Syfy (Benelux)

Syfy is a Dutch-language digital television channel service specializing in science fiction, fantasy, and horror shows and movies. The channel launched in 2007 as a sister channel to the US Sci Fi Channel, with a similar programming line-up. Syfy currently operates as a channel service of Universal Networks International, a division of NBCUniversal.

The channel can be seen on the cable networks of UPC, Ziggo and CAIW in the Netherlands and in Belgium via Belgacom TV and Telenet Digital TV.

Sci-Fi Channel had previously been available in Benelux in the '90s. Failing to attract audiences, the channel withdrew from Benelux and Scandinavia at the end of 1998, focusing on their UK service instead.

An HD-simulcast started through UPC Netherlands on 1 May 2013.

Programming

Syfy

Syfy (/ˈsaɪfaɪ/, formerly Sci-Fi Channel) is an American basic cable and satellite television channel that is owned by the NBCUniversal Cable division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. The channel features adult, supernatural, fantasy, paranormal, wrestling, reality, drama, horror and science fiction programming.

As of February 2015, approximately 94.8 million American households (81.4 percent of households with television) receive Syfy.

History

In 1989, Boca Raton, Florida, communications attorney Mitchell Rubenstein and his wife Laurie Silvers devised the concept for the Sci-Fi Channel, and planned to have it begin broadcasting in December 1990, but lacked the resources to launch it. In March 1992, the concept was picked up by USA Networks, then a joint venture between Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios. The channel was seen as a natural fit with classic films and television series that both studios had in their vaults, including Universal's Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Rod Serling TV series Night Gallery, along with Paramount's Star Trek. Star Trek’s creator Gene Roddenberry and author Isaac Asimov were among those on the initial advisory board, but both had died by the time the channel finally launched on September 24, 1992. Rubenstein recalled, “The first thing that was on the screen was ‘Dedicated to the memories of Isaac Asimov and Gene Roddenberry’”.Leonard Nimoy was master of ceremonies at the channel's launch party, held at the Hayden Planetarium in Manhattan; Asimov's widow Janet, and Roddenberry's widow Majel Barrett, were in attendance. The first program shown on the network was the film Star Wars.

Syfy Universal

Syfy Universal is a family of television stations in countries around the world broadcasting science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural and paranormal programming, and owned or licensed by entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. The first such channel was launched in the United States on September 24, 1992. It was originally named "Sci-Fi Channel", but the name Syfy was officially adopted on July 7, 2009, and most were renamed Syfy Universal by 2010. Exceptions to this renaming scheme included Syfy USA, Syfy UK, Syfy Latin America, Syfy Portugal and now defunct and replaced SF Australia, which was formerly Sci Fi Channel Australia. The Sci Fi Channels in Poland, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia, became Sci Fi Universal.

The list of Syfy or Sci Fi Universal channels includes:

See also

Syfy (Australia)

Syfy is an Australian subscription television channel dedicated to science fiction and fantasy television shows and movies. The channel launched on 1 January 2014, replacing the closing channel SF.

History

In August 2013, it was announced that Foxtel had failed to complete negotiations with the TV1 General Entertainment Partnership (of which NBCUniversal was a part member) for a new carriage deal for their channel SF (an Australian science fiction channel), and would ultimately replace it with another science fiction dedicated channel once SF's carriage deal had expired. It was announced in September that Syfy, wholly owned by NBCUniversal, would replace SF in early 2014.

Syfy is part of the international brand Syfy Universal and is wholly owned and operated by Universal Networks International (a division of NBCUniversal). In contrast, SF was an Australian exclusive brand with only 33.33% owned by NBCUniversal (with the remaining shares equally being held by CBS Studios International and Sony Pictures Television).