Syfy (Australian TV channel)

Syfy was an Australian pay television channel dedicated to science fiction and fantasy television shows and movies. The channel was launched on 1 January 2014, replacing SF.[1][2]

This article is about the Australian channel. For channels in other countries, see List of Syfy TV channels.

Syfy
CountryAustralia
Broadcast areaAustralia
SloganIt's a fan thing
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 16:9 576i for the SDTV feed)
Timeshift serviceSyfy + 2
Ownership
OwnerUniversal Networks International
(NBCUniversal)
Sister channels13th Street
CNBC Australia
E!
Style Network
Universal TV
Euronews
History
Launched1 January 2014
ReplacedSF
Closed31 December 2019
Replaced byFox Sci-Fi (Foxtel only)
Links
Websitesyfy.com.au
Availability
Cable
FoxtelChannel 123 (HD)
Channel 163 (+ 2)
Channel 1123 (SD)
Satellite
FoxtelChannel 123 (HD)
Channel 163 (+ 2)
Channel 1123 (SD)
IPTV
Foxtel PlayChannel 123
Fetch TVChannel 109 (HD)
Streaming media
Foxtel GoChannel 123

On 31 December 2019, it was replaced with Fox Sci-Fi.

History

In August 2013, it was announced that Foxtel had failed to complete negotiations with the TV1 General Entertainment & TV2 kids channel Partnership (of which NBCUniversal was a part member) for a new carriage deal for their channel SF (an Australian science fiction channel), and would ultimately replace it with another science fiction dedicated channel once SF's carriage deal had expired.[3] It was announced in September that Syfy, wholly owned by NBCUniversal, would replace SF in early 2014.[1]

Syfy is part of the international brand Syfy Universal and is wholly owned and operated by Universal Networks International (a division of NBCUniversal). In contrast, SF was an Australian exclusive brand with only 33.33% owned by NBCUniversal (with the remaining shares equally being held by CBS Studios International and Sony Pictures Television).[3][1]

On 15 April 2014, Syfy launched on Australian IPTV provider Fetch TV.[4]

On 17 September 2017, the channel received a new logo alongside refreshed branding as part of an international overhaul of the brand by NBCUniversal.[5]

On 7 November 2019, Foxtel announced that Syfy would be replaced by Fox Sci-Fi on 17 December 2019. Syfy finally closed down on Australian IPTV provider Fetch TV at midnight on 31 December 2019, after which the channel space created in 2006 by SF ceased to exist.

Programming

Programming featured classic and new science fiction and fantasy television shows and movies.[6][7]

Original Programming

Acquired Programming

Second-Run Programming

Movies

Criticism

Syfy has come under criticism from Foxtel subscribers for a number of programming related issues, specifically regarding the high number of repeats and the low quality of the Syfy programming. Significantly, Syfy Australia did not hold the rights to any of the Star Trek franchise, while its predecessor did.[25][26][27] This has changed and Deep Space Nine, Enterprise, The Next Generation, The Original Series and Voyager has made their way onto the channel.

References
  1. Knox, David (30 September 2013). "Syfy to launch on Foxtel". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  2. "Summer Channel Changes". Foxtel. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  3. "Mediaweek Australia – News – TV1 to disappear from Foxtel platform". Media Week. 16 August 2013. Archived from the original on 23 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  4. Knox, David (15 April 2014). "Syfy joins FetchTV". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  5. Samios, Zoe (13 September 2017). "NBCUniversal unveils new SYFY brand identity". Mumbrella.
  6. Knox, David (26 November 2013). "Syfy reveals more titles for 2014". TV Tonight. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  7. "Foxtel's TVH!TS is the new channel destination for TV's greatest hits from Wednesday, January 1". 16 December 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  8. Knox, David (25 February 2015). "Airdate: 12 Monkeys". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  9. Purcell, Charles. "12 Monkeys: 10 ways Hollywood is trying to kill us". Foxtel. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  10. Knox, David (8 April 2015). "Dark Matter coming to Syfy in June". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  11. Knox, David (1 June 2015). "Defiant Grant Bowler centrestage for Syfy". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  12. Geeks Who Drink: Premieres March 17 (Trailer). Syfy Australia. 7 March 2016. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016.
  13. Knox, David (16 September 2015). "Returning: Haven". TV Tonight. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  14. Purcell, Charles (21 January 2016). "New This Week (Jan 25): War & Peace, Suits, Black Sails, Bear Grylls and live sport". The Green Room. Archived from the original on 21 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  15. Knox, David (29 January 2016). "Killjoys". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  16. Knox, David (29 April 2016). "Airdate: The Magicians". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  17. Purcell, Charles (8 January 2016). "NEW THIS WEEK (Jan 11): Pretty Little Liars, The Last Ship, Golden Globes and live sport". The Green Room. Archived from the original on 8 January 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  18. Knox, David (8 December 2015). "Airdate: The Shannara Chronicles". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  19. Higgins, D (30 March 2015). "APRIL on FOXTEL: Game Of Thrones, Mad Men, Wentworth, Deadline Gallipoli and 200+ other new shows". The Green Room. Foxtel. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  20. Knox, David (29 March 2015). "Airdate: Z Nation". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  21. Knox, David (22 August 2015). "Returning: Z Nation". TV Tonight. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  22. Knox, David (30 March 2016). "Returning: Alphas". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  23. Knox, David (15 January 2015). "Syfy to mark 10th anniversary of Battlestar Galactica". TV Tonight. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  24. Space, the final frontier (Trailer). Syfy Australia. 6 November 2015.
  25. "Stargate SG1 - Foxtel Community". Foxtel. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  26. "WhaT happened to all the Star Trek series - Foxtel Community". Foxtel. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  27. "Sharkando week - has Syfy just given up altogether... - Foxtel Community". Foxtel. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
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