Ahm, okay. Apparently over the next few months, the NBC owned Sci Fi TV channel will be morphing into the SyFy TV channel, complete with the new tubular 3D logo design shown above. No, I’m not kidding. The proposed change is taking quite a drubbing on both graphic design and science fiction forums, with most asking a variation of “what the hell?” I’m afraid I have to join them – the new logo is a bit, ahm, odd, and the name doesn’t seem an improvement over the no-nonsense Sci Fi brand (with a matching to-the-point logo of the same name). Apparently the name and logo change is part of a shake-up at the network to ditch the ‘alien and trekkie – woops, trekker – vibe’ (which is kind of odd, as I would have assumed that people who are into aliens and Star Trek would be the perfect market). There’s also talk that some of the big-wigs found the name SciFi too ‘generic’ and impressed by companies with names like Digg and Fark, wanted something a little more unique that performed in Google search rankings and social networks. There’s another more practical reason for the change – the new name is unique enough to be trademarked, something that wasn’t available with the ubiquitous Sci Fi label, even though the channel is available in over 50 markets.
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If they’re so ashamed of the association with science fiction – like it’s some dread communicable disease – why didn’t they go all the way and rename themselves “SyPhi”?
You know, I try not to be one of those “change sucks” sort of knee jerk reactionaries, but whooo… this one is just too stupid.
The name change alone is one of the more ridiculous things I’d heard of, but this is the first time I’m seeing their proposed logo. And ew, is it awful.
The current logo is far better in every way. As is the current name.
I keep hoping they’ll rethink this one, but I doubt it.
this is really dumb. it looks ugly and just a stupid move
Wow. That IS bizarre. It reads as “siffy.”
SciFi is the MTV of the 00s. I’m old enough to remember when MTV showed videos, though they don’t anymore.
Now I’m also old enough to remember when SciFi showed science fiction, though they don’t anymore.
I loved when they played 60s Twilight Zones in the afternoon and the new Outer Limits at night, and Stargate, and all sorts of aliens and monsters and weird stuff. My friends loved Farscape.
Then a few years ago they stopped showing science fiction altogether, instead going to homemade disaster and bigfoot productions and I have no idea what they’re peddling in prime time anymore.
Maybe that *is* the reason for the name change. They don’t run any sci-fi, so why have it in the name?
And, the logo is weirdness!
The new logo is terrible. It’s lame. What were they thinking? Sci Fi means science fiction. I don’t know what syfy is. It’s going to leave viewers confused. Change it back!