Syfy (United Kingdom)

See Syfy Universal for a list of other Syfy channels.

Syfy
Launched	1 October 1995
Owned by	Universal Networks International
Picture format	SD: 4:3/16:9 (576i) HD: 16:9 (1080i)
Audience share	0.2% 0.0% (+1) (June 2011, BARB)
Slogan	Imagine Greater
Country	United Kingdom
Broadcast area	United Kingdom Ireland
Formerly called	Sci Fi Channel (until 13 April 2010)
Timeshift service	Syfy +1
Website	www.syfy.co.uk
Availability
Terrestrial
Top Up TV	TV Favourites
Satellite
Sky	Channel 114 (SD/HD) Channel 205 (+1) Channel 214 (SD)
Cable
Virgin Media	Channel 135 Channel 165 (HD) Channel 166 (+1)
Smallworld Cable	Channel 117
UPC Ireland	Channel 129
IPTV
TalkTalk TV	Channel 22
Freewire	Channel 152

Syfy (formerly Sci Fi Channel) is a television channel service specialising in science fiction, fantasy and horror shows and movies. It is available via digital cable, IPTV, satellite television and Top Up TV platforms. The channel launched in 1995 in the UK a sister channel to the US Sci Fi Channel (now Syfy), with a similar programming line-up. Syfy currently operates as a channel service of NBC Universal Global Networks, a division of NBC Universal.

On 13 April 2010, Sci Fi Channel relaunched as Syfy, as part of an ongoing global rebranding. The relaunch was accompanied by the premieres of V and Human Target. The channel was given a new on-air look and a tagline of Imagine Greater.

Programming

Programming in the channel's early years followed the US channel's model, then consisting largely of archive shows such as Lost in Space, The Incredible Hulk, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and films from the Paramount and MCA vaults. The channel was also notable for being one of the first UK television channels to show anime movies and television series on a regular basis. These programming choices were supplemented by a few 1980s animated series shown in the mornings such as Robotech, Bionic Six and G-Force, although they were dropped as the channel's line-up became more independent of the original US channel.

Currently, most archive and anime programming have been phased out of the channel, which now concentrates on contemporary show, movies, and other programming. One original UK production was the late-night show Headf**k , which featured excerpts from unusual TV shows, short films (including Chris Barfoot's 'Phoenix' and 'The Reckoning') and music videos from around the world. Later episodes were presented by David Icke.

Programmes on the channel throughout more recent times have included UK premieres of big-name US shows like Heroes, Flash Gordon, Eureka, and more recently Knight Rider, Legend of the Seeker and Joss Whedon's Dollhouse. Also shown as of February 2007 are digitally remastered episodes of Star Trek (not to be confused with the remastered series with new CGI).

As of April 2008, the channel has reached an average of three million UK and Ireland households a week, and appeals to male and female demographics equally.

Initially, the channel shared its transponder with no less than five other satellite television channels at one point, limiting its out-put to early evenings and late nights, with the rest of its continuous daytime programming (including cartoons) restricted to cable.

Syfy HD

A high-definition simulcast channel was launched on the Sky+ HD service as the 31st HD channel on Sky. A range of high definition movies, including Sci Fi Channel original production Ba'al: The Storm God, aired on the channel along with Eli Stone, Tin Man and Sanctuary.

It was added to Virgin Media on 1 April 2010.

See also

• List of science fiction television programs
• List of Syfy (United Kingdom) programmes

External links

• Syfy UK Official site