SYFY: The way of the future

As most of us know, the Sci Fi Channel is planning to rebrand, launching as SyFy on July 7. And the Internet backlash has not been pretty -- most commentators picking on the perceived silliness (Siffy? See-fee?) of the new name, and more viewers annoyed that the channel that has already forgone some of its traditional programming to air wrestling is trying too hard to appeal to the mainstream. After all, mainstream hasn't really embraced science fiction, so why change?

But here's why the rebrand could mark a positive change for ALL television. See my previous post below, but it's not looking good for other networks to support the serialized drama. Shows like Dollhouse, LOST and Fringe are mainstream versions of science fiction and fantasy plots. LOST is already rerunning on the channel and other shows with the right mash-up for sci-fi and mainstream could find a home on this revamped network. Even ABC's critically-acclaimed, fan-adored and still cancelled Pushing Daisies would have had the right balance of paranormal or mainstream to have seen a home with this new SyFy. It's clear these kinds of shows aren't doing well on the big networks, and if they can't survive on ABC and FOX, what chance do they have elsewhere?

SyFy can fill this niche. Even though it's a network with smaller viewership, its plan to introduce new programming is already more sophisticated than the method used by other networks. Rather putting out pilots and hoping they stick, the still-titled Sci Fi network is rolling out three miniseries that, should they see nice ratings, develop into longer-running series. This is the formula that worked for Battlestar Galactica, which saw its four-year run end last week. Viewers are scared to get attached to serialized pilots these days (NBC's Kings, anyone?) knowing that if they're the only ones watching every week, they won't be watching at all--and most likely left in the dark when the story is abruptly canned.

So these three mini-series, then, Sci Fi/SyFy has in the works are the network's attempt to create original, unique series without running the risk of leaving viewers in the dark. The three miniseries -- one based on Alice and Wonderland, another on the comic book hero The Phantom and the third, Riverworld, on the set of Philip Jose Farmer novels -- will be complete, full-arc fantasy stories that shouldn't leave people frustrated if the plan to go full series doesn't happen.

Maybe traditional sci-fi/fantasy television they're not, but no matter how badly Sci-Fi geeks want to hold on, the medium is becoming more mainstream. (Nerds are in, didn't you hear?)

Wrestling aside, at least Sci Fi can recognize the transformation. A little mainstream sci-fi is better than none at all, right?