Conference noted::sf

    Sounds like a short broadcast day or LOTS of reruns to me! ;^)
    
    Sherry

    re:-1
    You'll see more episodes of SPACE:1999 than you ever dreamed of.
    
    Will it be new material? New shows? "Isaac Asimov's SF Television"
    
    Steve p

    And maybe, hopefully, Dr Who, Blakes 7, ST:TOS
    
    And maybe not so hopefully, lost in farce, time tunnel, voyage to the
    bottom of the sea
    
    And some classic sf movies, like Forbidden Planet!
    
    I actually think it could be quite good (my wife may disagree!).
    
    Tony

                and  how   about  Battlestar  Galactica  and  the
                Prisoner!!  And  one  of my all time favorites...
                Logan's Run!  That would be the cubes.
                
                I read about this  station  in  the "Multichannel
                News", a cable TV publication.   It's just on the
                drawing  boards  at  the  moment  and  may  never
                happen.  I believe it was based in Florida.
                
                - Rob -
                

    Unfortunately, I don't have the latest issue of LOCUS , which has
    an article about it. In any case, Asimov isn't "starting" it, but
    is one of a board of consultants.
    
    There is supposed to be some original programming, re-runs of sf
    tv series� and movies, and quite possibly some non-fiction
    programming (review shows, filmed interviews with authors, etc.)
    
    --- jerry
    
    � There are certainly enough sf/fantasy/horror tv series -- American
    and British -- to fill out the programming day. Add movies into
    the bargain, and there would be no problem.

 Below is the article on the sci fi channel. It is from the august issue 
    of filmfax. I was wrong about the all sci fi format.I do feel with the
    format it should be quite popular
    




           A sci-fi film fan's dream come true

Calling all science fiction, horror, and fantasy fans.
 Have we got some great late breaking news for you! Isaac Asimov, world-
famous science fiction writer, author of over 400 books, and all-around 
nifty person, announced recently that the science fiction channel,inc.,for 
which he is official spokesperson,is preparing to launch ( are you ready?)
THE SCI-FI CHANNEL in late 1990. As Asimov explained, the sci-fi channel 
will be a new 24-hour national basic cable television network featuring all
science fiction, horror and fantasy programming!
 
 In a recent nationwide Gallup Poll, commissioned be the SCI-FI CHANNEL,
random test groups were asked which of four programming choices they would
prefer. Participants were asked to choose between a science fiction channel,
a children's channel, aq rock music channel and a shopping channel. A science
fiction channel was ( as you might have guessed) the overwhelming favorite.
 
 President and co-founder, media entrepreneur Mitchell Rubenstein also went
on record, stating that, "the sci-fi channel's unique mix of original, classic
and vintage programming will be designed to appeal to the entire family."
Rubenstein then went on to explain that the sci-fi channel had grown out of 
the "enormous popularity and commercial success of the genre in the film,
television and publishingindustries." 
 Filmfax will remain in contact with the sci-fi channel to keep our readers
up to date with any new developments. First came cable's z-tv, and now our 
very own, honest-to-rockets science fiction channel. Finally, pay television 
is testing the limits of it true potential.

    re .4
    
    The Prisoner was ok (if a bit obscure and VERY dated!) but "Battlestar
    Ponderosa" was the most pretentious piece of shit ever foisted on
    a SF starved public.  

    
    	What about a show called U.F.O.? I remember watching it when
    I was a teenager. I thought it was really good then (but that was
    a time when I watched "The Dukes of Hazard") I think it was a British
    show. It would be a good channel to have movies like 'Dark Star'
    and other campy stuff like that. 
    
    Steve

    	Please see SF Topic 596 for details on the U.F.O. series.
    

                Battlestar Ponderosa?!?!?  You slay me!  :')
                
                [I loved that show myself ...]
                
                Then again,  Bugs  Bunny  is  another  one  of my
                favorite shows.
                
                

    	I guess it takes all kinds. You're not alone in your dislike of
    BSG, most critics seemed to hate it as well. Of course, these same
    critics really got off on the Star Wars phenomenom. I was almost 180
    degrees. Liked Battlestar Galactica, thought SW insulting (maybe its
    because I expect very little from TV, and have higher standards for the
    movies).

    MikeJ

    You mean Cattlecar Dyslexia, fighting against Ted Turner and his
    Crayon Tyranny?
    
    (just kidding!)
    
    I didn't love BSG, nor did I hate it.  It was OK.  I like Richard
    Hatch.
    
    K.C.

    I don't want to act like a curmudgeonly old fart here, but let's
    discuss individual shows in their own topics (if there isn't one
    on a given program already, start one). Let's leave this topic
    open for discussing the SF (I refuse to call it "sci-fi") Channel
    and what type of programming (*in general*) it could/should/will
    have.
    
    --- jerry

    Okey-dokey, --jerry! ;^)
    
    Hey, this might actually have some potential.  Somebody was asking
    about "Making of..." shorts in another note -- what better place
    to air/tape them?  Star Trek and other fan conventions could be
    covered as news.  Authors could be interviewed and thus filmed for
    posterity.  Experimental film could be shown and critiqued.  Fantasy
    children's shorts from other countries (as are now shown on "Long
    Ago and Far Away" on PBS might fit.  Maybe somebody will do a decent
    new version of "The Hobbit"!!  And there's the film version of "A
    Boy and His Dog", a video experience *I* won't soon forget! 
    
    I suppose Outer Limits, Twilight Zone, and Night Gallery would be
    more-or-less in this category (sf-horror).  Maybe that guy who does
    the eerie Rod Serling impression will be a host!
    
    I hope they have enough budget to create new programming -- maybe
    more films of great sf books, like "The Lathe of Heaven" was.
    
    "Pay TV", eh?  Watch the local cable bundle it with something
    *wonderful*!
    
    Sherry

    A friend of mine says that if this channel comes here, that will
    be just the incentive to buy a VCR.
    
    Getting just a bit silly, how about if in the mornings they show
    the cartoons "Journey To The Center Of The Earth" and "Fantastic
    Voyage"?  (Anyone remember those?)
    
    I definitely think that this is a great idea, and a bunch of us
    here (a lot of my non-DEC friends and I) are awaiting (im)patiently!
    
    K.C.

If they pick up on the old Fireball XL-5 and Thunderbirds TV shows
it may push me into finally getting cable...

	Bob A. (one of the few who still uses antennae)

                Thunderbirds?!?!?!  ugh ... :')
                
                Now,  Fantastic  Voyage,  that  cartoon  was  the
                cubes!
                
                

      I can tink of a few thousand possibilities. All excellent in my
    opinion
     Has anyone heard anything else?

    Cubes?
    
    K.C.

    RE .20
    YA,	a kind of Solid Square!	8^)
    
    Regards,
    	-fjp-

    re.17
    
    Thunderbugs and Furball XL-5? Let's go even before that: to Supercar!
    
    steve p

    And how about good ol' Max Headroom?
    
                                                   
                  /
                 (  ___
                  ) ///
                 /

    
    ...and Tom Corbett, and Rocky Jones, and Science Fiction Theater
    ("With your host, Truman Bradley.")...and all the other stuff I
    wasn't _quite_ old enough to appreciate...
    
    E.

    re: .14
    
    > ...discussing the SF (I refuse to call it "sci-fi") Channel...
                           
    That's a shame, because according to all we've seen here, so far:
                                                                     
    re: .6                                                           
                                                                     
    > A sci-fi film fan's dream come true                            
                                                                     
    > ...preparing to launch ( are you ready?) THE SCI-FI CHANNEL... 
                                                                     
    > As Asimov explained, the sci-fi channel                        
                                                                     
    > ...commissioned be the SCI-FI CHANNEL...
    
    > media entrepreneur Mitchell Rubenstein...   ..."the sci-fi channel's...
                                                           
    etc, etc, etc...
    
    It is, in fact, the sci-fi channel, not the SF CHANNEL.
    
    In any event, I would be looking to the sci-fi channel to present
    a lot of the "Making of..." type of shows too.  A great location
    to show the details of sci-fi special FX and other aspects of creating,
    producing, etc, such a show or movie.
    
    jim
    

    re:.25
    
    With the possible exception of the phrase (all in caps) "THE
    SCI-FI CHANNEL", there's nothing in that release transcribed in
    .6 that indicates that "sci-fi" is anything more than what the
    writer of that release wants to call science fiction, i.e. it's
    not clear to me that "The Sci-Fi Channel" is actually the name
    of the thing. I'll have to take another look at the article in
    LOCUS about it.
    
    Nota bene: I do not wish to start an argument about whether the
    phrase "sci-fi" is good or bad or whatever. I do not attempt to
    "correct" other people's use of it or convince them that they
    shouldn't use it. I, however, dislike it, and will not use it
    myself except under particular circumstances.
    
    --- jerry

    re: .15   And out-takes and film-rescued-from-the-cutting-room-floor
              and old "trailers"...
    
    re: .24   and Commando Cody and Flash Gordon and the old Superman
              cartoons from the 30's & 40's and even the Space Angel...
    
    re: Jerry  Ya gotta remember he's a purist; he wouldn't be caught
               dead in a Green Lantern suit w/o the ring...
                                                           
    							Don

    I just returned from England and saw Red Dwarf-- which I know has
    been commented elsewhere. The scuttlebutt I heard over there was
    the american rights to R.D. have already been purchased. I like
    the show and hope they don't butcher it over here as they have so
    many other british imports. It occurred to me, however. Did the
    sf cable channel buy the rights to it? And if so: would they show
    it uncut and as original?
    
    Also: has anybody heard whose money is behind the channel?
    
    steve popkes
    

    
    	I was just wondering if there was any recent news about the Science
    Fiction cable channel. Is there anything definite? Or is it all just
    wishful thinking? If anyone's heard anything lately, let us all know.
    
    Steve Bill
    

    
    Well here it is 1990!  Any news yet on the project?
    

Path: shlump.nac.dec.com!decwrl!wuarchive!brutus.cs.uiuc.edu!caesar.cs.montana.edu!milton!cfogg
From: [email protected] (Chad Fogg)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf-lovers,rec.arts.tv
Subject: Re: SF Cable Channel (coming in December!)
Date: 5 Jan 90 23:30:48 GMT
 
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Donald Simmons) writes:
>
>     I remember hearing several months ao that a science fiction cable
>channel was being set up in the US. I haven't heard anything since about it
>so what's its status? What kind of shows do you get on it (Star Trek five
>times a day perhaps :-) ), and is there any chance of it being available in
>Canada?
 
The Science Fiction Channel has recently secured a satellite transponder,
Gene Roddenberry was appointed to its board, and according to the lastest
issue of _Variety_,  an independent communications has signed a contract
with SFC to produce a weekly half-hour news magazine aimed at futurists 
and future-oriented news (probably a mix of CNN's "Science and Technology
Week" and "Future Watch.")
 
The Science Fiction Channel debuts in December of this year.  It will
feature stock sci-fi films, SF & fantasy TV series, and an occasional 
new production.
 
I haven't heard anything on availablity in Canada.  If you have
a Satellite dish and receiver, you can most likely get it in 
Southern Canada at least.  Problem is: since it's so new, will
it employ the new Video Cipher II+ encryption?

    As for the amount of programming the SFC could present, prompted
    by one of the questions posed in the article quoted in .-1, I
    tried to think of all the tv shows I could that fall into the
    realm of sf, fantasy, or horror. These included a couple of real
    borderline cases, such as some of the spy shows that often strayed
    into sf, but did *not* include some of the broadcast live shows
    from the 50's which probably don't exist any more much beyond a
    few poor-quality kinescopes, nor did it include any cartoons
    (but yes on the Supermarionation shows).
    
    Anyway, just counting off in my head, I came up with about *70*
    different shows (obviously, of different length). A quick skim over
    a couple of reference books yielded over 10 more I'd forgotten about.
    I'm sure that with a little diligent hunting, and including some
    of the deliberate exclusions, I'm sure I could increase the count
    to over 100.
    
    --- jerry

    Re: .32
    
    Supermarionation??
    
    K.C.

    re .33
    
    supermarionation:
    
    Captain Scarlet
    Thunderbirds
    etc.
    
    marionettes with occasional use of closeups of actors hands for detail.
    For example, showing a real hand pushing forward the throttle of a jet.
    
                                                   
                  /
                 (  ___
                  ) ///
                 /
    

I just hope it doesn't turn out to be as asinine as the Comedy channel. All that 
they show are parts of clips from old movies that are supposed to be funny. Well
a couple of them are but then they show them 15-20 times a day and then they
put in these attempted comics between the clips that are not even close enough
to being funny to want to watch. I just hope for the SF channel that we get
Movies, TV shows, Cartoons etc without having to put up with time filling
antics. I hope that if they only have 5 hours worth of material a day that they
are only on for 5 hours.

    re:.32
    
    "Supermarionation" is a trademarked name for the process that Gerry
    Anderson used for his puppet shows like THUNDERBIRDS. There are
    certainly processes involved (most notably with the mouth movements)
    that make them more than "just" marionettes.
    
    --- jerry

    
    Puppets? I thought that Supermarionation was a new term to describe
    what the US has turned into: a Super Mario Nation. Sorry, bad joke.
    
    				

    	According to the January 27-February 2 edition of TV GUIDE,
    the SCI-FI CHANNEL will start on December 31, 1990.  It will show
    SF and horror films, TV series, factual science programs, discussions
    of SF literature, and even SF-type news reports (on UFOs and such). 
    Isaac Asimov and Gene Roddenberry are on the network's board of
    directors.
    
        TV GUIDE gives the SCI-FI CHANNEL little chance of making it, but
    I say let's wait until it's been on for a while and judge for yourself.
    
        Larry
                                                          

    I read that blurb.
    
    I LOVE the reason that they give the station little chance!  MY guess
    is that the person who wrote the article just doesn't care for SF.
    
    K.C.

    Well, MTV only had a very small stable of videos at first and iT
    made it (and how).  And lookit CNN, or ESPN.  I recall they weren't
    exactly the most riveting of channels at first, but I get my news
    from CNN now.
    
    If it makes it won't depend so much on the content, per se, but
    rather what that content is, how good, how well presented, et all.
    
    --kim

    Will the new SF cable be a channel like HBO or Disney that one must
    pay an additional fee for or will you be able to receive it if you
    just have the basic cable?
    

    That depends on what you mean by "basic". Most cable systems are
    three-tiered:
    
    Basic gives you local broadcast stations plus some "superstations"
    like WPIX, WGN, WTBS, and so forth.
    
    Expanded cable gives you certain speciality channels like Lifetime,
    Nickelodeon, CNN, MTV, Arts & Entertainment, and so forth.
    
    Premium is where HBO, Disney, ESPN, and the like hang out.
    
    I'd be willing to bet that the "Sci-Fi" Channel will be in the
    second tier.
    
    --- jerry

    If the channel's any good some of you technical whiz kids had better
    find a way to network it to Britain.  We may make some good SF
    programmes but there is very little chance of seeing them with only
    4 TV channels (excluding the Dirty Digger's Satellite of course). 

    re: .33 "Supermarionation"   You're showing your age, K.C.
    
    						Don

    Is that durn thing showing AGAIN!??  ;^)
    
    K.C.

    Do we know if the channel will commission original shows or will
    it just be collecting existing material for rebroadcast?
    
    steve p
    
    

    I would imagine that, if for no other reason than a tight budget,
    that it will start off with only rebroadcasts of previously shown
    material. Maybe if it's a success, it will start creating material
    of its own.
    
    This is just my speculation, though.
    
    --- jerry

    I dunno about Cable, but KTEH (channel 54 in the SF Bay area) shows a lot
    of Sci-Fi, including Blake's 7, Dr. Who, Red Dwarf, Space 1999, and The
    Outer Limits.  They were taking pledges last night, so it must be Public
    Television, though it's not the main PBS affiliate in the area.

    They were talking about adding Space Troopers (Br.) and Timezone (Am.)
    to their reportoire (sp) if we coughed up da bux.

    -- mikeK

    According to CNN news The sci fi channel will start broadcasting next 
    January. They already have a satellite transponder and several cable
    company contracts. I hope my cable co. carries it.
    Roy

    re:.49
    
    The thing to do is to call your cable company *NOW* and ask them
    if they plan to. If they haven't made a decision, then request
    that they pick it up.
    
    --- jerry

    Maybe they can show some Anime (Japanese animation) also. I think it
    would be pretty easy to get the old ones that have already been
    translated (unfortunately, in the process of doing this, they took a
    lot out to make them acceptable for children i.e. plot simplification
    and editing of violence), like Star Blazers (Space Cruiser Yamato)--my
    all time favorite space opera and Robotech.
    
    Even better would be faithfully translated (either subtitled or dubbed)
    versions of anime TV series, OAVs (Original Animated Videos--short made
    for video movies (30-70 minutes), and feature films. These would be
    cheaper (I think) than producing entirely new original shows, and would
    also allow us fans to see a lot of good SF that we would otherwise not
    get to see. I would love to see Bubblegum Crisis, Dirty Pair, Wings of
    Honneamise, Akira, Nausicaa, Laputa and a dozen others in English.
    There are even some adaptations of SF novels such as Lensman and
    Starship Troopers.
    
    By the way, does anyone know if there is a Topic for Anime in this
    conference (or any other)?
    
    -Eric
    

    NODEMO::ANIMATION has some topics on anime. Topic #47 is a general
    topic on anime, with other scattered topics on individual series
    or movies.
    
    Hit SELECT or KP7 to add the conference to your notebook.
    
    --- jerry

    	Topic 404 discusses SF animation.
     

    
    is the sci fi channel real or vaporware?
    
    thanks,
    
    brad
    

                Last I've heard, it's coming along, but won't
                be aired until early 1991.

                According to Multichannel News...

I saw in OMNI magazine an ad for the Sci-Fi cable TV Channel.  It only lists
a 900 number to call.  I thought it was for subscribing. It turned out to only
be an answering machine recording. They charged me 2 bucks for it.  I left my
name and number for more information.  Apparently this whole thing is still in
the works.  The recording said that it plans to air all episode of DR WHO and
DARK SHADOWS.  Has anyone else heard anymore about this?

    It's not something that one can just subscribe to as an individual
    -- whether you get it or not depends on whether your cable company
    will carry it. It *should* be part of the extended-basic package
    (like A&E or Nickelodeon) and not a premium channel (like Disney
    or HBO). The best thing to do is call your cable company, find out
    if they are carrying it, and if they haven't decided yet, request
    that they do pick it up.
    
    Nashoba Cable (which services Littleton) is definitely picking it
    up, and had told me when I asked that the projected state-up of
    the Sci-Fi Channel is late March, but that that wasn't firm.
    
    --- jerry

    re:.58
    
    The Sci-Fi Channel is *not* available anywhere yet. They've yet
    to start operation.
    
    --- jerry

================================================================================
Note 322.2                 THE SCIENCE FICTION CHANNEL                    2 of 2
NYTP07::LAM "Q ��Ktl��"                              16 lines  21-FEB-1991 01:36
                   -< Bring the SF Channel to New York City >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I called my local cable TV company and asked them about this.  They
    told me that in order for them to carry the Sci-Fi cable TV channel
    they have to get enough requests in order to justify it.  For some
    reason it is not available in New York but my cable station said that
    if enough people ask for it they will carry it.  I understand that the
    Sci Fi cable TV channel is available in some cities.  For those who
    live in New York City and would like to see this available in their
    cable TV service write to the following person.
    
    	Steve Pagano
    	BQ Cable TV
    	46-61 Kissena Boulevard
    	Flushing, New York 11355
    
    I urge everyone to write.  Thanx.
    
    

                 <<< EOT::EOT_18773:[NOTES$LIBRARY]TV.NOTE;1 >>>
                              -< TV or not TV... >-
================================================================================
Note 30.4                         Cable service                           4 of 4
STAR::HUGHES "You knew the job was dangerous when you took it Fred."  23 lines  25-FEB-1991 12:57
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    FYI, the Sci-Fi channel is now scheduled for a May-June 1991 startup.
    
    Its location (i.e. which satellite will be used) has not been
    determined, but it will likely be either Satcom C1 (bad new, as it
    doesn't carry much of interest to east coast cable, is low on the
    horizon and your caco is unlikely to already have a dish pointing at
    it) or Satcom F4 (good news, as it carries Playboy, several NY and NE
    sports channels, is high above the horizon and your caco is likely to
    already have a dish pointed at it).
    
    Their studios are evidently in Orlando, FL, as they 'have been
    integrated into the MGM/Disney studio tours'.
    
    They will be publishing a fan magazine (tie in with Omni and Fan Clubs,
    Inc, the latter publish some Star Trek magazine). There is some other
    tie-in with Doubleday publishing.
    
    Sci_Fi Channel will have some original programming including a game
    show (?), sitcom (??), 'The Comic Book Show', 'NASA Watch' and reviews.
    
    The above is from the Feb24 issue of Satellite TV Week.
    
    gary

    Has anyone heard anything about this?  It's been awhile.  There use to
    be ads for it in Omni magazine all the time but recent issues I haven't
    seen them

		A recent TV Guide (within the last week or two) had a
	little bit of info about this:

		"For now, however, the channel looks more like fiction
	than science. Underfunded, Sci-Fi postponed its planned spring
	'91 launch date. The future may brighten for Sci-Fi if USA Net-
	work invests in it."




	--- Shawn

    Saw an ad on TV this weekend:
    
    	Coming September 24th,  The SCI-FI Channel.
    
    
    
    					Chris

Article 25822 of rec.arts.drwho:
Newsgroups: rec.arts.drwho
Path: nntpd2.cxo.dec.com!nntpd.lkg.dec.com!news.crl.dec.com!deccrl!decwrl!mips!darwin.sura.net!uvaarpa!murdoch!faraday.clas.Virginia.EDU!ira2p
From: [email protected] (Iain Robert Asplin)
Subject: Definite news on SciFi Cahannel
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Sender: [email protected]
Organization: University of Virginia
Distribution: rec.arts.drwho,  and CableVisions across the US
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 01:19:22 GMT

The following is a letter I recevied today in response to a letter I
sent USA Network some time ago regarding the SciFi Channel:

Dear SciFi Channel,
	We are thrilled to be able to introduce ourselves to you as the
new owners of the SCI-FI CHANNEL.  USA Network is one of the largest,
most successful basic cable networks.  We hope to apply the same 
expertise to the management of our new network.  As the SCI-FI CHANNEL's
most loyal supporters, we want to give you an update on the progress of
your network.
	WE WILL LAUNCH THE SCI-FI CHANNEL (SFC) on SEPTEMBER 24,1992
		with the prime time presentation of "STAR WARS!"
Our immediate goal is to bring SFC to as many people as possible on our
launch date.  Since your local cable system controls which networks you
can receive, we are currently trying to encourage local cable operators
to offer SFC to their subscribers on September 24th.  Your local cable
system may not be able to carry the SFC immediately due to limited channl
capacity or other restrictions, however they are interested in knowing
what cable networks their customers want to receive.

You can help by writing to your local cable company, to the attention of the
System Manager, and telling them that you want to see the SCI-FI CHANNEL on
September 24th!

On the programming front, we want to bring you up-to-date on what SFC
programs we have acquired and what ORIGINAL programming we are currently
developing.  The following are just some of the series that the SFC has secured.
Amazing Stories
Bionic Woman
Dark Shadows
Space: 1999
Buck Rogers
Other World
War of the Worlds
Invisible Man
Voyagers
Doctor Who   (yeah!)
Flash Gordon
Night Stalker
Lost in Space
Alien Nation
Incredible Hulk
Tales From the Darkside
Rod Serling's Night Gallery
Battlestar Galactica
Star Trek Movies
One Step Beyond
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea

In addition to these classic programs, SFC is developing original programs
for the channel.  Thanks to foresight and initiative by our owners, Paramount
and Universal, SFC will produce an unprecedented 12 ORIGNAL MOTION PICTURES
in the first year, a $30 million production commitment!  We are also
developing several original series and specials to air in Year One.

We know that you have been patiently waiting to hear from us.  As you can
imagine we have a tremendous amount of work to do by September 24th.
Part of our efforts will be directed towards the SFC FAN CLUB and putting
together programs and items especially for you.  We appreciate your
continued patience as we get programs and staff in place.  Look for a 
more complete SFC FAN CLUB mailing shortly.

We value your supposrt and enthusiasm for SFC and look forward to bringing
you a channel you can be proud of on September 24th!

Sincerely,
Paul van de Kamp
SCI-FI CHANNEL

They also enclosed a petition form.  They would like people to try and
organize some sort of mass signings and then turn those signatures
over to their local cable companies, and sent a copy to them.

here's their address:

SCI-FI CHANNEL 
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY
10020

phone (212) 408-9100

    Too bad it's USA Network that's the parent.  They're the ones who show
    a movie and bleep/dub out all the words they consider bad, even at 3
    AM.  It makes the dialog in some movies very difficult to follow...
    
    
    ginny

    
    I thought I saw an ad for a preview of it before it will
    start. It will be hosted by Michael Dorn, Lt Worf of Star Trek,
    the Next Generation. Also I recall from somewhere it will be
    avaliable by owners of Satilite Dish owners, cany anybody comfirm
    any of this. Also what will the fequency it will be brodcasting aT?
    
    Thanks
    
    jw
    
     

    My Mom has been seeing it on her satellite dish for the last week or
    so.  They are running some graphics with a clock over it saying "12
    days, 8 hours" etc. until it starts.  
    
    As far as we can tell, the signal will NOT be scrambled, at least at
    first. 
    
    Sounds kind of expensive to run it for two weeks before hand, though !!
    

    
    At Worldcon they had a multi-screen TV advertisement in the corner of
    the Convention Center main hall.  Sounds like they're real to me!
    
    -Jody
    

    Well, it's Sept 24th, is there a SF channel available on
    cable anywhere?
    			Jim

    I saw something on the USA network last night -- I only caught bits and
    pieces of it, but it looked like a behind the scenes look of the
    creation of the network -- the show I saw was narrated by Michael Dorn.
    
    					andrew

    I checked a TV Guide and didn't see it listed.  I'll check the prevue
    channel on cable when I get home to see if it showed up.
    
    Herk

    Well, I looked for it last night, spotted the preview show (didn't
    watch it), called the cable company for Fitchburg and they said they
    wouldn't carry it for about another month...

I called Warner Cable in Nashua today, and Elsie, the customer service
representative told me that they had no plan to add any more channels
for the rest of the year, and that she didn't know whether it would be
added next year.  She also said that they have had a lot of requests for
the SCI-FI Channel, and they would take that into account.

Dave C.

Colorado Springs Cablevision says they are in negotiations to carry
the SF Channel. No commitments. They say they would like to find 
out the interest level in the Colorado Springs area. So... call them.
633-6616 and tell them you want the SF Channel.

				Dick

Nashoba Cable, for Townsend, MA, told us that they would carry it, but it would
be part of a low-cost premium package that would include the Disney channel
and cost an extra $5 or $6 month.  With that attitude, I can hardly wait
for the small satellite dishes that may hit the market in 18 months (according
to a front page article in today's Boston Globe).

So far, I haven't seen any sign of it on their preview channel (which shows
the programming for the next few hours), nor any info in the latest bill.

   Gary

    
    
    someone in another conference reported it's only free to dish owners
    for the first year.
    

    I called today and was told they do not have any plans to carry the
    sci-fi channel.

Keep on tryin..   Colorado Springs Cablevision gave in and will
start carrying it Thursday as part of basic cable (channel 51).

				Dick

    
    Does anybody know if Greater Media Cable will be picking it up?
    
    jw
    
    

    Greater Media Cable (Worcester, MA) will NOT be carrying the Sci-Fi
    Channel.
    
    If you live in Worcester or Holden and are interested in getting this
    channel, please contact me as I am working with a group of people to 
    make our wishes known to the Cable Company.

    I saw on my Nashoba Cable bill that it will be carried starting
    November 1st.  It is part of a premium package with Disney and others. 
    Interesting,  at Worldon, the reps from the Sci-Fi Channel said that
    was part of basic services (like USA, it's owner) and was not to be charged 
    for.
    
    They also wanted the names of companies that were charging for it. 
    Time for a letter!
    
    							Chris

    
    Any news on Continental Cablevision out of Clinton.  They service
    Sterling and Lancaster too.
    
    Joe

>                <<< Note 816.82 by LJOHUB::LOWE "Chris Lowe" >>>
>                    -< Basic service!  Accept no charges! >-
>
>    I saw on my Nashoba Cable bill that it will be carried starting
>    November 1st.  It is part of a premium package with Disney and others. 
>    Interesting,  at Worldon, the reps from the Sci-Fi Channel said that
>    was part of basic services (like USA, it's owner) and was not to be charged 
>    for.
    
Define "basic."  In the Greater Maynard Area, Cablevision's "basic" service
is called Family Package, and includes USA, TBS, Weather, A&E, Family,
Lifetime, WPIX, CNN, MTV, and much more.
However, there is a sub-tier called "reception only" that covers
mostly just the local broadcast channels and a few others like A&E, TBS, and 
Weather, but not USA, Lifetime, CNN, MTV, etc., which are scrambled.
Yes, Disney et al. is the next tier up, but "basic" isn't the only definition
of "basic."

- tom]

> but "basic" isn't the only definition

Right, but Nashoba cable has a $8 reception-only fee, and then their super
basic has CNN, TNT, TBS, USA, etc.. but no premium channels such as Sportschannel
or Disney are included in super-basic.

>    Interesting,  at Worldon, the reps from the Sci-Fi Channel said that
>    was part of basic services (like USA, it's owner) and was not to be charged 
>    for.

Typical Nashoba Cable.  I hope this is true and they get nailed for it...

John Piekos

    
    they are probably doing what continental cablevision (salem, nh area)
    is doing.  they are offering an add-on tier which will contain the
    scifi channel, bravo and 3 others that i don't recall for $8.  this
    will be offered nov 1st as well, but due to some problems with sci-fi
    channel negotiations, the scifi channel will not be added into the tier
    until a later time 'hopefully very soon after the initial add on tier
    availibility'.
    

    
    oh btw, this tier is free to two-pay subs, it's 7.95 or 8.95 (i forget)
    to one-pay or no-pay.
    

    Framingham Cablevision of Framingham, MA will offer the Sci-Fi Channel
    as part of their Bonus Pack starting on Nov. 1.  You 'll get the Sci-Fi
    Channel, Disney, Bravo, and the SportsChannel for $4.95
    
    Until then, you can get the last 3 for the same $4.95.  I'm happy to 
    get it at a reasonable cost.

    CVI, which serves Ashland, MA, is considering adding it to their
    listing. Although this is a step in the right direction, I'm still
    not going to pay their stinky $60 installation fee until they
    get Comedy Central. 
    
    I really miss Joel and the 'bots.  *sniff*
    
    helen

    Stolen from the internet...... Eastern Times
    
1. Sunday
 
 Time   Title                                   Notes
 
 7:30am Gamepro                                 
 8:00   Fantastic Voyage                        (1960s TV series)
 8:30   Return to the Planet of the Apes        (1975 animated TV series)
 9:00   Adventures of Flash Gordon              (1980s animated TV series)
 9:30   Star Trek                               (1973  animated TV series)
10:00   Voyagers!                               (early 1980s TV series)
11:00   Powers of Matthew Star                  (early 1980s TV series)
12:00   Incredible Hulk                         (Bill Bixby as Dr.Jeckle)
 1:00   Lost in Space                           (both color and B&W episodes)
 2:00   Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea         (both color and B&W episodes)
 3:00   2 hour movie
 5:00pm another 2 hour movie
 7:00   Starman                                 (mid 1980s TV series) 
 8:00   Mysteries from Beyond the Other         (original satire/documentary
        Dominion                                        program)
 8:30   Sci-Fi Buzz                             (original news program)
 9:00   Inside Space                            (original documentary)
 9:30   Science                                 (original documentary)
10:00   The Prisoner                            (1969 UK TV series)
11:00   2 hour movie
 1:00   Mysteries from Beyond the Other         (repeat of 5pm)
        Dominion
 1:30   Sci-Fi Buzz                             (repeat of 5:30pm)
 2:00   Inside Space                            (repeat of 6pm)
 2:30   Science                                 (repeat of 6:30pm)
(3:00 - 7am infomercials)
 
 
2. Mon-Fri
 
 7:00am Transformers                            (animated)
 7:30   Defenders of the Earth                  (animated)
 8:00   Transformers                            (animated)
 8:30   Stingray                                (puppets)
 9:00   2 hour movie                            
10:00   Dark Shadows                            (B&W and color)(1st episode)
10:30   Dark Shadows                            (2nd episode)                                    
12:00   Dr.Who "Hour"                           (really only one episode)
12:30   filler programming                      (usually old cinema serial)
 1:00   Lost In Space                           (B&W and color episodes)
 2:00   Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea         (B&W and color episodes)
 3:00   another 2 hour movie
 5:00pm One Step Beyond
 5:30   Incredible Hulk
 6:30   Space:1999                              (1975-77 UK TV series)
 7:30   Alfred Hitchcock Presents               (updated 1980s TV series)
 8:00   Buck Rodgers                            (1979 TV series with 
                                                  Gil Gerrard and "Tweekie")
 9:00   War of the Worlds                       (1989 TV series)
10:00   Series Showcase: Nightstalker           (1975 TV series)
11:00   Tales from the Darkside
11:30   Night Gallery
12:00   Buck Rodgers                            (repeat of 5pm)
 1:00   War of the Worlds                       (repeat of 6pm)
 2:00   Series Showcase: Nightstalker           (repeat of 7pm)
(3:00 - 7:00am infomercials)
 
 
3. Saturday
 
 8:30am Gamepro
 9:00   Mysteries from Beyond the Other         (repeat of previous Sunday)
        Dominion
 9:30   Sci-Fi Buzz                             (repeat of previous Sunday)
10:00   Inside Space                            (repeat of previous Sunday)
10:30   Science                                 (repeat of previous Sunday)
11:00   One Step Beyond
11:30   Flash Gordon                            (animated)
12:00   Doctor Who                              (single episode)
12:30   (filler programming)
 1:00   Lost in Space
 2:00   Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
 3:00   Time Tunnel
 4:00pm 2 hour movie 
 6:00   Space:1999
 7:00   Alien Nation
 8:00   another 2 hour movie
10:00   Amazing Stories
10:30   Tales from the Darkside
11:00   another 2 hour movie
 1:00   another 2 hour movie
(3:00 - 7am infomercials)
 
4.  Programming Notes
 
4.1 Series Showcase
Special timeslot for the rotation of short-lived TV series such as,
in previous weeks, "Fantastic Journey"(1976), "Gemini Man" (1976), 
"Nightstalker: Kolchack"(1975-76), and soon,"Planet of the Apes" (1975).
 
4.2 Glen Larson hour
Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rodgers rotate in this time slot.
 

    
    Saw a note on the preview channel in Chelmsford this weekend that the
    SF channel will be available starting "Jan 2-3". Call xxx for details
    on how to get this new channel. Sigh--looks like it will be a premium
    channel of part of a new package of some sorts. When I was after them
    several months ago to add this channel, they pleaded "no more space
    available for new channels!" I offered to give them a nice list of the
    channels they now stuff into our service that neither I nor anyone I
    know ever watches, but they wern't interested. Looks like they have
    found some available channel space, afterall.
    
    Anyone have any details (This is Lowell Cablevision, I believe) as to
    price, packaging, etc?
    
    

>    Anyone have any details (This is Lowell Cablevision, I believe) as to
>    price, packaging, etc?

I saw a new pricing sheet for Lowell (Colonial?) Cable the other day.  They
are going to offer a package similar to Wesfords (Nashoba Cable) People's 
Choice.  You'll get about 4 channels (E!, Court TV, Disney?, Sci Fi) for 
something like 5.95 a month.  I think Lowell might have some deal like
you get this package for 2.95 if you get another premium service like HBO.
Can't remember all the details though, since it isn't my cable company
(though I wish it were, it's a hell of a lot cheaper than Nashoba Cable).

John Piekos

Cablevision of Fitchburg/Leominster says that the SF channel is under discussion
of being carried along with an all day cartoon channel. They also told me to
write rather than call to pledge my vote. I've already written to them but have
not received a response.

Mike_L

    I seem to remember that the old "The Nightstalker" TV show was rumored
    to be one of the programs that the SCIFI channel was going to show. I
    have not seen it in the program schedule listings. Has anyone heard if
    it is on or will be on in the future?

Hi, Marge,

Yes, they've shown it in what they called their "Great Series Collection" 
which I'm glad to see they've downgraded to just "Series Collection"  The
SC is a place where they've lumped all those dog SF programs that didn't make
it to Christmas before being cancelled. Great stuff like Probe, Manimal, 
Planet of the Apes, and Nightstalker.  They'll probably cycle around to 
Nightstalker pretty soon.  Can't be too many more of those series lying 
around.

-Patrick

    Did anyone catch the show that was on Monday night? I think it aired
    between 9 and 11. Our hero Jonathan Case displayed the talent to change
    into a hawk.
    
    Was this the pilot for "Manimal?"
    
    Mike

    
       Does anyone have the basic schedule for the Sci-Fi channel?  I'm
    housesitting for my parents while they're on vacation, and I like some
    of the stuff on Sci-Fi, but I'd like to be able to tape things when I'm
    not home.  The only thing of importance which I know is that War of the
    Worlds is on at 9 PM and 1 AM.  I usually miss the 9 PM one...
    
    					-mjg
    

    In the front of the tv guide they have a condensed weekly scedule for a
    couple of cable station like the SCI-FI  channel.
                         Jeff Peters

    Re: .98,.99:
    
       Thanks!  I'll check it out, I didn't see it in the main listings or
    the prime-time chart.
    
    						-mjg
    

    Re: TV Guide:
    
       Well, the TV Guide I have doesn't have the listings.  It's the
    generic New Hampshire edition.  Someone who has one with the SF channel
    listings in it: could you tell me what region yours is for?  I work in
    MA, so if it's somewhere in this area I could just get one with the SF
    channel listings.
    
    					-mjg
    

    The one I picked up in Worcester that covers the Boston area has the SF
    channel listings.  If you buy one anywhere between Worcester and Boston
    I think you'd get it.

    re: .101
    
    I got my TV Guide in Westford, MA.  It has a yellow bar on the top left
    which says 'Cable Extra' -New Listings ...  And has a one page listing
    for the SCI-FI channel.
    
    								/alan

    My TV Guide has listings for the Sci-Fi channel that include a show
    called, I think, "One Step Beyond". Is that the show (for you more
    *mature* noters) that I remember from very early childhood (say
    mid-50's)? I seem to remember one episode where a baby mastodon or
    mammoth was unfrozen alive in the arctic - I vaguely remember it
    being very sad (for kids) with the mammoth dying at the end.
    
    Also there was some show with a stone of some kind that fell to earth
    and glowed, or something?
    
    Anybody remember this show? Is it the SCI-FI channel show?
    
    Thanks.
    
    Ken

    As far as I know, there was only one "One Step Beyond" (though there
    may have been a brief revival of the original series a few years after
    it was first cancelled). If Warner Cable offered the Sci-Fi channel,
    I'd get it solely for "One Step Beyond"; while some of the shows were
    duds, lots of them were exceedingly eerie, and the theme music (and the
    host's soft, not-quite-real voice) were worth the price of admission by
    themselves. I would _love_ to get an assortment of episodes on tape...
    
    There was the WWI plane piloted by a skeleton... and the mysterious
    stains on the wall that gradually took the shape of - <shriek!>... and
    the delirious young man who dreamed of being lost in the desert, and
    died of thirst with a pitcher of water by his side... Oh, lots and lots
    of 'em. [They don't make TV like that anymore. Now they show videos of
    people who forgot to put their parachutes on.]
    
    -b

    re: .105
    
    When was the show originally broadcast?
    
    Ken

    Late '50s, early '60s... 
    
    -b

    
    A friend of mine has spoken to our local PBS station's program manager
    and found that both "Dr. Who" AND "Blake's 7" have been purchased for
    EXCLUSIVE showing in the US by the Sci-Fi Channel. This will be
    effective beginning in May. At that point, any PBS stations must stop
    showing either of these shows. 
    
    Of course, my cable system doesn't carry it......
    
    (also posted in DR_WHO notes). 
    
    - Russ

�"Dr. Who" AND "Blake's 7" have been purchased for
�    EXCLUSIVE showing in the US by the Sci-Fi Channel.

That's interesting, since SF Channel has just recently stopped airing Dr.
Who. (BTW, I never saw any other episodes other than Tom Baker ones on SF)
Would be a real bummer if they stop everyone else from showing it.  A local
PBS station (in Denver) carries Dr. Who, and we get it on cable in Colorado
Springs.  They show episodes from the post-Tom Baker years as well.

-Patrick