Sci Fi Channel founder bashes name change - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-24-2009, 12:20 AM

A co-founder of the Sci Fi Channel is taking offense at NBC Universal's plan to change the network's name.

"SyFy, say it's not so!" writes channel originator Mitch Rubenstein. "What would Isaac [Asimov] have said if the name was instead SyFy Channel? He would have said (we believe): 'That's just plain dumb.'"

Rubenstein, along with his partner Laurie Silvers, were Boca Raton entrepreneurs who conceived of a sci-fi themed cable network, then sold the concept to USA Network in 1991.

Rubenstein and Silvers now own Hollywood.com, where he posted the protest yesterday. The rest of Rubenstein's open letter gives you a pretty clear sense of sci-fi community sensitivity, and if anything should comfort the cable network's executives that this too shall pass. Back in the early '90s, apparently even calling a network the Sci Fi Channel was met with outrage.

http://www.thrfeed.com/

80sTrivia · 03-24-2009, 05:17 AM

I don't see the need to change the name and it does seem kind of dumb...

Jude The Obscure · 03-24-2009, 07:58 AM

Well, if it sounds the same......let's have Lyfetyme, Oxiejen, Spyke, TrooTeeVee, YouEssAyy! and EmmmmmmTeeVee.

*sarcasm mode now off*

catlover79 · 03-24-2009, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sTrivia

I don't see the need to change the name and it does seem kind of dumb...

You're being way too kind.

robyrob · 03-24-2009, 12:26 PM

i'm sure in some other alternate dimension it seemed like a good idea.

03-24-2009, 12:20 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Sci Fi Channel founder bashes name change A co-founder of the Sci Fi Channel is taking offense at NBC Universal's plan to change the network's name. "SyFy, say it's not so!" writes channel originator Mitch Rubenstein. "What would Isaac [Asimov] have said if the name was instead SyFy Channel? He would have said (we believe): 'That's just plain dumb.'" Rubenstein, along with his partner Laurie Silvers, were Boca Raton entrepreneurs who conceived of a sci-fi themed cable network, then sold the concept to USA Network in 1991. Rubenstein and Silvers now own Hollywood.com, where he posted the protest yesterday. The rest of Rubenstein's open letter gives you a pretty clear sense of sci-fi community sensitivity, and if anything should comfort the cable network's executives that this too shall pass. Back in the early '90s, apparently even calling a network the Sci Fi Channel was met with outrage. http://www.thrfeed.com/
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03-24-2009, 05:17 AM	#2
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	I don't see the need to change the name and it does seem kind of dumb...
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03-24-2009, 12:26 PM	#5
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,185	i'm sure in some other alternate dimension it seemed like a good idea.
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03-24-2009, 07:58 AM	#3
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Well, if it sounds the same......let's have Lyfetyme, Oxiejen, Spyke, TrooTeeVee, YouEssAyy! and EmmmmmmTeeVee. sarcasm mode now off