Why did scifi change their name

On Tuesday, the Sci Fi Channel changes its name to Syfy -- pronounced "sigh-fie," the same as the current name -- a moniker that's attracted its share of mockery since its announcement three months ago.

The idea is to expand Sci Fi's audience, but some members of that audience have expressed their displeasure. Howe says "we're not worried," despite the old admonition that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

With the new name, shows such as "Galactica" can be exposed to a wider audience, one not scared away by all that "Sci Fi" connotes "space and aliens and the future," in Howe's words. And, of course, it's about the bottom line, which has been true for a number of cable networks over the past few years. There was a time when the name of a cable network said it all.

But over the years, as the cable universe has grown, each network has sought to grab a distinctive slice for itself in hopes of bringing in viewers -- and money. Some have changed names entirely, such as The Nashville Network, once a country music channel that became TNN and then Spike, devoted to younger males. Others have simply refocused their branding, as in the case of USA -- once a general-interest hodgepodge -- and its slogan, "Characters Welcome," which has allowed the network to cast a wide net with original shows such as "Monk" and "Burn Notice" and reruns of popular dramas such as "House" and "NCIS.

Marketing expert Rachel C. Weingarten, who was part of the team that helped turn TNN into Spike, says the network's old name wasn't attracting the key male demographic or the advertiser dollars that came with it. Changing the name to Spike gave the network visibility and -- thanks to more programming of action movies and combat-oriented shows -- more appeal to men.

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After all, it's not easy to find something that is both memorable and well-loved. But is such a change always the right answer? This sort of alteration always entails a risk. Sometimes, it benefits the company. Other times, things are more complicated. Despite what non-fans may think, Sci-fi is as diverse a genre as any. Even so, Sci-fi is often associated with a specific aesthetic and conventions that most people will either love or hate.

For channel president David Howe and his team, Sci-fi encapsulates the whole speculative umbrella, from science fantasy and horror to more magical settings, or even realistic ones with a subtle paranormal twist. This is reflected in some of SyFy's best shows. Unfortunately, many don't view it that way, and still think Sci-fi is just about aliens, technology, and futuristic landscapes.

While there's nothing wrong with those, viewers who are averse to this type of aesthetic might forgo a lot of media that are anything but, just because they're labeled as Science Fiction. The name change, therefore, can be attributed to the wish not to alienate such audiences — again, pun intended.