The Comcast/NBC owned network, the Syfy channel, looks like it’s going to continue veering away from its roots of classic science fiction TV and continue to take the dive into the realm of reality TV. Or at least that’s my take on the matter.
Syfy channel was up 11% in viewers last year, making 2011 its most watched year ever. And if they’re taking this new data and extrapolating out, then they can attribute this rise in viewers to the addition of all the reality TV programming they’ve added to the net. (And yes, the so un-sci-fi like programming of wrestling.)
Driving home this premise of mine that they’re continuing down this reality TV programming path is the TV news that they’ve hired several key folks for alternative programming and a few key folks were added to the unscripted department.
Sigh.
Then they cement my fears with the following statement:
“On the heels of Syfy’s most watched year in history, we will be launching a record number of unscripted series in 2012.”
Saying that they will be focused on the continued growth of the Syfy brand. Syfy Brand.
This chunk of news bites include TV news about the Doctor Who Christmas Special, a reboot of a classic, The Munsters; and an incidental piece about Kevin Smith’s Red State.
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First up…
Doctor Who Christmas Special Preview
For the Doctor Who fan, if you were wondering about the Christmas special coming up, we have a little bit of news for you…
The Doctor Who special is called “The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe” and will air on Christmas Day at 9 p.m. on BBC America.
It takes place in World War II here on Earth and it follows one Madge Arwell and her two kids. During the war they are evacuated to an old house located in Dorset. The curious bit abou tthis old house is its caretaker… a mysterious young man who wears a bow tie. With this strange young man is a big blue parcel is waiting for them under the tree. They are about to enter a magical new world and learn that the Time Lord (Matt Smith) never forgets his debts.”
But wait, that’s not all of it. BBC America isn’t just having a sole Doctor Who Christmas special.
Beginning on December 23rd, BBC America will start their Doctor Who telecasts by showing past Christmas specials. On Christmas Eve, they’ll air the special, Doctor Who: Best of The Christmas Specials.
Doctor Who: Best of The Christmas Specials will be an inside look at past specials, with fans of all kinds chiming in and discussing their favorite moments.
The Comcast/NBC owned network, the Syfy channel, looks like it’s going to continue veering away from its roots of classic science fiction TV and continue to take the dive into the realm of reality TV. Or at least that’s my take on the matter.
