TV Crunch » Sci-Fi Channel

The Sci Fi Channel Changing Name to Syfy

Wendy — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:47:17 +0000

This seems unnecessary – The Sci Fi Channel is changing its name to the identical sounding Syfy. Hmmm….

In a press release, the network says:

“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.”

Stargate Atlantis Canceled; Stargate: Universe to Take its Place on Sci Fi

Wendy — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:13:19 +0000

It’s a bad news/good news situation. “Stargate Atlantis” has been canceled – fans of the series, will, however, get to see the series through to the end of its fifth season.

The good news? a new Stargate saga will begin with “Stargate: Universe,” premiering as a two-hour movie before taking over a summer slot in 2009.

According to Sci Fi president Dave Howe, “We’ve had great success with ‘Enterprise’ repeats on Monday night, and there’s an appetite for space opera as ‘Battlestar’ goes away. There’s an opportunity to keep the space opera as part of our programming strategy.”

The Hollywood Reporter provides this synopsis of “Stargate: Universe”

“‘Universe’ introduces a team of explorers who find an ancient unmanned ship called the Destiny. Unable to return to Earth, the crew must fend for themselves aboard the ship, which has a preprogramd mission taking them to the far reaches of the universe.”

Two Hour Battlestar Galactica Special Set for 2009

Wendy — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:45:12 +0000

Fans of Battlestar Galactica will be happy to hear that a special two-hour special is planned to air after the series ends in 2009.

The extra Battlestar Galactica episode will be directed by star Edward James Olmos and is said to include Michael Trucco, Aaron Douglas and Dean Stockwell. No details have yet been revealed about additional cast members or the plot.

Battlestar Galactica returns for 10 final episodes after “the first of the year,” according to executive producer Ronald D. Moore.

Ryan Seacrest Suffers Shark Bite

Wendy — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:15:18 +0000

Woah. American Idol/E! News/radio host/wonderboy Ryan Seacrest was bit by a shark over the weekend. Ryan Seacrest did not suffer any serious injuries as a result of the shark bite.

According to reports, Ryan Seacrest was at an L.A. beach when he was bit on the foot by a baby shark.

March 19 David Letterman Top 10 Reasons to Watch New Season Battlestar Galactica (Video)

Wendy — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:17:50 +0000

Check out this March 19 video clip of David Letterman’s top 10 list: Top 10 Reasons to Watch the New Season of Battlestar Galactica — read by Battlestar stars.

Miami Vice, A-Team, Battlestar Galactica Full Episodes Online

Wendy — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:16:25 +0000

If you’re missing your favorite classic TV shows, are feeling nostalgic, or would just like to go back and see what exactly made you love “Miami Vice” or “The A-Team” so much — you’re in luck!

NBC has announced that a number of classic TV shows will be available online (at NBC.com, SCIFI.com, ChillerTV.com and SleuthChannel.com) — full episodes… for free! Beat that!

Here’s the rundown of what will be available and where you can find ‘em:

NBC.com: A-Team, Emergency, Night Gallery, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Miami Vice, Battlestar Galactica (original) and Buck Rogers
ChillerTV.com: The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Swamp Thing, Tremors, Crow, Night Gallery
SCIFI.com: Battlestar Galactica (original), Buck Rogers, Tek War, Night Gallery
SleuthChannel.com: Kojak, Miami Vice, Simon & Simon, A-Team, Night Gallery

The shows will be available beginning today, with more on the way soon.

SciFi Channel to Air ‘Jericho’ Reruns

Wendy — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:07:19 +0000

CBS’ post-apocalyptic drama, “Jericho,” which was saved from cancellation when fans sent copious amounts of peanuts to the network, is getting a second life on the SciFi Channel.

SciFi Channel now has the rerun rights to “Jericho” for three-years, enabling the network to run the first and second seasons of the series.

“Jericho” fans can catch a four-episode marathon on SciFi Channel on February 11th. The second season of “Jericho” begins on February 12 on CBS.

Following the marathon showing, “Jericho” can be seen on Monday nights at 10 PM on Sci Fi, beginning February 18.

Thomas Vitale, senior vice president programming and original movies at Sci Fi, said of the “Jericho” deal:

“Thanks to the passion and persistence of its loyal viewers who saved this program from being canceled, new viewers can now experience this show for the first time on the Sci Fi Channel while CBS continues the story in its second-season run.”

Sci Fi Channel’s “Run for Money” Reality Show

Wendy — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:05:50 +0000

If you loved the movie “The Running Man,” Sci Fi has a reality/game show for you, called “Run for Money.” It very closely shadows the game involved in the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. Well, sort of.

“Run for Money” is a new competition “that pits a group of contestants against each other in the quest for cash prizes, while being stalked by relentless ‘hunters,’” according to a Sci Fi network press release. Also in the press release, the show takes place “over 60 minutes of real time in various landmark locations. As the clock winds down, the competition gets harder as more hunters appear on the streets, the game perimeter gets smaller, and tasks are assigned that test fraying nerves. Contestants earn money for every second they ‘stay alive’ and may opt out at their choosing. If they keep playing and are overrun by a hunter, they lose everything. The last person standing takes the prize.”

“Tin Man” is a New Take on “Wizard of Oz”

Wendy — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:31:28 +0000

Will the Sci Fi Channel’s “Tin Man” have “Wizard of Oz” fans up in arms? “Tin Man” is a new take on “Wizard of Oz,” and promises to be an interesting adaptation – but don’t expect any musical numbers.

Zooey Deschanel, who stars as DG in “Tin Man” says,“It’s postmodern, more like Indiana Jones than a fairy tale.” Deschanel will take on the role of a motorcycle-riding/waitress version of Dorothy. Preview after the jump.

According to Deschanel, “It’s a coming-of-age story. Here’s DG acting out in a teenage way before she gets swept up by the storm.” The tornado transports DG to O.Z., or Outer Zone. “Then she’s forced to grow up a little bit and find out how brave she is and how smart she is. On this journey, she becomes an adult.”

“Tin Man” is a six hour miniseries, airing December 2 through December 4, and co-stars Neal McDonough, Alan Cumming, Raoul Trujillo, Blu Mankuma, Kathleen Robertson and Richard Dreyfuss.

‘Who Wants To Be A Superhero?’ Season 2 Returns To Sci-Fi In July

Castina — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:01:38 +0000

SCI FI Channel’s reality series “Who Wants To Be A Superhero?” returns for its second season on Thursday, July 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

This year’s superheroes will include:

Basura (aka Aja De Coudreaux / Oakland, CA) enlists the help of all bugs everywhere and uses her mystical powers to turn trash into treasures.

Braid (aka Crystal Clark / Bloomington, IL) makes herself any age, race, or gender and can turn her hair into crime-busting tentacles.

The Defuser (aka Jarrett Crippen / Austin, TX) is an expert paramilitary superhero who uses non-violent weaponry to stop villains. He has the unique ability to function at 110 percent.

Hygena (aka Melody Mooney / Sherman Oaks, CA) fights crime and grime making weapons from all types of cleaning utensils.

Hyper-Strike (aka John Stork / Plainfield, VT and Chicago) is a martial arts expert with super strength and agility and he can project his Chi (life force) through his hands.

Mindset (aka Phillip Allen / Ft. Lauderdale, FL) is a telekinetic time traveler on a mission to end all war. Originally named Omnicron, Mindset is the viewers’ choice on the show winning his place by Internet voters earlier this year.

Mr. Mitzvah (aka “Sir Ivan” Wilzig / Miami, FL and New York City) is real life Bruce Wayne who lives in a castle, this multi-millionaire’s mission, under the guise of Mr. Mitzvah, is to save the lives of children.

Ms. Limelight (aka Trisha Paytas / Byron, IL and Los Angeles) is a captivating blonde caped-crusader absorbs the powers of action stars on TV and in movies.

Parthenon (aka Dan Williams / Orlando, Fl) is an archaeologist who gets his mystical powers from an ancient gauntlet he discovered in Greece

Whip-Snap (aka Paula Thomas / Dallas, TX and Los Angeles) Raised in Texas, this superhero has a mastery of the whip and if her bare skin touches a villain that villain is turned into sand.

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