random incoherence and infantile meanderings

I’m late to this particular party, as usual, but I wanted to actually check the facts before I spouted off (for once.)  I haven’t been able to find the actual source press release yet, but I think that Broadcast & Cable is a fairly reliable source. So here it is…

SciFi channel is going to change its name. To SyFy. The quote is:

“Without abandoning our legacy or our core audience, we needed to cultivate a distinct point of view with a name that we could own that invites more people in and recognizes our broader range of programming with literally something for everyone.”

This is an excellent example of saying a whole lot of nothing. However, it is not the announcement that they are turning their backs on the SciFi that all of my nerd compatriots have been wailing about. That is not what this says.

They did that to use years ago. Right about the time they canceled Farscape. But that’s my drum.

No, what this says is that they need a brand name that they can own. SciFi is simply so generic that they cannot leverage it. On the other hand, they can sell SyFy as something unique. Perhaps more importantly to the corporate system lords, they can prosecute people using that term now. Before, can you imagine how much laughter theree would be in the court if the SciFi channel had tried to sue someone for selling a SciFi t-shirt or mug?

Other than that, there is nothing to see here. The new SyFy channel will still have fantasy and horror and … wrestling overhelming the actual science fiction content, just as they have for years.

I’d love to end this with “SciFi is dead. Long live SyFy,” but I don’t feel it is appropriate. Too insiginificant a change to commemorate thus.

Quote is lifted from http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/189979-Upfronts_2009_Sci_Fi_Channel_Goes_Syfy.php

Update: I found the original press release. It is currently at http://www.syfy.com/press.html

New York, NY – March 16, 2009 – Building upon sixteen years of water cooler programming and soaring ratings growth following its most-watched year ever, SCI FI Channel is evolving into Syfy on air and on-line beginning July 7th, it was announced today by Dave Howe, President, SCI FI.

By changing the name to Syfy, which remains phonetically identical, the new brand broadens perceptions and embraces a wider and more diverse range of imagination-based entertainment including fantasy, paranormal, reality, mystery, action and adventure, as well as science fiction. It also positions the brand for future growth by creating an ownable trademark that can travel easily with consumers across new media and non-linear digital platforms, new international channels and extend into new business ventures.

Imagine Greater will become the new brand message and tagline, inviting both consumers and advertisers into a new era of unlimited imagination, exceptional experiences and greater entertainment. Syfy more clearly captures the mainstream appeal of the world’s biggest entertainment category, and reflects the network’s ongoing strategy to create programming that’s more accessible and relatable to new audiences. Syfy will continue to celebrate the traditional roots of the genre, while opening the brand aperture to accommodate a broader range of imagination-based entertainment.

“While continuing to embrace our legacy and our core audience, we needed to cultivate a distinct point of view with a name that we could own that invites more people in and reflects our broader range of programming,” said Mr. Howe in making the announcement. “Syfy allows us to build on our 16 year heritage of success with a new brand built on the power that fuels our genre: the Imagination. 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.

The new brand evolution will launch on air and on-line July 7th, in tandem with the premiere of the new scripted drama, Warehouse 13, and the return of breakout summer series Eureka. An aggressive trade marketing campaign will kick off this spring. scifi.com will assume the URL syfy.com at that time.

SCI FI Channel is a television network that fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 95 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies.