Sci Fi Channel Aims to Shed Geeky Image With New Name

[renfairephotog]

Sci Fi Channel Aims to Shed Geeky Image With New Name

"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," said TV historian Tim Brooks, who helped launch Sci Fi Channel when he worked at USA Network.

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/03/sci_fi_channel_aims_to_shed_ge.php

[jcbanner]

so first they try and chase me out by playing shows that are definitely NOT SciFi, (or even fantasy which gets billed as sci-fi half the time) all the time. Wrestling? really? they've already stated what their demographic audience is, and its not one that's big on wrestling more often then not.  but now I'm not good enough? 

Despite it being among the top ten for a VERY large group, and what did they say, 13% of total viewers watch this channel, they want to try and break away from the image that they projected on to me?  I may be an outsider to clics, but I definitely don't fit the "geeky" stereotype.  I'm both offended that they automatically assume anyone who watches them is,  and that they seem to be embarrassed about who their market is.  When you're a provider for a nitch service, its not a good idea to alienate your largest market. 

And the new name? Really? They justify it with a quote "actually this is how you'd text it"?  What? Are they now trying for a target of highschool aged girls using text speak?  Don't insult my intelligence until you've proven your own.

[Eric the Ugly]

So a geeky channel wants to be less geeky, while at the same time making fun of their core market (most of whom don't fit that stereotype anyway)? Yeah. Good job, jacka**es.

Heck, for that matter, geeks are not uncool anymore, for F's sake.

And what in the heck does a change in the name accomplish.
Failure all around.

Of course, they've always made dumba** decisions. I didn't watch the channel for years because it was the da** All Quantum Leap Channel.

That's it. They all deserve a solid punch in the neck.

[Noble Dreg]

In truth, the SciFi channel has been a major disappointment to me. Tons of low budget made for TV movies with FX done on an old Tandy 64K!  If it was not for the new Battlestar Galactica I wouldn't tune in at all.

Edward Olmos was asked why "Battlestar" was so popular, he said something to the effect of he wasn't sure but hoped "We won't frack it up by drifting away from the core".  Well SciFi seems to be bent on 'fracking it up'.  Taking mediocrity to a whole new level.

[Zardoz]

Of course, they've always made dumba** decisions. I didn't watch the channel for years because it was the da** All Quantum Leap Channel.

After BSG runs out they will be the all Ghosthunters / ECW channel 

[Elennare]

Wow.  That's retarded.  Stupid name "change," stupid slogan.  And, btw, the 70's wants their logo back.

I used to watch the SciFi channel more than I do now.  Mostly I watch re-runs of Star Trek and stuff like that.  And Ghosthunters.  But most of the stuff they show is crap.  Why ARE they playing wrestling?  I suppose that can fit in the "fantasy" category?  And I run screaming from their original movies.

*excuse me while I rant for a moment*

I'm a geek.  But I am not dysfunctional, antisocial, or living in my parents basement.  Nor do I have hygine problems.  I work out and engage in physical activity.  In my spare time, I'm a gymnast and a dancer (when I'm not acting or swordfighting...what?  I'm busy. .  I was a cheerleader in highschool!  (shock and horror!  geeks can't be cheerleaders! )  I'm a 25 year old woman.  I will be *less* inclined to watch this channel with the new brand they're trying to make.

*rant over*

Don't they get that being a geek is not a "bad" thing anymore, and that we'll be running the world before long? 

They won't have an audience left because they're going to chase away those who did watch them by trying to be "cool," but they'll never pull it off and will only look like a cheap poser to the cool people who won't watch them anyway.

[TiaLD77]

OMG! what a load of Cr*p....if they move it away from Science Fiction...then it will just be like every other Channel with nothing on...

Warehouse 13 sounds like a relocated "Librarian"

[Eric the Ugly]

Now is the time for a competitor to come in a kick their a**es.

A sci-fi/fantasy channel that shows good (as well as cheesy) classic sci-fi and fantasy films and shows. The Last Starfighter, The Monster That Challenged The World, The Earth Dies Screaming, Buckaroo Banzai, Strange Invaders, Logan's Run(movie and show), Space:1999, Star Trek, Ark II, Jason of Star Command, Wizards & Warriors, Red Sonja, Hawk The Slayer, The Sword and the Sorcerer, Battle Beyond The Stars, Nightflyers, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Battlestar Galactica(the real one!), Buck Rodgers in the 25th Century, Space: Above and Beyond, 20 Million Miles To Earth, The Green Slime, Moon Zero-Two, Day Of The Triffids, The Omega Man, Forbidden Planet, Outland, Mad Max, Damnation Alley, Escape From New York, Krull, Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jaryd-Syn, Spacehunter: Adventures In The Forbidden Zone, Capricorn One, Saturn 3, The Thing, The Day The Earth Stood Still....
I could go on for days!

But, you know... a channel that actually shows actual sci-fi and fantasy!..... Sheesh!...

[Raibeart OShea]

If they're going to change the lineup, you can count me as a non-watcher.  I remember prior to them going live on the air (or recorded as the case may be), SFC had a radio broadcast that mentioned random paytrons names and announced the channel's intent of going live on such-and-such a date.  It was literally like this:

Tim Johnson....we're coming for you
...
...
Sara Wilson...we're coming for you
...
...
John Fredrickson...we're coming for you
...
...

It was really freaky until I finally caught the hourly announcement that talked about the channel.

[Dayna]

I've been disappointed for years with the offerings, now they're going to move even More away from the actual Science Fiction they once so proudly aired?!?!

Geeks, umm... cell phones/communicators, tazers/phasers, MRIs/full body scans.

Guess what, when civilization finally does go down the toilet, The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth and become the Supreme Rulers, because they're the only ones who know how anything works!!!

Dayna

[jcbanner]

Guess what, when civilization finally does go down the toilet, The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth and become the Supreme Rulers, because they're the only ones who know how anything works!!!

Dayna

lol, hate to burst that bubble, but it couldn't be further from the truth.  The geeks may know how to design and work modern tech, but if civilization collapses, you'll have no ability to make the stuff from the raw materials.  the people that know how to make tools, shelters, and produce food will be the ones living in style.  Modern tech (as in anything that followed after as a result of that first transistor)  is a luxury of an advanced society, not a necessity of survival for a basic one. 

Come to think of it, some of my favorite scifi/fantasy themes are based off that, post-apocalyptic times with trace bits of tech popping up here or there but the people who designed it at long since gone and the rest are clueless to how it works.

[renfairephotog]

Now is the time for a competitor to come in a kick their a**es.

A sci-fi/fantasy channel that shows good (as well as cheesy) classic sci-fi and fantasy films and shows\Battlestar Galactica[/i](the real one!),
I could go on for days!

But, you know... a channel that actually shows actual sci-fi and fantasy!..... Sheesh!...

The real on not Battlestar 1980 or whatever it was. I was channel surfing and BattleStar Galatica was on one the ION channel or some other odd channel. But then realized it was the 80's version.

[Eric the Ugly]

Ughh... Galactica:1980... what a horrendous mess that was... blech...

[Eric the Ugly]

Guess what, when civilization finally does go down the toilet, The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth and become the Supreme Rulers, because they're the only ones who know how anything works!!!

Dayna

lol, hate to burst that bubble, but it couldn't be further from the truth.  The geeks may know how to design and work modern tech, but if civilization collapses, you'll have no ability to make the stuff from the raw materials.  the people that know how to make tools, shelters, and produce food will be the ones living in style.  Modern tech (as in anything that followed after as a result of that first transistor)  is a luxury of an advanced society, not a necessity of survival for a basic one. 

Come to think of it, some of my favorite scifi/fantasy themes are based off that, post-apocalyptic times with trace bits of tech popping up here or there but the people who designed it at long since gone and the rest are clueless to how it works.

Ah. Indeed. But the will be a demand for technological luxuries, and who will know how to design such things? Who will be the best at logical structure and organization, plannning, etc.? 

[Tipsy Gypsy]

So they want to switch their image from geeky to illiterate?