Yesterday was Name Change Day for the SciFi Channel, which became SyFy. And to catch the eye of media buyers and critics throughout the land, the channel sent out press kits in this familiar-looking white package. The label on the underside assured the recipient that the ridiculous one-time container was "100% recyclable." Sure. And just as soon as Kansas City starts recycling HDPE 6 plastic, I or my grandchildren will take it down there...
By the way, I keep hearing rumors that SyFy went through its name change so it could start doing non-sci-fi-related programming, i.e., become just another cable channel. Officially, though, and I quote the PR, "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."
(UPDATE: Per the comment below, I changed the headline from "Capsule" to "Machine."--AB)


Non-sci-fi related programming? Great MORE wrestling.
I'll be referring to the network as "siffie"
Posted by: Stuart Goldman | July 08, 2009 at 01:54 PM
I just hope the programing this week on "SyFy"- the worst of the series, movies, etc. - isn't a sign of things to come.
Not that I'm expecting high quality here, of course. But it's been actually worse than usual...
Posted by: lkm | July 08, 2009 at 02:05 PM
I think you're confusing "Time Machine" for the "Time Capsule". Or maybe "Apple TV". Or maybe a "Mac Mini". Which leads to my second point; I really don't see the homage... If it's the shape of the box, I seen -- nay, own many products that came in white square boxes, most of which were not manufactured by Apple Inc.
[Two years in and I'm still confusing the hardware unit for the software unit. Supply your own punchline here... --AB]
Posted by: Wesley McGee | July 08, 2009 at 09:20 PM
Well,
I had actually hoped for a change...but alas, new name (kinda) same old crap. If I never watch an episode of Ghost (WHATEVER),and I never have to this point...I have six friends that have promised to come over and kill me. And that wrestling garbage...come on. Oh, an I did get to see some Outer Limits the other night, which I saw in the 50s, made it through about 15 minutes. So to sum up my feelings, I am so pissed about your changes, that if you become a channel like every other channel, why watch you? Sci Fi, before you guys started screwing with it was great. A few bloopers here and there, but for the most point great. Over the last two years it has gone downhill steadily. I, more than likely will stop watching. I can get the programs I want to see on DVD. Your advertisers have to love that.
Dana Byerley
MBA E-Business
Posted by: Dana Byerley | July 09, 2009 at 04:46 PM
Some of the movies are cool...but I miss the Star Trek nights and Star Gate SG1 already!!!
Posted by: Johnny Morsund | July 11, 2009 at 03:39 PM
I'm not sure which way you had it originally, but this Mac geek can clarify that Time Machine is software for macs that automatically backs up onto a remote drive, and Time Capsule is a backup hard drive installed in a wireless router (basically an Airport Extreme with a hard drive buried inside), such as the unit you have pictured.
Of course, none of this has anything to do with Syfy.
Posted by: Steve | July 11, 2009 at 08:39 PM