Would Asimov think the Syfy name is ‘dumb’?

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A post-’Battlestar Galactica’ Sci Fi Channel is quickly scrambling to rebrand itself as much more than just a science fiction cable network by changing its name to Syfy, and one of the channel’s founders is not happy about it.

Exclusively at Hollywood.com, what looks to be the first of many letters from Sci Fi co-founder Mitch Rubenstein was posted. Rubenstein launched the channel with Laurie Silvers, and they now own Hollywood.com.

In the letter, Rubenstein has a bit to say about the channel’s roots and alludes to more ‘chapters’ coming about how Sci Fi came to be, but he also had some specific comments about the name change, saying: ‘What would Isaac [Asimov] have said if the name was instead Syfy Channel. He would have said (we believe): That’s just plain dumb. Syfy, say it’s not so!’

Strong words. And will the Science Fiction Writers of America continue to back the network? By now, it’s probably not much of a concern for Syfy, and it has other things to worry about like getting the domain name since there is a well-known Web portal that ... wait a minute. When you go to the onetime Syfy Portal site, you are now redirected to the new Airlock Alpha site. OK, check on that front.

Now if only the debuts of ‘Caprica’ and ‘Stargate Universe’ can go as smooth. The network plans to make the changeover July 7, when it will launch the series “Warehouse 13.”

-- Jevon Phillips

UPDATE: SCI FI Channel president Dave Howe revealed two other ideas the network tested during the naming process: SFC and Beyond. [Sci Fi Wire]

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