# Sci-Fi becomes SyFy **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 16, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628 "2009-03-16T15:46:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/61 "2009-03-16T19:57:48Z")
> [@tanstaafl](#): > > Actually, I think the next change NBC/Universal will make will be to rename one of their other channels to “You Essay”. No, that’s Telemundo. ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/62 "2009-03-16T20:02:34Z")
“Syfy” Incredible marketing fail. Do self-professed geeks with some background/context on what’s being sold not infiltrate these professions at all? ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/63 "2009-03-16T20:09:19Z")
Sigh. Fie!! ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/64 "2009-03-16T20:17:18Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Wow, that is pretty much a textbook example of failed marketing. In addition to alienating your core customers (ie science fiction and fantasy fans) you are creating an incomprehensible brand for yourself that no one will understand or associate with anything. > > The SciFi Channel has always been terrible though. Other than Battlestar Galactica and maybe Eureka do they ever have anything worth watching? Every time I turn past it, it’s made for TV movies like Megashark 4 or Alien Supergator 3. > > Who cares if it doesn’t appeal to the female audience? They have We or Oxygen or Lifetime. The problem with cable tv is that it is loosing it’s specialized programming and rapidly turning into a hundred variations of USA Network. This particular member of the female audience doesn’t watch We or Oxygen or Lifetime. Of course, I don’t watch TV much anyway. I would watch a great deal more, if there was something worth watching available. While the stereotypical F/SF reader/consumer is a geeky teenage male, that hasn’t been the fact for decades. Long gone are the days when Alice Mary Norton had to adopt a male nom de plume in order to get her books published, carried, and sold. > [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > When cable networks change their names like this, it almost always means they are abandoning their original mission and going for whatever programming they can sell. Look for a marked decrease of SF on the channel, perhaps even its total absence. I’ve never seen much SF or fantasy on the SciFi channel. I have seen a lot of total crap, though. > [@dropzone](#): > > Bah. SF was just a lame attempt to class up the genre. Speculative Fiction was even more pretentious. Science Fiction and Sci-Fi have a long and glorious history and we should be proud to use them. I’ll use science fiction, but NOT sci-fi. My grandfather (who introduced me to the genre, and aided and abetted my reading of it) taught me better. SF is a way of distinguishing between “Alien Supergator” and “Enemy Mine”. One is sci-fi, the other is SF. Sci-fi was an abbreviation of science fiction originally, but it has come to mean (to some of us) that part of SF/fantasy that is total crap. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/65 "2009-03-16T20:35:55Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Sigh. Fie!! Winner. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/66 "2009-03-16T20:39:30Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > I’ll use science fiction, but NOT sci-fi. My grandfather (who introduced me to the genre, and aided and abetted my reading of it) taught me better. SF is a way of distinguishing between “Alien Supergator” and “Enemy Mine”. One is sci-fi, the other is SF. Sci-fi was an abbreviation of science fiction originally, but it has come to mean (to some of us) that part of SF/fantasy that is total crap. Except it hasn’t. The only people that think sci-fi means “low grade science fiction” as opposed to “all science fiction” are the people that already hate sci-fi as a term. ---
**Author:** ![Mahna\_Mahna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Mahna\_Mahna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahna_Mahna)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/67 "2009-03-16T20:40:30Z")
Given that their new tagline is “Imagine Greater”, I’m guessing there’s been a marked decrease in the collective IQ of the bigwigs at Sci-Fi errr… SyFy. (tho I suppose it’s just barely better than “Think Different”) ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/68 "2009-03-16T21:13:51Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > My grandfather (who introduced me to the genre, and aided and abetted my reading of it) taught me better. SF is a way of distinguishing between “Alien Supergator” and “Enemy Mine”. One is sci-fi, the other is SF. Sci-fi was an abbreviation of science fiction originally, but it has come to mean (to some of us) that part of SF/fantasy that is total crap. It just takes some teaching to dispel the misconceptions. Still, it raises my hackles whenever I describe my enthusiasm for interspecies erotic burlesque and someone dares call it a “donkey show.” ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/69 "2009-03-16T21:26:01Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Been like that for a while already, ain’t it? Actually, no. Although there has been SOME marginal programming, the vast majority of the SciFi Channel’s programming has been SciFi and fantasy. Check the schedule sometime. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/70 "2009-03-16T21:36:12Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > Maybe SyFy is trying to appeal to all the hardcore feminist womyn. That’s “fymynyst wymyn,” pig-toad! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/71 "2009-03-16T21:41:04Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > I’ve never seen much SF or fantasy on the SciFi channel. I have seen a lot of total crap, though. Let’s see, I’m watching Enterprise right now, Stargate SG-1 is coming up, Star Trek TNG is gonna be on for three hours on prime time … really, you people need to start reading the schedule … ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/72 "2009-03-16T21:47:22Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Wow, that is pretty much a textbook example of failed marketing. In addition to alienating your core customers (ie science fiction and fantasy fans) you are creating an incomprehensible brand for yourself that no one will understand or associate with anything. > > The SciFi Channel has always been terrible though. Other than Battlestar Galactica and maybe Eureka do they ever have anything worth watching? Every time I turn past it, it’s made for TV movies like Megashark 4 or Alien Supergator 3. > > Who cares if it doesn’t appeal to the female audience? They have We or Oxygen or Lifetime. The problem with cable tv is that it is loosing it’s specialized programming and rapidly turning into a hundred variations of USA Network. Holy shit, don’t sentence me to watching that shite … I cant handle estrogen driven programming. I am more inclined to grab a horror or action flick when our scrounging movies. My idea of hell would be a 24 hour rotation of 27 Dresses, Wedding Planner and anything with Nora Roberts in the title…:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ad7895/32.png) [@Just\_Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/73 "2009-03-16T22:03:27Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > Let’s see, I’m watching Enterprise right now, Stargate SG-1 is coming up, Star Trek TNG is gonna be on for three hours on prime time … really, you people need to start reading the schedule … As she said, crap. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/74 "2009-03-16T22:03:36Z")
Speaking as a Geek and a Dysfunctional Fanboy, I’m insulted. (I live in my own house, but I spend as much time in the basement as possible, to make up for it.) The SciFi channel has come up with some good programming (picking up MST3K, The Dune miniseries), a lot of stuff I don’t care for but a lot of people like (BSG, f’rinstance), some attempted SF/Fantasy that turned out bad (Riverworld, Earthsea), and lots of absolute garbage. But at least they sorta kinda tried to do science fiction. Now they’re the Wrestling Ghost network. I expect to see Scooby-Doo. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/75 "2009-03-16T22:20:12Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > But that implication is really just a concocted wiseguy thing. Obviously, SciFi wants a brand that it can use for cross-platform marketing and cross-licensing. I’m not saying that they’re planning to sell soft drinks and athletic gear, but what would be the point of their even entering the business if anyone else could undercut them because their brand name is a generic term? That might be a legitimate concern if there were even the slightest possibility of such a thing happening. Under what imaginable circumstances would this occur? ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/76 "2009-03-16T22:30:32Z")
Well, that settles that. Let’s all go over to G4, that channel will never do anything like thi… Oh. You mean, it’s no longer " TV for gamers" ? "but rather “TV thats plugged in” ? [[I mean, aren’t all TVs plugged in?]] (Ok, I was gonna joke about this, but actually typing THAT tag line, sounds kinda stupid out of context now. ) The point remains, the “other” geek channel wouldnt Canibalize itsel… Oh, yeah, it did. Anyone else in here up for getting Revision 3 and Twit back on TV ? ((You should know what I mean, I want Leo, Pat, and Kevin Rose back on TV)) Funny. I thought TV would die out in time. I didnt think “The Suits” would accelerate the demise. But Seriously, G4 is turning more and more into what Sci Fi was. G4 has Current season LOST and Heroes. It did have some Episodes of Star Trek for a while… But Syfy? I give that name a month; 1. It will go back 2. The channel will die completely. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/77 "2009-03-16T22:43:06Z")
After reading the press release: * * * [SNIP] Syfy ushers in a new era of unlimited imagination, exceptional experiences and greater entertainment that paves the way for us to truly become a global lifestyle brand." Syfy – unlike the generic entertainment category “sci-fi” - firmly establishes a uniquely ownable trademark that is portable across all non-linear digital platforms and beyond, from Hulu to iTunes. Syfy also creates an umbrella brand name that can extend into new adjacent businesses under the Syfy Ventures banner, such as Syfy Games, Syfy Films and Syfy Kids. Additionally, as the Channel’s footprint expands rapidly around the globe, aiming to reach more than 50 international channels by the end of next year, Syfy meets the need of a globally relevant, trademarkable brand that stands for something unique to the brand in each territory. ## [SNIP] Ok. If they are going to pull a " Wii " Like name, that will stay the same across languages and cultures, then they might have an actual valid reason to do this. I hate the Name. Hopefully the Direction won’t go the same way. Then again, it is kinda Ironic that the one thing that changed from the " if " Advertising was not the items in metamorphosis but the Brand name. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/78 "2009-03-16T22:48:24Z")
> [@anu-la1979](#): > > “Syfy” > > Incredible marketing fail. Do self-professed geeks with some background/context on what’s being sold not infiltrate these professions at all? Apparently not in marketing. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/79 "2009-03-16T22:50:34Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Bah. SF was just a lame attempt to class up the genre. Speculative Fiction was even more pretentious. Science Fiction and Sci-Fi have a long and glorious history and we should be proud to use them. If you don’t use scientifiction you’re a neofan. If it’s good enough for Uncle Hugo, it’s good enough for me. 🙂 SF is just an abbreviation. I believe Heinlein liked Speculative Fiction back in the '50s, but I’ll have to look up his article in the Advent collection to be sure. It did get turned a bit pretentious during New Wave time, I’ll grant you. But as for sci-fi, I don’t recall any magazine with the term “sci-fi” in its title. I don’t have any in my collection, and I’ve been through the Day Checklist often enough that I think I’d remember seeing one. It might have honest roots, but today it stands for crap. I vaguely recall Harlan Ellison going quite batshit about the term. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628/80 "2009-03-16T22:53:28Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Apparently not in marketing. Hey, I DID graduate with a degree in Marketing back in Dec 2007. I’m Trying to get into advertising. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-becomes-syfy/489628.md?page=5)