SCI FI channel to become Syfy

[DPK]

http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/03/18/sci-fi-channel-being-rebranded-as-syfy/

Opinions? Thoughts? Comments?

I still can't figure out a good example or try to convince myself that this makes sense. The only reason they appear to be doing it is so they can trademark their network name, because you can't trademark a genre.

They are really the only sci fi network in my area on cable, but every year it's like they continually push their content further and further away from the entire point of being called the "SCI FI" network. Helloo.... wrestling is not sci fi.

I like this quote (http://scifi.about.com/b/2009/03/18/huh-news-of-the-week-sci-fi-becomes-syfy.htm):

Despite the fact that "syfy" sounds like the domain name you reluctantly choose if "scifi.com" is already taken, executives at the 16-year-old cable network enthused about the idea, saying it will open up all new vistas and possibilities.

Yes, because cable executives know exactly what everyone wants all the time. Idiots. Their network president (David Howe) basically bad mouthed their entire viewership:


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.

Way to kick everyone who supported you from the beginning when you were nothing in the groin.

[jongam]

It's so they can show more wrestling and ghost hunter shows and not have to worry about them not being Science Fiction shows. They're alienating their small core audience to branch out to a broader audience with cheaper to produce shows. It gripes me that networks do this, but this seems to be a trend with targeted cable stations. For instance, G4TV turning from a tech channel to showing Cops reruns all the time, MTV never playing music, and TLC morphing from The Learning Channel to shows about weddings and babies.

It all comes down to money. It's what's wrong with many television networks in my opinion. I get that they have to make a profit, but they do so at the expense of quality programming. Ultimately, it's a bad thing. The availability of more on demand and a la carte programming thanks to technology like Boxee will create a paradigm shift in the upcoming years, so hopefully this practice will change, much in the way the music industry is changing. When you can more easily access the quality content, it's easier to ignore the subpar content.