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| founder = Mitchell Rubenstein<br>Laurie Silvers |
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'''Syfy''' (a [[paraphrase]]d [[Neologism|neology]] of former name '''Sci-Fi Channel''', later shortened to '''Sci Fi'''; stylized as '''SYFY'''){{efn|See [[#Branding history|§ Branding history]]}} is an American [[basic cable]] [[cable television|television channel]], which is owned by the [[NBCUniversal Media Group]] division and business segment of [[Comcast]]'s [[NBCUniversal]].<ref name=pea>{{cite news |last=Lieberman |first=David |date=March 19, 2013 |title=Comcast Completes Acquisition Of GE's 49% Stake In NBCUniversal |url=https://deadline.com/2013/03/comcast-completes-acquisition-nbcuniversal-457181/ |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US |access-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327122300/https://deadline.com/2013/03/comcast-completes-acquisition-nbcuniversal-457181/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Launched on September 24, 1992, the channel broadcasts programming relating to the [[science fiction]], [[Horror fiction|horror]], and [[fantasy]] genres. As of |
'''Syfy''' (a [[paraphrase]]d [[Neologism|neology]] of former name '''Sci-Fi Channel''', later shortened to '''Sci Fi'''; stylized as '''SYFY'''){{efn|See [[#Branding history|§ Branding history]]}} is an American [[basic cable]] [[cable television|television channel]], which is owned by the [[NBCUniversal Media Group]] division and business segment of [[Comcast]]'s [[NBCUniversal]].<ref name=pea>{{cite news |last=Lieberman |first=David |date=March 19, 2013 |title=Comcast Completes Acquisition Of GE's 49% Stake In NBCUniversal |url=https://deadline.com/2013/03/comcast-completes-acquisition-nbcuniversal-457181/ |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US |access-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327122300/https://deadline.com/2013/03/comcast-completes-acquisition-nbcuniversal-457181/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Launched on September 24, 1992, the channel broadcasts programming relating to the [[science fiction]], [[Horror fiction|horror]], and [[fantasy]] genres. {{As of|2023|11}}, Syfy is available to approximately 69,000,000 pay television households in the United States-down from its 2011 peak of 99,000,000 households.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlenomics.com/u-s-cable-network-households-universe-1990-2023-nielsen-data/|title=U.S. cable network households (universe), 1990 – 2023|website=wrestlenomics.com|date=May 14, 2024|access-date=July 28, 2019}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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In 1989, in [[Boca Raton, Florida]], communications attorneys and cable TV entrepreneurs Mitchell Rubenstein and his wife and business partner Laurie Silvers devised the concept for the '''Sci-Fi Channel''', and signed up 8 of the top 10 cable TV operators as well as licensing exclusive rights to the British TV series ''[[Doctor Who]]'' (which shifted over from [[PBS]] to Sci-Fi Channel), ''[[Dark Shadows (1966 TV series)|Dark Shadows]]'', and the cult series ''[[The Prisoner (TV series)|The Prisoner]]''. |
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In 1992, the channel was sold by Rubenstein and Silvers to [[NBCUniversal Cable|USA Networks]], then a [[joint venture]] between [[Paramount Pictures]] and [[Universal Pictures]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/28/business/the-media-business-television-will-there-be-any-space-for-outer-space-on-cable.html?scp=5&sq=%22Sci+fi+channel%22&st=nyt|title=Will There Be Any Space For Outer Space on Cable?|last=Carter|first=Bill|date=September 28, 1992|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=July 7, 2009|archive-date=October 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002212619/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/28/business/the-media-business-television-will-there-be-any-space-for-outer-space-on-cable.html?scp=5&sq=%22Sci+fi+channel%22&st=nyt|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="carter 92">{{cite web|last=Carter|first=Bill|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE7D6113DF932A05750C0A964958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2|title=Television Notes; NBC Tries Again With a News-Magazine Format|work=The New York Times|date=March 31, 1992|access-date=July 7, 2009|archive-date=February 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223232620/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE7D6113DF932A05750C0A964958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2|url-status=live}}</ref> Rubenstein and Silvers became vice-chairs of USA Networks. The channel was seen as a natural fit with classic films and television series that both studios had in their vaults, including Universal's ''[[Dracula (1931 English-language film)|Dracula]]'', ''[[Frankenstein (1931 film)|Frankenstein]]'', and the [[Rod Serling]] TV series ''[[Night Gallery]]'', along with Paramount's ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]'' television series. |
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In 1994, Paramount was sold to [[Viacom (original)|Viacom]], followed by [[Seagram]]'s purchase of a controlling stake in [[MCA Inc.|MCA]] (of which Universal was a subsidiary) from the [[Panasonic|Matsushita Electric Industrial Company]] the next year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SEAGRAM+TO+BUY+80%25+OF+MCA+FOR+$5.7+BILLION%3B+MATSUSHITA+TO+REMAIN+AS...-a016788672|title=The Seagram Company Ltd. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. today announced that Seagram has agreed to purchase an 80 percent interest in MCA for $5.704 billion in cash|date=April 9, 1995|access-date=April 22, 2012|work=[[Business Wire]]|publisher=[[The Free Library]]|archive-date=October 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025130421/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SEAGRAM+TO+BUY+80%25+OF+MCA+FOR+$5.7+BILLION%3B+MATSUSHITA+TO+REMAIN+AS...-a016788672|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1997, Viacom sold its stake in USA Networks to Universal, who spun off all its television assets to [[Barry Diller]] the next year into the new company [[Studios USA]]. Three years later, Diller would sell Studios USA back to Universal, by then a subsidiary of [[Vivendi]] SA (at the time known as Vivendi Universal). Vivendi's film and television production and cable television assets were then merged with [[General Electric]]'s [[NBC]] to form [[NBCUniversal|NBC Universal]] in 2004. In |
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| ⚫ | ''Star Trek''{{'}}s creator [[Gene Roddenberry]] and author [[Isaac Asimov]] were recruited by Rubenstein and Silvers to serve on the initial advisory board,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1990-11-28/business/9011280833_1_disney-mgm-studios-channel-sci-fi|title=Sci-fi Channel Picks Disney As Home Port|last=Himna|first=Catherine|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=April 7, 2010|archive-date=April 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110420125535/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1990-11-28/business/9011280833_1_disney-mgm-studios-channel-sci-fi|url-status=live}}</ref> but both Roddenberry and Asimov had died by the time the channel finally launched on September 24, 1992. Rubenstein recalled: "The first thing that was on the screen was 'Dedicated to the memories of Isaac Asimov and Gene Roddenberry'."<ref name="hollywoodcom">{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/tv/5414665/syfy-say-it-s-not-so?page=all|date=March 22, 2009|title=Syfy, Say It's Not So!|first=Mitchell|last=Rubenstein|publisher=[[Hollywood.com]]|access-date=May 29, 2013|archive-date=December 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213023646/http://www.hollywood.com/news/tv/5414665/syfy-say-it-s-not-so?page=all|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Leonard Nimoy]] was master of ceremonies at the channel's launch party, held at the [[Hayden Planetarium]] in [[Manhattan]]. Asimov's widow [[Janet Asimov|Janet]] and Roddenberry's widow [[Majel Barrett]] were both in attendance.<ref name="hollywoodcom" /> The first program shown on the network was the film ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]''.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://articles.latimes.com/1992-09-05/entertainment/ca-5712_1_sci-fi-channel-schedule| title=Sci-Fi Channel on the Launching Pad : Television: The channel begins Sept. 24 with a presentation of 'Star Wars.' No cable systems in Southern California have signed up| author=Daniel Cerone| date=September 5, 1992| work=Los Angeles Times| access-date=June 30, 2015| archive-date=March 7, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307094621/http://articles.latimes.com/1992-09-05/entertainment/ca-5712_1_sci-fi-channel-schedule| url-status=live}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | In 1994, Paramount was sold to [[Viacom (original)|Viacom]], followed by [[Seagram]]'s purchase of a controlling stake in [[MCA Inc.|MCA]] (of which Universal was a subsidiary) from the [[Panasonic|Matsushita Electric Industrial Company]] the next year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SEAGRAM+TO+BUY+80%25+OF+MCA+FOR+$5.7+BILLION%3B+MATSUSHITA+TO+REMAIN+AS...-a016788672|title=The Seagram Company Ltd. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. today announced that Seagram has agreed to purchase an 80 percent interest in MCA for $5.704 billion in cash|date=April 9, 1995|access-date=April 22, 2012|work=[[Business Wire]]|publisher=[[The Free Library]]|archive-date=October 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025130421/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SEAGRAM+TO+BUY+80%25+OF+MCA+FOR+$5.7+BILLION%3B+MATSUSHITA+TO+REMAIN+AS...-a016788672|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1997, Viacom sold its stake in USA Networks to Universal, who spun off all its television assets to [[Barry Diller]] the next year into the new company [[Studios USA]]. Three years later, Diller would sell Studios USA back to Universal, by then a subsidiary of [[Vivendi]] SA (at the time known as Vivendi Universal). Vivendi's film and television production and cable television assets were then merged with [[General Electric]]'s [[NBC]] to form [[NBCUniversal|NBC Universal]] in 2004. In 2009 the network was rebranded as ''Syfy'', and in 2010 [[Comcast]] purchased Syfy's parent company [[NBCUniversal]].{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} Comcast was one of the original cable TV operators to carry the channel. |
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A [[high-definition television|high definition]] version of the channel launched on October 3, 2007, on [[DirecTV]].<ref name="Sci-Fi Channel HD">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvpredictions.com/dsix100307.htm|title=DirecTV Adds Six HD Channels|first=Phillip|last=Swann|date=October 3, 2007|publisher=TVPredictions.com|access-date=July 7, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624120224/http://www.tvpredictions.com/dsix100307.htm|archive-date=June 24, 2009}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | In 2013, Syfy was given the [[James Randi Educational Foundation]]'s [[Pigasus Award]] for what was described as questionable [[reality television|reality]] programming involving [[paranormal]] subjects.<ref name="pigasus">{{cite web|url=http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/jref-news/2074-jrefs-pigasus-awards-to-honor-dubious-peddlers-of-woo.html|title=JREF's Pigasus Awards "Honors" Dubious Peddlers of "Woo"|publisher=[[James Randi Educational Foundation]]|access-date=April 1, 2013|archive-date=April 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404002919/http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/jref-news/2074-jrefs-pigasus-awards-to-honor-dubious-peddlers-of-woo.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===Branding history=== |
===Branding history=== |
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The name change was greeted with initial negativity,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://adage.com/adages/post?article_id=135297|title=Should We Start a Syfy Death Watch?|first=Ken|last=Wheaton|publisher=[[Advertising Age]]|date=March 17, 2009|access-date=July 7, 2009|archive-date=March 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320033401/http://adage.com/adages/post?article_id=135297|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2009/more/news/tv-rebranding-a-tricky-proposition-1118001474/|title=TV rebranding a tricky proposition|first=Michael|last=Schneider|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=March 20, 2009|access-date=April 22, 2017|archive-date=April 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423153646/http://variety.com/2009/more/news/tv-rebranding-a-tricky-proposition-1118001474/|url-status=live}}</ref> with people deliberately mispronouncing "Syfy" as {{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|ɪ|f|i}} {{respell|SIF|ee}} or {{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|iː|f|i}} {{respell|SEE|fee}} to make fun of the name change. The parody news anchor [[Stephen Colbert]] made fun of the name change on ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' by giving the channel a "Tip of the Hat" for "spelling the name the way it's pronounced" and noting that "the tide is turning in my long fought battle against the insidious 'soft C{{'"}}.<ref name="Stephen Colbert mocks SyFy name change">{{cite web|url=http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/222070/march-18-2009/tip-wag---mississippi--talk-shows---syfy|title=Tip/Wag - Mississippi, Talk Shows, SyFy|date=March 18, 2009|access-date=October 2, 2010|archive-date=March 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100313005600/http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/222070/march-18-2009/tip-wag---mississippi--talk-shows---syfy|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=January 2023}} The new name took effect on July 7, 2009.<ref name="Syfy">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/business/media/16adcol.html|title=Sci Fi Channel Has a New Name: Now, It's Syfy|first=Stuart|last=Elliot|work=The New York Times|date=March 15, 2009|access-date=July 7, 2009|archive-date=February 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215044843/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/business/media/16adcol.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Syfy has since added reality shows and edged further from strictly science fiction, fantasy and horror programming.<ref>[http://io9.com/5496098/syfy-is-turning-into-vh1-more-reality-tv-and-tracy-morgan Syfy is Turning Into VH1: More Reality TV and Tracy Morgan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322195234/http://io9.com/5496098/syfy-is-turning-into-vh1-more-reality-tv-and-tracy-morgan |date=March 22, 2010 }}, ''[[io9]]'', March 18, 2010</ref><ref>[http://theflickcast.com/2010/03/19/syfy-announces-new-programming-at-their-upfront-event Syfy Announces New Programming for 2010-2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519145032/http://theflickcast.com/2010/03/19/syfy-announces-new-programming-at-their-upfront-event/ |date=May 19, 2010 }}, ''The Flick Cast'', March 19, 2010</ref><ref>[http://insidetv.aol.com/2010/03/23/syfy-channel-2010-more-reality-more-games Syfy Channel 2010: More Reality, More Games] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325140225/http://insidetv.aol.com/2010/03/23/syfy-channel-2010-more-reality-more-games/ |date=March 25, 2010 }}, ''Inside TV'', March 23, 2010</ref> |
The name change was greeted with initial negativity,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://adage.com/adages/post?article_id=135297|title=Should We Start a Syfy Death Watch?|first=Ken|last=Wheaton|publisher=[[Advertising Age]]|date=March 17, 2009|access-date=July 7, 2009|archive-date=March 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320033401/http://adage.com/adages/post?article_id=135297|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2009/more/news/tv-rebranding-a-tricky-proposition-1118001474/|title=TV rebranding a tricky proposition|first=Michael|last=Schneider|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=March 20, 2009|access-date=April 22, 2017|archive-date=April 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423153646/http://variety.com/2009/more/news/tv-rebranding-a-tricky-proposition-1118001474/|url-status=live}}</ref> with people deliberately mispronouncing "Syfy" as {{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|ɪ|f|i}} {{respell|SIF|ee}} or {{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|iː|f|i}} {{respell|SEE|fee}} to make fun of the name change. The parody news anchor [[Stephen Colbert]] made fun of the name change on ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' by giving the channel a "Tip of the Hat" for "spelling the name the way it's pronounced" and noting that "the tide is turning in my long fought battle against the insidious 'soft C{{'"}}.<ref name="Stephen Colbert mocks SyFy name change">{{cite web|url=http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/222070/march-18-2009/tip-wag---mississippi--talk-shows---syfy|title=Tip/Wag - Mississippi, Talk Shows, SyFy|date=March 18, 2009|access-date=October 2, 2010|archive-date=March 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100313005600/http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/222070/march-18-2009/tip-wag---mississippi--talk-shows---syfy|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=January 2023}} The new name took effect on July 7, 2009.<ref name="Syfy">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/business/media/16adcol.html|title=Sci Fi Channel Has a New Name: Now, It's Syfy|first=Stuart|last=Elliot|work=The New York Times|date=March 15, 2009|access-date=July 7, 2009|archive-date=February 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215044843/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/business/media/16adcol.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Syfy has since added reality shows and edged further from strictly science fiction, fantasy and horror programming.<ref>[http://io9.com/5496098/syfy-is-turning-into-vh1-more-reality-tv-and-tracy-morgan Syfy is Turning Into VH1: More Reality TV and Tracy Morgan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322195234/http://io9.com/5496098/syfy-is-turning-into-vh1-more-reality-tv-and-tracy-morgan |date=March 22, 2010 }}, ''[[io9]]'', March 18, 2010</ref><ref>[http://theflickcast.com/2010/03/19/syfy-announces-new-programming-at-their-upfront-event Syfy Announces New Programming for 2010-2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519145032/http://theflickcast.com/2010/03/19/syfy-announces-new-programming-at-their-upfront-event/ |date=May 19, 2010 }}, ''The Flick Cast'', March 19, 2010</ref><ref>[http://insidetv.aol.com/2010/03/23/syfy-channel-2010-more-reality-more-games Syfy Channel 2010: More Reality, More Games] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325140225/http://insidetv.aol.com/2010/03/23/syfy-channel-2010-more-reality-more-games/ |date=March 25, 2010 }}, ''Inside TV'', March 23, 2010</ref> |
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The rebranding efforts at |
The rebranding efforts at NBC Universal's [[Syfy Universal|Sci Fi Channels worldwide]] resulted in most rebranding as "Syfy" or "Syfy Universal"; however, over one-third of the channels did not take on "Syfy" as any part of their names: channels in Japan and the Philippines rebranded to or were replaced by [[Universal Channel]], while each of the channels in Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia would become Sci Fi Universal. In [[Polish language|Polish]], "Syfy" does not suggest imagination or science fiction, but rather something gross, without value or even [[syphilis]].<ref>[https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/sci-fi-president-dave-howe-answers-your-syfy-questions SCI FI president Dave Howe answers your SYFY questions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717152018/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/sci-fi-president-dave-howe-answers-your-syfy-questions |date=July 17, 2021 }}, SYFY Wire, July 5, 2015</ref> In Australia, NBCUniversal was a partner in [[SF (Australian TV channel)|SF]] alongside [[Foxtel]], [[CBS Studios International]] and [[Sony Pictures Television]]; after the channel shut down in 2013, NBCUniversal launched [[Syfy (Australian TV channel)|a local version of Syfy]] in 2014.<ref name="SFClosure">{{cite web |date=August 16, 2013 |title=Mediaweek Australia – News – TV1 to disappear from Foxtel platform |url=http://mediaweek.com.au/news/tv1-to-disappear-from-foxtel-platform.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823054023/http://mediaweek.com.au/news/tv1-to-disappear-from-foxtel-platform.html |archive-date=August 23, 2013 |access-date=August 17, 2013 |publisher=Media Week }}</ref><ref name="SyfyAust">{{cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=September 30, 2013 |title=Syfy to launch on Foxtel |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/09/syfy-to-launch-on-foxtel.html |access-date=September 30, 2013 |publisher=TV Tonight |archive-date=October 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001221556/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/09/syfy-to-launch-on-foxtel.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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[[File:SYFY.svg|thumb|230px|left|Syfy’s current logo used since 2017]] |
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On May 11, 2017, in honor of the network's upcoming 25th anniversary, Syfy unveiled a major rebranding that took effect on-air June 19. The new branding was intended to re-position the channel back towards targeting fans of the fantasy and sci-fi genres. Network head Chris McCumber explained that the network's goal was to "put fans at the center of everything we do", and explained a stacked, square-shaped form of the logo as being akin to a "badge". Syfy also planned to place a larger focus on its genre news division Syfy Wire, disclosing the possibility of extending the website to television as well.<ref name="verge-newlogo2017">{{cite web|title=The Syfy channel is rebooting with a new focus on science fiction fandom|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/11/15615942/syfy-channel-reboot-science-fiction-krypton-happy-purge-expanse|last=Liptak|first=Andrew|work=The Verge|date=May 11, 2017|access-date=May 12, 2017|archive-date=May 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511221825/https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/11/15615942/syfy-channel-reboot-science-fiction-krypton-happy-purge-expanse|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/syfy-new-logo-news-division-25th-anniversary-1202089790/|title=Syfy Gets New Look & Logo, Expands News Division Ahead of 25th Anniversary|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 11, 2017|access-date=May 11, 2017|archive-date=May 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511222159/http://deadline.com/2017/05/syfy-new-logo-news-division-25th-anniversary-1202089790/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/syfy-gets-makeover-it-marks-25th-anniversary/412795|title=Syfy Gets Makeover as It Marks 25th Anniversary|last=Lafayette|first=Jon|work=MultiChannel News|date=May 11, 2017|access-date=May 11, 2017|archive-date=May 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511223655/http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/syfy-gets-makeover-it-marks-25th-anniversary/412795|url-status=live}}</ref> |
On May 11, 2017, in honor of the network's upcoming 25th anniversary, Syfy unveiled a major rebranding that took effect on-air June 19. The new branding was intended to re-position the channel back towards targeting fans of the fantasy and sci-fi genres. Network head Chris McCumber explained that the network's goal was to "put fans at the center of everything we do", and explained a stacked, square-shaped form of the logo as being akin to a "badge". Syfy also planned to place a larger focus on its genre news division Syfy Wire, disclosing the possibility of extending the website to television as well.<ref name="verge-newlogo2017">{{cite web|title=The Syfy channel is rebooting with a new focus on science fiction fandom|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/11/15615942/syfy-channel-reboot-science-fiction-krypton-happy-purge-expanse|last=Liptak|first=Andrew|work=The Verge|date=May 11, 2017|access-date=May 12, 2017|archive-date=May 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511221825/https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/11/15615942/syfy-channel-reboot-science-fiction-krypton-happy-purge-expanse|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/syfy-new-logo-news-division-25th-anniversary-1202089790/|title=Syfy Gets New Look & Logo, Expands News Division Ahead of 25th Anniversary|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 11, 2017|access-date=May 11, 2017|archive-date=May 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511222159/http://deadline.com/2017/05/syfy-new-logo-news-division-25th-anniversary-1202089790/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/syfy-gets-makeover-it-marks-25th-anniversary/412795|title=Syfy Gets Makeover as It Marks 25th Anniversary|last=Lafayette|first=Jon|work=MultiChannel News|date=May 11, 2017|access-date=May 11, 2017|archive-date=May 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511223655/http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/syfy-gets-makeover-it-marks-25th-anniversary/412795|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===Animation=== |
===Animation=== |
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During its early years, Syfy aired [[anime]] films and [[original video animation]]s. On June 11, 2007, the channel launched a weekly two-hour programming block called "Ani-Monday",<ref name="ANN Ani-Monday Launch">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-05-05/sci-fi-channel-launches-anime-block|title=Sci Fi Channel Launches Monday Night Anime Block|date=May 5, 2007|publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |first1=Mikhail |last1=Koulikov |access-date=July 7, 2009|archive-date=September 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929032245/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-05-05/sci-fi-channel-launches-anime-block|url-status=live}}</ref> featuring English dubs of various anime series licensed by [[Manga Entertainment]].<ref name="ANN Ani-Monday Launch" /> During February 2008, the channel also aired anime on Tuesday nights in a second programming block.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-01-03/america%27s-sci-fi-channel-adds-anime-on-tuesdays|title=America's Sci Fi Channel Adds Anime on Tuesdays|date=January 3, 2008|publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |first1=Egan |last1=Loo |access-date=July 7, 2009|archive-date=March 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323223547/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-01-03/america%27s-sci-fi-channel-adds-anime-on-tuesdays|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2009, Syfy announced that they had renewed and expanded their licensing agreement with Manga Entertainment to add a two-hour block of horror anime (also called "Ani-Monday") to sister channel [[Chiller Network|Chiller]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/syfy-chiller-take-more-anime_article_116327.html|title=Syfy, Chiller Take On More Anime|first=Chris|last=Beveridge|publisher=ManiaEntertainment|date=July 15, 2009|access-date=July 15, 2009|archive-date=July 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718111406/http://www.mania.com/syfy-chiller-take-more-anime_article_116327.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Syfy's anime block was later moved to Thursday nights, starting March 14, 2011, where it remained until all anime programming was dropped on June 9, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-02-23/u.s-syfy-tv-channel-moves-anime-to-thursdays-in-march|title=U.S. Syfy TV Channel Moves Anime to Thursdays in March|publisher=Anime News Network|date=February 23, 2011|access-date=January 28, 2014|archive-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203041128/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-02-23/u.s-syfy-tv-channel-moves-anime-to-thursdays-in-march|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-05-27/u.s-syfy-channel-lists-no-more-anime-after-june-9|title=U.S. SyFy Channel Lists No More Anime After June 9|publisher=Anime News Network|date=May 27, 2011|access-date=January 28, 2014|archive-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203030709/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-05-27/u.s-syfy-channel-lists-no-more-anime-after-june-9|url-status=live}}</ref> |
During its early years, Syfy aired [[anime]] films and [[original video animation]]s on early Saturday morning under the title of ''Saturday Anime''. On June 11, 2007, the channel launched a weekly two-hour programming block called "Ani-Monday",<ref name="ANN Ani-Monday Launch">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-05-05/sci-fi-channel-launches-anime-block|title=Sci Fi Channel Launches Monday Night Anime Block|date=May 5, 2007|publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |first1=Mikhail |last1=Koulikov |access-date=July 7, 2009|archive-date=September 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929032245/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-05-05/sci-fi-channel-launches-anime-block|url-status=live}}</ref> featuring English dubs of various anime series licensed by [[Manga Entertainment]].<ref name="ANN Ani-Monday Launch" /> During February 2008, the channel also aired anime on Tuesday nights in a second programming block.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-01-03/america%27s-sci-fi-channel-adds-anime-on-tuesdays|title=America's Sci Fi Channel Adds Anime on Tuesdays|date=January 3, 2008|publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |first1=Egan |last1=Loo |access-date=July 7, 2009|archive-date=March 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323223547/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-01-03/america%27s-sci-fi-channel-adds-anime-on-tuesdays|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2009, Syfy announced that they had renewed and expanded their licensing agreement with Manga Entertainment to add a two-hour block of horror anime (also called "Ani-Monday") to sister channel [[Chiller Network|Chiller]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/syfy-chiller-take-more-anime_article_116327.html|title=Syfy, Chiller Take On More Anime|first=Chris|last=Beveridge|publisher=ManiaEntertainment|date=July 15, 2009|access-date=July 15, 2009|archive-date=July 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718111406/http://www.mania.com/syfy-chiller-take-more-anime_article_116327.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Syfy's anime block was later moved to Thursday nights, starting March 14, 2011, where it remained until all anime programming was dropped on June 9, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-02-23/u.s-syfy-tv-channel-moves-anime-to-thursdays-in-march|title=U.S. Syfy TV Channel Moves Anime to Thursdays in March|publisher=Anime News Network|date=February 23, 2011|access-date=January 28, 2014|archive-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203041128/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-02-23/u.s-syfy-tv-channel-moves-anime-to-thursdays-in-march|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-05-27/u.s-syfy-channel-lists-no-more-anime-after-june-9|title=U.S. SyFy Channel Lists No More Anime After June 9|publisher=Anime News Network|date=May 27, 2011|access-date=January 28, 2014|archive-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203030709/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-05-27/u.s-syfy-channel-lists-no-more-anime-after-june-9|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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On April 20, 2019, Syfy launched a new late night [[adult animation]] block called ''TZGZ'' which aired until March 13, 2021.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} |
On April 20, 2019, Syfy launched a new late night [[adult animation]] block called ''TZGZ'' which aired until March 13, 2021.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} |
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In October 2020, Syfy aired ''[[Monster House (film)|Monster House]]'' as part of their ''31 Days of Halloween'' event.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} |
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===Syfy original films=== <!-- several terms redirect here--> |
===Syfy original films=== <!-- several terms redirect here--> |
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 | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | Comcast Building, New York City, New York |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 1080p HDTV (downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Paramount/Viacom (50% stake) (1992–1997) NBCUniversal (Comcast) |
| Parent | NBCUniversal Media Group |
| Sister channels |
|
| History | |
| Launched | September 24, 1992; 31 years ago (1992-09-24) |
| Founder | Mitchell Rubenstein Laurie Silvers |
| Former names |
|
| Links | |
| Webcast | Watch live (U.S. pay-TV subscribers only) |
| Website | www |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| Streaming Services | fuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream |
| ClaroTV+ | (requires subscription to access content)
|
Syfy (aparaphrased neology of former name Sci-Fi Channel, later shortened to Sci Fi; stylized as SYFY)[a] is an American basic cable television channel, which is owned by the NBCUniversal Media Group division and business segment of Comcast's NBCUniversal.[1] Launched on September 24, 1992, the channel broadcasts programming relating to the science fiction, horror, and fantasy genres. As of November 2023[update], Syfy is available to approximately 69,000,000 pay television households in the United States-down from its 2011 peak of 99,000,000 households.[2]
In 1989, in Boca Raton, Florida, communications attorneys and cable TV entrepreneurs Mitchell Rubenstein and his wife and business partner Laurie Silvers devised the concept for the Sci-Fi Channel, and signed up 8 of the top 10 cable TV operators as well as licensing exclusive rights to the British TV series Doctor Who (which shifted over from PBS to Sci-Fi Channel), Dark Shadows, and the cult series The Prisoner.
In 1992, the channel was sold by Rubenstein and Silvers to USA Networks, then a joint venture between Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures.[3][4] Rubenstein and Silvers became vice-chairs of USA Networks. The channel was seen as a natural fit with classic films and television series that both studios had in their vaults, including Universal's Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Rod Serling TV series Night Gallery, along with Paramount's Star Trek television series.
Star Trek's creator Gene Roddenberry and author Isaac Asimov were recruited by Rubenstein and Silvers to serve on the initial advisory board,[5] but both Roddenberry and Asimov had died by the time the channel finally launched on September 24, 1992. Rubenstein recalled: "The first thing that was on the screen was 'Dedicated to the memories of Isaac Asimov and Gene Roddenberry'."[6] Leonard Nimoy was master of ceremonies at the channel's launch party, held at the Hayden PlanetariuminManhattan. Asimov's widow Janet and Roddenberry's widow Majel Barrett were both in attendance.[6] The first program shown on the network was the film Star Wars.[7]
In 1994, Paramount was sold to Viacom, followed by Seagram's purchase of a controlling stake in MCA (of which Universal was a subsidiary) from the Matsushita Electric Industrial Company the next year.[8] In 1997, Viacom sold its stake in USA Networks to Universal, who spun off all its television assets to Barry Diller the next year into the new company Studios USA. Three years later, Diller would sell Studios USA back to Universal, by then a subsidiary of Vivendi SA (at the time known as Vivendi Universal). Vivendi's film and television production and cable television assets were then merged with General Electric's NBC to form NBC Universal in 2004. In 2009 the network was rebranded as Syfy, and in 2010 Comcast purchased Syfy's parent company NBCUniversal.[citation needed] Comcast was one of the original cable TV operators to carry the channel.
Ahigh definition version of the channel launched on October 3, 2007, on DirecTV.[9]
In 2013, Syfy was given the James Randi Educational Foundation's Pigasus Award for what was described as questionable reality programming involving paranormal subjects.[10]
From 1992 to 1999, the network's first logo consisted of a planet with a ring, made to look like Saturn, with "SCI-FI CHANNEL" written on it. The network's second logo, which was used from 1999 to 2002, dropped the hyphen and the word "CHANNEL" from the name.[11] The network's third and final "ringed planet" logo ran from 2002 to 2009, and was designed by Lambie-Nairn. The logo made its debut on December 2, 2002, with the launch of the Steven Spielberg miniseries Taken. The network also launched a new image campaign with the tagline "If", which expresses the limitless possibilities of the imagination. Identification bumps depicted surreal situations such as a baby breathing fire, as well as a woman in a stately sitting room kissing a bug-eyed, big-eared animal.[12][13]
On March 16, 2009, NBCUniversal announced that Sci Fi was rebranding as "Syfy". Network officials also noted that, unlike the generic term "sci fi", which represents the entire genre, the term "Syfy" as a sensational spelling can be protected by trademark and therefore would be easier to market on other goods or services without fear of confusion with other companies' products. The only significant previous use of the term "Syfy" in relation to science fiction was by the website SyFy Portal, which became Airlock Alpha after selling the brand to an unnamed company in February 2009.[14]
The name change was greeted with initial negativity,[15][16] with people deliberately mispronouncing "Syfy" as /ˈsɪfi/ SIF-eeor/ˈsiːfi/ SEE-fee to make fun of the name change. The parody news anchor Stephen Colbert made fun of the name change on The Colbert Report by giving the channel a "Tip of the Hat" for "spelling the name the way it's pronounced" and noting that "the tide is turning in my long fought battle against the insidious 'soft C'".[17][non-primary source needed] The new name took effect on July 7, 2009.[18] Syfy has since added reality shows and edged further from strictly science fiction, fantasy and horror programming.[19][20][21]
The rebranding efforts at NBC Universal's Sci Fi Channels worldwide resulted in most rebranding as "Syfy" or "Syfy Universal"; however, over one-third of the channels did not take on "Syfy" as any part of their names: channels in Japan and the Philippines rebranded to or were replaced by Universal Channel, while each of the channels in Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia would become Sci Fi Universal. In Polish, "Syfy" does not suggest imagination or science fiction, but rather something gross, without value or even syphilis.[22] In Australia, NBCUniversal was a partner in SF alongside Foxtel, CBS Studios International and Sony Pictures Television; after the channel shut down in 2013, NBCUniversal launched a local version of Syfy in 2014.[23][24]
On May 11, 2017, in honor of the network's upcoming 25th anniversary, Syfy unveiled a major rebranding that took effect on-air June 19. The new branding was intended to re-position the channel back towards targeting fans of the fantasy and sci-fi genres. Network head Chris McCumber explained that the network's goal was to "put fans at the center of everything we do", and explained a stacked, square-shaped form of the logo as being akin to a "badge". Syfy also planned to place a larger focus on its genre news division Syfy Wire, disclosing the possibility of extending the website to television as well.[25][26][27]
Syfy's original programming includes made-for-cable movies, miniseries, and television series. Under NBCUniversal ownership, the channel has expanded into general-interest programming outside of the sci-fi genre to target a more mainstream audience. Such programming has included crime dramas, WCG Ultimate Gamer,[28] and professional wrestling from WWE (including ECW,[29] NXT, and SmackDown).[30][31]
Syfy has been used for overflow sports and sports entertainment programming from its sister networks. It has participated in NBC Sports' "Championship Sunday" effort to broadcast all matches on the final matchday of the Premier League soccer season across NBCUniversal cable networks.[32] In February 2022, WWE Raw and NXT aired on Syfy for two weeks due to USA Network's broadcasts of the 2022 Winter Olympics.[33]
During its early years, Syfy aired anime films and original video animations on early Saturday morning under the title of Saturday Anime. On June 11, 2007, the channel launched a weekly two-hour programming block called "Ani-Monday",[34] featuring English dubs of various anime series licensed by Manga Entertainment.[34] During February 2008, the channel also aired anime on Tuesday nights in a second programming block.[35] In July 2009, Syfy announced that they had renewed and expanded their licensing agreement with Manga Entertainment to add a two-hour block of horror anime (also called "Ani-Monday") to sister channel Chiller.[36] Syfy's anime block was later moved to Thursday nights, starting March 14, 2011, where it remained until all anime programming was dropped on June 9, 2011.[37][38]
On April 20, 2019, Syfy launched a new late night adult animation block called TZGZ which aired until March 13, 2021.[citation needed]
Sci Fi Pictures original films are independently-made B-movies with production budgets of $1 million to $2 million each. The initiative was spearheaded by Thomas Vitale in 2001, and was managed by Vitale, Chris Regina, and Ray Cannella, with the later additions of Karen O'Hara and Macy Lao.[39] Syfy is also one of the sponsors for the Coalition for Freedom of Information.[40]
Syfy's website launched in 1995, under the name The Dominion (though using scifi.com in its URL); it changed to SciFi.com in 2000.[citation needed] The site has won a Webby Award and a Flash Forward Award.
From 2000 to 2005, SciFi.com published original science fiction short stories in a section called "Sci Fiction", edited by Ellen Datlow, who won a 2005 Hugo Award for her work there. The stories themselves won a World Fantasy Award, the first Theodore Sturgeon Award for online fiction (for Lucius Shepard's novella "Over Yonder"), and four of the Science Fiction Writers of America's Nebula Awards, including the first for original online fiction (for Linda Nagata's novella "Goddesses").[41][42]
On April 22, 2006, the site launched Sci Fi Pedia, a commercial wiki on topics including anime, comics, fandom, fantasy, games, horror, science fiction, toys, UFOs, genre-related art and audio, and the paranormal.[43] In 2009, Sci Fi Pedia was shut down without explanation.
As part of the channel's rebranding in 2009, the URL – and the site's name – was changed to Syfy.com. As of 2010, Syfy.com began to contain webisode series including Riese: Kingdom Falling (as of October 26, 2010),[citation needed] The Mercury Men (as of July 25, 2011),[citation needed] and Nuclear Family[44] (as of October 15, 2012).
SyfyGames.com is an online games portal which offers free-to-play MMO and casual games. The site features predominantly sci-fi and fantasy games from third-party developers.[45] In April 2015, the News section of SyfyGames.com was rebranded to feature "news from G4".[citation needed]
In 2010, Syfy Games signed a deal with the now defunct publisher THQ to co-produce De Blob 2. Syfy Games would also co-produce Red Faction: Armageddon.
Syfy Wire (formerly Sci-Fi Wire and Blastr) is a website operated by Syfy featuring coverage of news in the science fiction, horror, and fantasy genres.[25] The site was rebranded in 2010 as Blastr, with the addition of feature articles, guest columnists (such as Phil Plait), popular science news and coverage, and video content.[46] In December 2016, Blastr rebranded as Syfy Wire; editor-in-chief Adam Swiderski stated that this change was to closer associate the website with the Syfy television channel.[47]
As of March 2018, Syfy Wire releases five regular podcasts,[48] including two recap series following The Expanse and the final season of Colony, as well as The Fandom Files, which features interviews with public figures about their pop culture obsessions. Guests have included Leland Chee[49] and Mike Daniels of the Green Bay Packers.[50]
Sci Fi magazine was first published in June 1994, as Sci-Fi Entertainment, with the additional description "The Official Magazine of the Sci-Fi Channel" on the cover.[51] The publisher from Volume 1, Issue 1, was Mark Hintz, with Carl A. Gnam Jr. as editorial director and Ted Klein as editor.[52][53] Scott Edelman took over as editor with the December 1996 issue, holding that position until leaving after the June 2000 issue, by which point the magazine's name had already been shortened to Sci Fi, in keeping with the channel's name change to Sci Fi in 1999; Scott Edelman returned to be editor of the channel's online magazine, Science Fiction Weekly, moving back to editor of Sci Fi in February 2002.[54] The magazine was published by Sovereign Media Co, based in Herndon, Virginia.[54][55] As of October 2023, the magazine is still described at the Sovereign Media website, but the link to the publication is no longer active there, and no link is available at the Syfy.com site;[55] the last functioning archived link from the Syfy.com page is for the issue available in October 2014.[56]
Science Fiction Weekly was an online magazine started on August 15, 1995, and edited by Craig Engler and Brooks Peck.[citation needed] In April 1996, it began appearing exclusively on "The Dominion" as part of a partnership with the site, before being sold to the Sci Fi Channel completely in 1999.[57] The publication covered various aspects of science fiction, including news, reviews, original art, and interviews, until it merged with Sci-Fi Wire in January 2009.[citation needed]
VOLUME 1 NUMBER 1 | MARK HINTZ Publisher | CARL A. GNAM, JR. Editorial Director | TED KLEIN Editor
SCI-FI ENTERTAINMENT is published bimonthly by Sovereign Media Co, Inc.. 457 Carlisle Drive. Herndon, VA 22070 (703) 471-1556 Second Class postage pending at Herndon, VA, and additional mailing offices SCIFI ENTERTAINMENT, Volume 1, Number 1 ©1994 by Sovereign Media, all rights reserved.
Media related to Syfy at Wikimedia Commons
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