Talk show host is considering runs for Senate, White House.
'Syfy' Having Identity Issues
Cable channel having a very bad time with new name.
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“People say, 'Oh, they didn't notice this,' but in fact, we've been incredibly thorough.”
Meanwhile, there were proactive steps taken on the internet, with domain names like “syfysucks.com” purchased by the channel in advance.
Unfortunately, there were only so many contingencies Howe and his team could build in.
The website “nosyfy.com” urges visitors to complain to Howe directly, and even gives them his email address to do so. The site even mocks the channel's new “Imagine Greater” tagline with one of its own, “Imagine Better.”
Then there's Poland, where, apparently, the verbal relationship between Syfy and syphilis is extremely close for a name designed for international travel.
“Chances are that if you make up a word, it's going to have other connotations,” Howe said.
Comments
JazmineP Says
The Sci Fi Channel undergoes brand reassignment surgery today to become Syfy (pronounced like Sci Fi), in an effort to attract new and different segments of the television audience, like, for instance, females of any age whatsoever. The latest insult to the English language and proof of the decreasing value of education and drop in the average national IQ is being done so people aren't confused about the channel. No one was before, but an easy loan at this point won't stop them from belittling us all by naming the channel Syfy . No one was before, but an easy loan at this point won't stop them from belittling us all by naming the channel Syfy.
For more info visit: http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/07/07/syfy-sci-fi/
Jane Says
The SCI FI channel is dead. Long live Syfy. It's not the only cable network to rename/rebrand itself, but it definitely is one of the more controversial name changes. You can see a fun, historical list of network name/logo changes at TVTango.
http://tvtango.com/news/detail/id/44
Aeros Says
I actually like the name 'PsiPhi' better...but im afraid that's 50% too many letters.
Edward Arroyo Says
The choice of SyFy as the "new branding" of SciFi (so cool) just goes to show how stupid upper management is in trying to force "some new id concept" for "widenlng
the range of channel content." I don't watch this channel that much, but will less as I see that those people who have to justify their bulging bank accounts coming up with "brilliant" ideas are pretty dumb. Why not call the channel "PsiPhi," that's
pretty fantastic?! It just goes to show that the "bean counters" are still in control and when it comes to making changes in creative matters, the creatives have all left the room (sigh... or should I say... sy?).
Aeros Says
Syfy is really such a terrible name. I remember looking at the SciFi network forums a couple of months ago and there were TONS of people criticizing the name change. Why take something that works, have a decade and a half of name recognition, a loyal following and change it? the quote that 'The Learning Channel' went to TLC and 'Biography' went to BIO. So they are shortening it by 1 character..ok. We already have enough illiteracy in the world..why add to it? This guy Howe sounds like he is in complete denial and a typical executive who is to stubborn to listen to the actual fans. I know a lot of fans that are shaking their heads at the name change. I also fear that the name change which it's 'verbal relationship' might live up to the name for the network if they're not careful. BTW there are still plenty of very common 'syfy******.com names out there that are still available, I don't think they thought the range out very well.
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