Press Releases from the SciFi Channel  March/April 2001
 
 

Press Release

SCI FI Channel Hitting Its Stride

Now in 70 Million Homes -- Adding Original Miniseries & Movie Events
to Development Slate

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--March 20, 2001--SCI FI Channel
continues to pump up its original programming slate while
aggressively adding homes to its distribution count. This month, the
Channel reaches nearly full distribution by hitting the 70 million
home mark -- up 47% in distribution since the company was acquired in
February '98. Already the largest provider of original primetime
scripted series on cable -- basic or premium, SCI FI has broadened
its focus to include a brand-new slate of original movie and
miniseries projects.

Upcoming projects include:

BABYLON 5: The Legend of the Rangers -- The original creative team
behind the popular science-fiction Babylon 5 television series and
movies are on board to produce the all-new full-length action
adventure Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers, to premiere
exclusively on SCI FI later in the year. The two-hour telefilm will
be executive produced by Douglas Netter and executive
producer/creator J. Michael Straczynski, and is scheduled to begin
production shortly. Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers takes up the
story of the legendary Ranger fleet as they attempt to restore order
to hundreds of civilizations devastated by the Shadow War. This new
chapter in creator Straczynski's fascinating universe finds the elite
and mysterious Ranger force -- a combination of male and female
humans and alien Minbari trained in space warfare, the unique alien
philosophy of the rangers, and every conceivable form of martial arts
-- faced with deadly challenges in their attempt to create peace out
of the war's destruction. Babylon 5 series cast members may also
appear, with the movie serving as the pilot for a potential SCI FI
Channel series.

FIRESTARTER: THE NEXT CHAPTER (working title) -- This 4-hour
miniseries, based on the novel entitled Firestarter by Stephen King,
picks up 20 years after the original film. Charlene or ``Charlie''
has stayed on the run from the government that created her -- and
killed her parents. However, with her enemies closing in using their
own arsenal of human weapons, she must find the answers to her own
dangerous abilities before her nemesis finds her. Currently greenlit,
and expected to go into production shortly. The film will be
executive produced by Tom Thayer and directed by Robert Iscove.

CLIVE BARKER'S SAINT SINNER -- SCI FI will also be working with Clive
Barker to spawn a new two-hour original movie presently entitled
Saint Sinner. This epic tale of redemption, suspense and horror finds
a 19th-century monk unwittingly unleashing two beautiful female
demons upon the world. Even worse, the demons escape into the future,
and the monk must track them to present-day Los Angeles to stop them
from wreaking deadly havoc. This Scinema Event from the master of
horror and suspense (Hellraiser; Candyman; The Books of Blood) will
be adapted for SCI FI from Barker's original tale by television
writer and novelist Doris Egan (Dark Angel; Early Edition). The
project in development is slated to premiere exclusively on SCI FI in
2002.

TAKEN -- This previously-announced and much-anticipated project has
moved from development into pre-production for SCI FI. Steven
Spielberg, DreamWorks Television and SCI FI form a unique alliance
for the exclusive presentation of Taken, a 20-hour original dramatic
event slated to air in 2002. The most ambitious miniseries ever to be
produced for basic cable, Taken is an epic science fiction adventure
that weaves together over 50 years of alien abductions into the
compelling story of three families' experiences. The miniseries,
which begins production later this year, explores a series of
personal stories and events which defy the traditional confines of a
two-hour feature film or even a four-hour miniseries. Les Bohem is
the executive producer and writer of Taken.

In 2000, SCI FI made it into the Top 10 of all cable networks for the
first time ever. Additionally, SCI FI was No. 1 of all television
networks in the coveted concentration (or VPVH) of Adults 25-54. SCI
FI was also tops in Men 25-54 -- even higher than ESPN, and in line
with top-rated Lifetime for Women 25-54. Anchored by a strong
original series slate including Farscape, the Channel expanded to a
second night of original series in January 2001, bringing SCI FI to
six regularly-scheduled dramatic series in primetime weekly.
Additionally, SCI FI continues to gain phenomenal attention for its
late-night 5-day a week hit, Crossing Over With John Edward, as well
as critical acclaim for its short film showcase series, Exposure.

SCI FI Channel, owned and operated by USA Cable, a division of USA
Networks, Inc.'s (Nasdaq:USAI - news) Entertainment unit, transmits
fantastic images to over 70 million human homes. Launched in 1992,
SCI FI features a continuous stream of cinematic hits, new and
original series, and special events, as well as classic sci-fi,
fantasy, and horror programming. Check out SCIFI.COM®, the SCI FI
Channel's award-winning Web site, at www.scifi.com.
 
 

Press Release

SCI FI Continues to Explore New Worlds With Expanded Original Movie Slate

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--April 25, 2001--SCI FI continues
to add to its slate of original movies and big events for 2002 with
two new event projects. Both four-hour miniseries, the SCI FI
projects include Kim Stanley Robinson's epic Red Mars and a
futuristic adaptation of the classic Tale of Two Cities.

Already the largest provider of original primetime scripted series on
cable - basic or premium, SCI FI has recently broadened its scope to
include a brand-new slate of original movie and miniseries projects.
Recently announced deals include Babylon 5: The Legend of the
Rangers; Clive Barker's Saint Sinner; the 4-hour miniseries
Firestarter: The Next Chapter (working title), which is currently in
production; and Taken, a 20-hour miniseries from Dreamworks
Television and Stephen Spielberg.

* KIM STANLEY ROBINSON'S RED MARS - this four-hour miniseries
adaptation of Kim Stanley Robinson's best-selling Mars Trilogy (Red
Mars, Blue Mars, Green Mars) chronicles the lives of the first
hundred colonists on Mars and their epic struggle to create a new
world. Classic science fiction steeped in mystery, suspense, and
romance, Red Mars is considered one of the masterpieces of modern
science fiction. Author Robinson is a member of NASA's Mars Committee
and will consult on the project. Red Mars will be executive produced
by the partners at Created By.
* A TALE OF TWO CITIES - in development - Heads are cut off,
mobs riot, monarchs fall, but true love still wins out in a
futuristic adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel brought to
life on two planets long ago and far away. This four-hour original
miniseries is produced by Ken Raskoff.

In 2000, SCI FI made it into the Top 10 of all cable networks for the
first time ever. Anchored by a strong original series slate including
Farscape, the Channel expanded to a second night of original series
in January 2001, bringing SCI FI to six regularly-scheduled dramatic
series in primetime weekly. Additionally, SCI FI continues to gain
phenomenal attention for its late-night 5-day a week hit, Crossing
Over With John Edward, as well as critical acclaim for its short film
showcase series, Exposure.

SCI FI Channel, owned and operated by USA Cable, a division of USA
Networks, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: USAI - news) Entertainment unit, transmits
fantastic images to over 70 million human homes. Launched in 1992,
SCI FI features a continuous stream of cinematic hits, new and
original series, and special events, as well as classic sci-fi,
fantasy, and horror programming. Check out SCIFI.COM®, the SCI FI
Channel's award-winning Web site, at www.scifi.com.
 

Lab Concocts Strange Brews for SCI FI

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--April 25, 2001--SCI FI's off-beat programming development unit, the SCI FI Lab, has announced its first batch of specials in development. The Lab, a SCI FI Channel programming division, is a stand-alone unit with its own facilities, charged with creating cutting-edge alternative programming outside the traditional programming development process. Currently in development (all working titles) are:

 --  Alien Hunter -- The SCI FI Channel takes a walk on the wild side
     with The Alien Hunter. Dedicated to saving the galaxy's most
     endangered -- and dangerous -- animals, The Alien Hunter
     fearlessly goes where no zookeeper has gone before. Each episode
     presents its own unique challenge to The Alien Hunter and his
     crew, and the results of their missions to other planets are as
     hair-raising as they are hilarious. Featuring state-of-the-art
     computer effects, The Alien Hunter's creatures make Earth's
     sharks, snakes and lions look like they came out of the petting
     zoo!

 --  Celebrity Time Capsule -- The 50 most iconic people on the planet
     have been brought together to bear gifts for the future
     -exclusively on SCI FI. Tune in to see today's visionaries and
     celebrities as they create a time capsule for the next century.
     This hosted special will be telecast from the base of the missile
     silo storing the memories of today for the people of tomorrow.
     Interviews will highlight today's most recognizable and popular
     faces, including actors, musicians, politicians, and sports stars
     as they tell us why they've made their choices - as well as their
     importance to us and future generations.

 --  Conspiracy Theory -- Do Men in Black really exist? What was
     Roswell really the site for? Was princess Di murdered? Was OJ
     framed by the mob? Conspiracy Theory entertains all the wacky
     theories promulgated by taxi drivers and paranoids the world over
     in a talk show atmosphere. After our paranoid pundit presents his
     evidence, we send out a Tom Green-like roving reporter who
     explores 3 different facets of the theory. The conspiricist then
     faces a grilling from our resident debunker in a lively debate
     followed by callers-in who fuel the dispute for both sides.
     Finally, the host tallies the votes, and decides the validity of
     the theory.

The SCI FI Lab -- Somewhere late at night in Hollywood, under the dim glow of giant 1950's-era medical lamps, a core team of twisted creatives dissect TV shows, visit robotic laboratories, take unsolicited pitches from madmen and turn the traditional development process inside out. Team members are called ``brains,'' and each brain has a unique superpower -writer, director, researcher, designer. Whether huddled in the ``Incubator,'' carousing in the wheelchairs of the ``Operating Theatre'' or hunkered down in their egg-shaped workspaces, they work together through a series of experiments to prototype groundbreaking television shows. Equal parts madness and methodology - the SCI FI Lab is poised to launch the next wave of SCIFI programming.

SCI FI Plays With Your Mind!

Get Your Brain Boggled By Mentalist Marc Salem

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--April 25, 2001--SCI FI is currently developing a one-hour special with mentalist Marc Salem entitled Mind Over Mind With Marc Salem. Part of a new emphasis at the Channel on creating special events for audiences that both entertain and broaden the definition of the genre, the special will be produced by Howard Schultz and Lighthearted Entertainment and will air some time in 2002.

``Hey, how'd you do that?'' The mysterious mental gymnastics of Dr. Marc Salem have become known to audiences worldwide through international lectures, numerous talk show appearances, and two successful Off-Broadway runs.

Whether stumping an audience with his apparent mind-reading abilities, or with on-location stunts guaranteed to boggle the brain and make you question what you just saw, Salem is known for entertaining, stunning and impressing audiences. A sought-after lecturer, teacher and entertainer, Salem has been a student of the human mind for over 30 years. He holds advanced degrees from University of Pennsylvania and New York University. Considered one of the world's foremost authorities on non-verbal communication, Salem guides his audiences through the potentials and possibilities of the mind - with a charismatic blend of humor and mind-blowing abilities.