After many years of trying to find a name for the Sci Fi Channel, executives will submit for public approval for another name. SciFi and its companion Web site (scifi.com) will transform into Syfy on July 7. The new name will be joined by the slogan Imagine Greater, which will replace the logo version of Saturn.
The channel will not be confused with the SyFi Global, an information technology company; sold be Universal Beverages. The name will be introduced on Monday to agencies and advisers by the company executives of Sci Fi, which is a part of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment division of NBC Universal. There will be an upfront presentation to reveal the new name, where networks will try to win commitments by advertisers to block commercial time before the next season starts.
“The brand needed a little refreshing,” said Steve Mandala, executive vice president for cable ad sales at NBC Universal, who will be among those promoting Sci Fi — and Syfy — at the upfront presentation.
SciFi will have a trade campaign aimed at agencies, to publicize the new name, followed by ads on and off the channels for current and future viewers. Ms. Hammer acknowledged that although “there’s always a little bit of risk” in change, Sci Fi executives are experienced in responding to outspoken viewers.
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Where's the risk in this name? all they did was change the I to y, but whatever makes them happy. It's a safe choice, that way people won't get confused unlike with a completely new and transforming name, you know, what companies usually do when they wanted to freshen things up? oh well, better safe than sorry right? I personally like both of them, they have a similar ring to them. You can't go wrong with a classic in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteCat, this is true. Why not make it a completely different name such as TNN to Spike? Well, whatever works for them works for me as long as they don't change programming on the channel. I say that because I am a wrestling fan and for one hour on Tuesday, I get to experience that on ECW. Other than that hour show, I am not a fan of scifi. Great post.
ReplyDeleteSometimes companies like to play it safe with changing their name. Eventhough I think it is a little silly what they changed it to. It sounds completley the same...but whatever floats their boat!
ReplyDeleteAs a frequent watcher of the SciFi channel, I had heard about the name change, and I think this is a rather dumb decision. Already, the biggest insult hurled at it is that the caliber of its shows might be less than professional. Changing the name to something like SyFy gives the aura of unprofessionality that will only worsen the public image for the SciFi (now SyFy) channel. Many people had finally started to gain more respect for the SciFi channel with shows like Eureka, Battlestar Galactica, and Jericho. Now, I think the name change will diminish all of that newfound respect.
ReplyDeleteThe name change seems kind of, unnecessary, but hey whatever they think could help their company out. I personally do not watch the station, but maybe with a name change, the station will come up with more shows, maybe some with some aspects of television on air already with a scientific twist.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the name change proves much change, but hopefully they can survive.