A friend pointed this (http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/03/sci_fi_channel_aims_to_shed_ge.php) out to me about a week ago.

LAME.

oh come on WTF
I agree very lame. Don't they know that geek = hawt today?

They're on crack if they think they can make much of that geeky stuff have mainstream appeal. Stupid to alienate their core audience over a fool's errand.

Sci Fi and G-4 are my 2 main channels....

*sigh*

Or maybe that will be spelt *sygh* now.

My interest was piqued by the "MMO interactive programming" project. Might be worth keeping tabs on that. As for the name..../shrug.

Goddamn geek persecution.
Rather than run from being associated with geeks, how about spending adverts on associating geek culture with cool?

Especially since sci fi execs are notorious for making bad movies whose only redeeming quality IS that very subject matter they seem to want to avoid the negative connotations of, and slaughtering their good series one season too early.

Disregard..... re-read entire article after skimming it...

























LAME LAME LAME

They're on crack if they think they can make much of that geeky stuff have mainstream appeal. Stupid to alienate their core audience over a fool's errand.That was my reaction. I don't like being spoken to like an idiot, which means I hate most advertising. How stupid do they really think people are?

They might examine their programming if they think they have trouble with audience draw. They don't really show that much...just a couple of shows, and lots and lots of re-runs, usually of burned out shows or shows that were never that great to begin with. There is plenty of mainstream sci-fi out there - Transformers, Buffy, Jericho, Fringe, X-Files - to justify NBC bringing in solid shows, and stop staking all the good programming late Friday night, assuming us geeks never go out on the weekends.

did anyone read the comments posted from the article, lol
i don't think i will be watching that channel now that bsg isn't on anymore.
and i really don't think alienating your core audience is going to help them with their ratings or their advertising revenue. there's already enough channels with reality tv and failed movies to choose from. i don't watch them either.

I'll keep watching as I'm a scifi *err SyFy* geek through and through. I think this marketing stunt is flat out stupid.

You'd think that just by taking a peek at the comments in that thread, even the densest network monkey, even if they'd summarily ignored and spat upon their audience up until that point, might have second thoughts about how 'good' an idea this is.

"I know, let's water down the only distinguishing charateristic that identifies us as anything different than 75 other schlock second-run cable channels. How can this possibly fail?"

"Mansquito" indeed... ;)

Regards,
Nydia

Actually they are changing the name because they want to do more Ghost Hunters type stuff. And they don't feel SciFi really advertises that type of entertainment. That said it is still dumb.

This change shows one thing(that we all already know): geeks and nerds on the internet overreact and throw hissy fits over the most miniscule things.

Hell, I didn't even know SciFi had many viewers left, almost everything on that channel has been terrible for years. Though now that of their top 2 rated shows, one is finished and the other is pro wrestling (though it's arguably the most interesting pro wrestling show on tv), I can see why they might want to make a change. That ghost hunters crap actually does seem to have more mainstream appeal.

as long as Eureka come back on TV i can live.

Actually SciFi Channel has been steadly increasing it's viewship for years. This change is just a bad marketing idea , likely by some non sci fi fan who is now in his first VP position and trying to degeek his title.

What they really needed to do--before it was too late (it's probably too late now)--is commission a second season of Firefly to premiere on the Sci Fi channel. Can you imagine what that would do for viewership? They wouldn't even need a big advertising campaign, since Firefly fans are more than happy to spread the word themselves.
http://abstrusegoose.com/24

Oh hell that would be nice!!

They're on crack if they think they can make much of that geeky stuff have mainstream appeal. Stupid to alienate their core audience over a fool's errand.

They already have the audience. What they don't have is the advertisers. Their re-branding has absolutely nothing to do with the audience.

Because if they have a goofy sounding new name, they'll suddenly be able to line up Claritin advertising to show a viewship that doesn't go outside!

as long as Eureka come back on TV i can live.

I need to watch this show. I hear it is really good.


I would totally be down for more Firefly but would be overwhelmed with joy if there could be more FarScape!

Because if they have a goofy sounding new name, they'll suddenly be able to line up Claritin advertising to show a viewship that doesn't go outside!

They are having a very tough time selling ad space to things that don't seem trecky. Its not my reasoning, its theirs *shrug*.

i have choked on food and done more diet coke spittakes watching Eureka than any other show, its clever and the subtle yet amazing humor at times is great, on top of the open slap stick the sheriff endures.

They are having a very tough time selling ad space to things that don't seem trecky. Its not my reasoning, its theirs *shrug*.

Says?