New Battlestar Galactica Prequel Series Coming – to the Internet

Slice of Sci Fi reports that a new prequel series will join Caprica in depicting the events that took place before SyFy's groundbreaking Battlestar Galactica TV series.

But before you rev up your digital TV recorder, you should know that this series, called Blood and Chrome, will be an Internet video series of 10-minute episodes. The show will use digital backgrounds (think Star Wars prequels); the sets of Battlestar Galactica were reportedly scanned at the end of the show so they could be used in digital scenes in the future.

If Blood and Chrome is successful, it might spawn other online series of the same sort, and it might also be a "backdoor pilot" to a new Battlestar prequel TV series, according to Maureen Ryan at The Chicago Tribune.

Here's hoping.

New Battlestar Galactica Spinoff Coming from SyFy

SyFy is in discussions with Galactica's producers about a second spinoff from the great Battlestar Galactica TV series, reimagined so successfully by Ronald Moore and pals. Caprica, the first spinoff, has met an unenthusiastic viewership, but it reportedly is not on the chopping block, according to SFX. Time-shifted viewing (i.e., using DVRs) is apparently strong for Caprica, and that's left the network hopeful for the series. I haven't warmed to the show, but a friend who's a fellow Galactica fan tells me she was not expecting much from the program, but it has become a must-see show for her and her husband.

The British sci-fi mag also reports that the new series would be more space opera and less planet-bound soap opera. If so, then hooray.

The SyFy Fun Continues

The blogosphere is being quite harsh on the Sci Fi Channel's plans to rebrand itself as Syfy. As one site, io9, put it in a headline: Sci Fi Channel Changes Its Name to a Typo

But there are others. Bloggers tend to be an outspoken (and often profane) group to begin with, but when they're actually on the side of angels, their brutality can be at least amusing. "WTF" "stupid" and "waste of time" seems to crop up in a number of these commentaries.

Here's a roundup of a few:

Scyence Fyction: Because Geeks Are Inhuman (Keith McDuffee)

Question of the Day: WTF Is up with Sci Fi Channel Changing Its Name to SyFy? (Flick Filosopher)

What the Hell Is a SyFy? (Crunch Gear)

More on that SciFi/SyFy Channel Thing (Starlog)

WTF: Sci Fi Channel Renamed SyFy (/film)

Editorial: SciFi Channel Rebranding to Syfy; "Skiffy" No More? (Firefox News)

That's a Little Iffy (The Star Online)

Sci Fy to SyFy? Houston, We've Got no Problem (Chris Matyszczyk on CNET)

Sci Fi Channel "Geeks" Blast Network's Decision to Change Name to SyFy (Chicago Tribune)

Even Sci Fi Channel Embarrassed to Admit It Watches Sci Fi Channel: Changes Name to SyFy (BestWeekEver.tv)

Sci Fi Rebrand: Fans React (Broadcasting and Cable)

Sci Fi Channel to Suffer Makeover (ENews 2.0)

And, of course, my own previous post: Sci Fi Channel Doesn't Like Sci Fi (Weimar World Service Blog)

Sci Fi Channel Doesn't Like "Sci Fi"

NBC Universal's popular (and growing) Sci Fi Channel has decided it's embarrassed by its name, and by its audience. Deciding that "sci fi" gives people images of "geeks and dysfunctional, antisocial boys in their basements" (in the words of one consultant) the cable channel is changing its name to Syfy, according to TV Week.

Their reasoning that "sci fi" turned off people who might otherwise like the content is ridiculous, considering the continued major gains in audiences and in critical accolades (just witness much of the critical laurels being thrown out for the reimagined Battlestar Galactica).

An interesting sidenote: There already was a syfyportal.com, but that's changed its name to the difficult to market airlockalpha.com.

All of this brings to mind a column I wrote for Internet World in 2000. In it, I mused about (and mocked, deservedly) the companies that changed their names from perfectly good ones to stupid ones. And the silliness continues. TV Week cites Sci Fi Channel President Dave Howe:

Mr. Howe said Sci Fi looks at its branding every couple of years. He added that when new executives join the network, they usually ask if it has ever thought about changing the name.

Seriously? What kind of person goes to apply for a job at Bank One, and then suggests that they change their name to something a little less "banky"? Does Sports Illustrated hire many editors who are embarrassed about the bad image of sports fans and suggest they change the name to Sprites Illuminated?

Just where do you hire these people?