for $4.99 each. Jobs was insulted and immediately removed all NBC shows from the iTunes library. Several months later Jeff “the sucker” Zucker came crawling back.
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This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard – The name looks really faggy too
Ugh! Horrible – what were they thinking?