Resident Alien, a new Syfy series that caught the attention of veteran TV critic Rob Owen and approving viewers, is evidence that inventive shows exist outside premium cable and streaming services.
The people who run one of NBCUniversal’s bigger cable networks have come to a unique understanding: The world of sci-fi is bigger than Syfy. Under a reboot plan, executives who oversee Syfy say they recognize that the network needs to nod beyond its own wares to snare a bigger share of aficionados of programming centered on fantasy, the paranormal, superheroes and the like.
NBCUniversal’s cable networks USA and Syfy are laying off staff. The headcount reduction, which is said to affect less than 10% of the employees at the two networks, or about 25 people, stems from the February executive restructuring at NBCU’s cable division, which led to the consolidation of USA and Syfy into the Entertainment Networks Group under Chris McCumber.
Syfy Kicks Off Syfy Labs At CES
NBCU cable network Syfy is starting up Syfy Labs, an innovation lab for creating multiplatform content and experiences for existing and emerging platforms. Syfy Labs will work on a wide variety of efforts — virtual reality, 3D printing, second-screen experiences and Internet of Things integrations — merging technologies into storytelling of the network’s original programming, such as The Expanse, The Magicians and 12 Monkeys.