Sci-Fi changing name to SyFy

[cynatnite]

FOR years, television viewers, journalists who write about TV and services that compile listings have wondered how to refer to a certain cable network: Sci Fi Channel? Sci-Fi Channel? SciFi Channel? SCI FI Channel?

Soon, to paraphrase Rod Serling — whose vintage series, “The Twilight Zone,” is a mainstay of the Sci Fi Channel — executives will submit for public approval another name, not only of sight and sound but of mind, meant to signal a channel whose boundaries are that of imagination. That’s the signpost up ahead — your next stop, Syfy.

Plans call for Sci Fi and its companion Web site (scifi.com) to morph into the oddly spelled Syfy — pronounced the same as “Sci Fi” — on July 7. The new name will be accompanied by the slogan “Imagine Greater,” which replaces a logo featuring a stylized version of Saturn.

A channel called Syfy will, presumably, not be confused with SyFi Global, an information technology company; S.Y.F.I., the Summer Youth Forestry Institute; or Syfo seltzer, sold by Universal Beverages.

The tweaking of the Sci Fi name, introduced in 1992, is part of a rebranding campaign that seeks to distinguish the channel and its programming from cable competitors — 75 of which are also measured by the Nielsen ratings service.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/bu...dcol.html?_r=2

[STARSCREAM]

My first thought is that it is dumb.

[MCT]

anyone seen Idiocracy? Does this not remind you of the gradual name change of Fuddruckers to Buttfukkers?

Mike Judge was right.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

My first thought is that it is dumb.

My second thought is that a cable network ALWAYS changes its name right after it straps on its shark-jumping skiis, and right before it decides to mess with the format. (Qv. Cartoon Network becoming simply "CN", before they started showing live-action movies)
No network wants a repeat of "Why no music on MTV?" or "Why no Disney on Disney Channel?"

(See, viewers can't complain if there's no sci-fi anymore on "SyFy", because nobody knows that what is! )

[fdm]

I don't watch it, hardly ever have, so the name change (as incredibly stupid as it is), makes no difference to me. The wife on the other hand... probably makes no difference to her either, but she watches it a lot.

[elaine1015]

Mike Judge was right.

[Stoudman]

.....wow, that's stupid....who the hell has ever struggled with the name "Sci Fi Channel"? It's simple as it is, why the hell change it? Especially to something that has absolutely no grammatical foundation whatsoever.

Is Science now spelled "Syense"?

Is Fiction now spelled "Fykshun"?

No.

And if I have anything to say about it, I'll devote my life to ensuring that they never <bleep>ing are.

....frickin morons came up with this idea.....jesus...

[Marquoz]

I always called it Sci-Fi channel and if somebody didn't understand that, then well, there's more problems with the education system then I thought. I don't think it truly matters how it's formatted? Sci-Fi, SciFi, Sci Fi, SCI FI, etc. as long as it's spelled correctly. SyFy is just a joke of a name and makes a mockery of the Science Fiction genre.

[krazeyeyez]

I AM BOYCOTTING SYFY! this is an outrage, and outrage i say

stupid but whatever! all i know is...... i really should have took marketing in college, now thats a job you can shut your brain off all day and just ride the coaster

[Ator the Invincible]

Oh jeeze... I had hoped we were past the days of KEWL spellings. I've always just quietly shaken my head as people replaced "S" with "Z" in just about every word to make it EXTREME!!!! This is just more of the same nonsense. Only somehow, this seems even dumber. SyFy? Really? Wow...

[naturephoto1]

Makes little or no sense to me to change the name and I do watch the channel a fair amount of the time.

Rich

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by Marquoz

I always called it Sci-Fi channel and if somebody didn't understand that, then well, there's more problems with the education system then I thought. I don't think it truly matters how it's formatted? Sci-Fi, SciFi, Sci Fi, SCI FI, etc. as long as it's spelled correctly. SyFy is just a joke of a name and makes a mockery of the Science Fiction genre.

Which, with a few exceptions, is pretty much what the Sci-Fi channel does. I still can't look away, it's like watching a train wreck in slow-motion.

Would that be Slo-Mo or Sloe-Moe.

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by Rob71

Which, with a few exceptions, is pretty much what the Sci-Fi channel does. I still can't look away, it's like watching a train wreck in slow-motion.

Would that be Slo-Mo or Sloe-Moe.

You would think that with Sc-Fi Channel being part of the NBC Universal Cable Entertainment division of NBC that there would be some input and smart marketing but......

Rich

[Sussudio]

um, terrible idea

[IamNhobdy]

Originally Posted by MCT

anyone seen Idiocracy? Does this not remind you of the gradual name change of Fuddruckers to Buttfukkers?

Mike Judge was right.

I just so happened to be thinking along those lines myself.
And Mike Judge doesn't get enough credit, IMO.

[Mike53421]

Wow, why not just rename the thing? Changing the spelling seems like a waste. Look at how TNN changed to Spike TV, eventually the image of the station changed to the all-male network, but at least it served a long-term purpose. This is just a waste of money.

[toneloctr]

Wow.....At least they have a more fitting channel name for all those awesome made for tv movies they have.

[Red Hood]

crocodyles IV - the killer byte

[Teabaggins]

pathetic. "Sci Fi" was short and easy enough as it was.

"SyFy"? is it easier to text?

[Joe Cain]

The Siffy network? WTH?

It's become a waste of bandwidth anyway. Ever tried to watch The Twilight Zone on Siffy? The commercials will eat you alive.