Sci-Fi Channel
The Sci-Fi Channel is an American cable station. It produces many of its own shows, specializing in the science fiction, fantasy and horror genres. The station also runs many science fiction shows in syndication.
Fast Facts
- Launched: September 24, 1992
- Owner: NBC Universal
- Headquarters: New York City
- First cable station to air the original Star Trek series
History
In 1992, Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios joined forces to launch a cable network dedicated to science fiction. Initially the network ran mostly classic science fiction movies and TV shows from both companies' archives, but eventually began producing original content.
Original Programming
Some of the first original programming aired on SciFi was Mystery Science Theater 3000, which they picked up after Comedy Central canceled the series. In 1999 they began airing the series Farscape, about an American astronaut in the outer reaches of space with a rag-tag alien crew, which achieved critical acclaim and a rabid fanbase. It continued picking up canceled science fiction series with its adoption of Showtime's Stargate SG-1, about present-day explorers who travel the galaxy via intergalactic wormholes, which ran for five years on SciFi and spawned a spinoff, Stargate Atlantis. The re-imagining of classic science fiction series Battlestar Galactica became a critical darling, and Eureka (TV Show), a show about a town full of oddball scientists, had ratings success.
Reality Programming and Movies
SciFi's Saturday night original movies have become popular for their high camp value. SciFi also airs weekly wrestling shows from ECW.
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