The Scifi Channel is doing well? Will they listen to us.........NO

[dvo47p]

( BW)(NY-SCI-FI-CHANNEL) SCI FI Has a Sweetheart of A Month; Highest February Ratings Ever

http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/cb_headline.cgi?&story_file=bw.022503/230565703&directory=/google&header_file=header.htm&footer_file=

Entertainment Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 25, 2003--SCI FI Channel has scored its highest February primetime ratings to date, clocking in at a 1.0 (777,000 HHs; 1,111,000 P2+).(1)

The month was a 43% increase over the network's February '02 performance (0.7)(2), and places SCI FI in the Top 10 among all basic cable networks.(3)

Leading the way to the Channel's record-breaking showing was the ratings powerhouse Stargate SG-1, SCI FI's top-rated original series. New episodes of Stargate SG-1 continued to perform during sweeps, with the February '03 average (1.6/1,259,000 HHs) a 78% improvement over the time period average for February 2002.(4) Additionally, SCI FI's Monday block of acquired episodes of Stargate SG-1 has doubled the time period average over '02.

Demos continue to be strong for SCI FI Channel, including top rankings in:


-- Men 18-49 (0.7, ranked 5th)
-- Persons 18-49 (0.5, ranked 7th)
-- Men 25-54 (0.8, ranked 4th)
-- Women 25-54 (0.5, ranked 9th)
-- Persons 25-54 (0.7, ranked 5th)
-- Total Persons 2+ (0.5, ranked 8th)
-- The channel also ranked #8 in delivery of Persons 18-49 (535,000) and #7 for Persons 25-54 (615,000).(5)

SCI FI Channel transmits fantastic images to 80 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(R), the SCI FI Channel's award-winning Web site, at www.scifi.com. SCI FI Channel is a program service of Universal Television Networks, part of the Universal Television Group (www.universalstudios.com), a division of Vivendi UNIVERSAL Entertainment (VUE), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.

Sources:

(1) Nielsen Media Research/Galaxy Explorer, M-Su 8-11PM, coverage
area HH rating average, avg. HHs/P2+ deliveries, 1/27/03
-2/23/03

(2) NMR/Galaxy Explorer, M-Su 8-11PM, coverage area HH rating
average, 1/27/03 -2/23/03 vs. 1/28/02-2/24/02

(3) NMR/Galaxy, 1/27/03-2/23/03, M-Su 8-11PM, coverage area HH
rating average, ranking among all measured basic cable
networks

(4) NMR/Galaxy, Stargate: SG1 program average, Friday 9-10PM,
1/31/03-2/21/03, vs. Feb 02 time period average (0.9)

(5) NMR/Galaxy, 1/27/03-2/23/03, M-Su 8-11PM, coverage area demo
ratings averages/average audience deliveries, rankings among
all measured basic cable networks ---30--BP/ny*

CONTACT: For SCI FI Channel
Kat Stein, 212/413-5890

KEYWORD: NEW YORK
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CABLE TELEVISION/RADIO
SOURCE: SCI FI Channel

[Rhade]

I think it's interesting to note that the show that is carrying SciFi to record success is Stargate: SG-1.

In Ron Moore's latest letter to the fans, his focus is again on "explor[ing] adult themes with adult characters." Quite frankly, there's plenty of that out there on TV right now.

SG-1, however, does not fit in that category of adult-oriented programming. It's a show of general appeal, accessible to viewers of *all* ages. By insisting upon "adult themes" (which apparently means gratuitous sex with Cylons) Ron Moore's already setting up the Galactica rebirth for failure. He's limiting the audience by alienating the show from family viewing. And, agewise, parents rearing children tend to occupy a fairly coveted demographic.

Perhaps, it would be helpful to point out in the letters being written that SG-1's formula of general accessibility has been a ratings juggernaut for the channel, while the supposedly adult-oriented programming of Lexx and Farscape (though admittedly one of my favorites!) has failed to deliver the numbers. Why make the same mistake again with Galactica?

Rhade

[jewels]

Thanks for the tip on SG-1 Rhade. Writing letter today.