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General discussion

SciFi Channel Offers Free 'Galactica' Downloads

Mar 9, 2006 3:15AM PST

If free is good, are free TV downloads better?

I found this article from SyFyPortal.com.

http://www.syfyportal.com/wip/news.php?id=2435

I like Blake Callaway's quote: "If someone isn't already a fan, then we are confident that sampling this episode on iTunes will bring them to SciFi for more."

Keep in mind that the SciFi Channel is owned by NBC Universal - think Lazy Sunday and other recent 'viral' web downloads.

In another article at http://www.syfyportal.com/wip/news.php?id=2437,

"NBC has already tried to rebroadcast specific episodes, including an abbreviated version of the pilot, of the show to expectedly low-ratings results. Of course, those were expected because the episodes already aired. But given the mainstream critical acclaim of the series, as well as its tremendous popularity in iTunes downloads (as well as continued illegal downloads), there is some chatter that NBC Universal -- which owns both SciFi Channel and NBC -- could be considering moving the series to NBC."

As the BOL crew would say, "Good on you, NBC." ...for a change.

Discussion is locked

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The Dearth (not death) of Sci-Fi on TV
Mar 9, 2006 3:39AM PST

It's SO great to hear this if it's true. In fact, I can't believe the absolute dearth of science fiction on network television. Consider the fact that sci-fi/fantsy is the movie industry's number one money-making genre, it makes no sense to me there isn't more.

Take a look at the top 10:

10) Passion of the Christ: fantasy Wink
9) Spider Man 2: fantasy (comic)
Cool Lord of the Rings: fantasy
7) Star Wars: Episode III: sci-fi
6) Spider Man: fantasy
5) Star Wars: Episode 1: sci-fi
4) ET: sci-fi
3) Shrek 2: animation
2) Star Wars: sci-fi
1) Titanic: a boat sinks (let's be real, folks - it was the special effects extravaganza that allowed women to drag their boyfriends/husbands to this thing a dozen times).

Anyhow, clearly it's a money maker. Why it is the only thing we see on TV is a hundred 50 variations of CSI is beyond me. Where' my CSI Alpha Centauri? Huh?

-Kevin S.

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LOL @ CSI: Alpha Centauri
Mar 9, 2006 3:51AM PST

There is a difference between movies and TV though. Some sci-fi themes aren't suited for serial/episodal releases.


<off-topic>I assume your name is Mac Hugger, but I can't help but say Ma-Chugger. Kinda like James versus Jazz-Muss.</off-topic>

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Obi-wanna change the case
Mar 9, 2006 4:20AM PST

Yep, Mac Hugger. Wonder how I could get the user id to have the M and the H made into caps now that my user id already exists?

Help me TMV. You're my only hope.

-Kevin S.

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or the name...
Mar 9, 2006 4:32AM PST

I was trying to change my username today, but once you register it, that's what you got.

If only we could change our display name... *hint hint*

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If it's a good story
Mar 9, 2006 4:41AM PST

I personally feel any story can be told episodically. The TV show LOST is a good example of this. I enjoy Lost but honestly, it's taffy TV. They are stretching a really cool concept/mystery out into a 4 or 5 year series run and I fear it may get tiring. But, as you can see, it can be done.

Sci-fi is a very creatively rich genre and an absolute gold mine for good writers. Galactica proves that sci-fi can make amazing episodic material. I think until recently, the special effects budgets made it a tough decision for green-lighting but now that cost has come way down as realism has gone way up, it's time for a rebirth of sci-fi ALL OVER network TV.

-Kevin S.

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Partnerships Help
Mar 9, 2006 5:59PM PST

I think that in order for good quality episodic sci-fi to make it, you need to have some type of partnership finacially.

Battlestar Galactica is a great example of this. Sky One in the UK helps with financiing of the show, and as such it is basically released at the same time here in the US and the UK. Yes production costs have come down due to CGI, but you still need to be able to afford good CGI talent, and that can get expensive for one production company to fund.

Shows get exported from the US and imported from other countries all the time. So to me it only makes sense for two countries to partner up spread the costs amongst themselves. The only problem is good quality writing like Battlestar Galactica doesn't come along everyday. It would also be hard to fully predict what will play well here in the US and in another country.

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How about CSI Battlestar Gallactica ..
Mar 9, 2006 4:13AM PST

.. or CSI Stargate SG1?

Now, THAT I would watch. Happy

-Terry

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On the note of Battlestar ...
Mar 9, 2006 12:47PM PST

The new season won't start until ... *gasp* ... October.

Man, that's depressing.

-Terry

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It's a bummer
Mar 9, 2006 4:44PM PST

I was kind of hoping they would get into this 3 months on, 3 months off, 3 months on thing and just keep feeding it as season 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, etc.

Ah well. So much for ground breaking new delivery schedules. it was impressive for a while.

-Kevin S.

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depressing
Mar 10, 2006 7:02AM PST

Yes, very depressing... but summer coming!

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I think they could have made it a better deal by...
Mar 9, 2006 11:07PM PST

The news article listed states that they're only offering "Downloaded" as the free episode you can get from the TV guide. It's a good start, but honestly, I was hoping that it was a code that would allow me to choose whichever episode I wanted to download, not locked into d/l an episode that aired 2 weeks ago just because Xena is on it.

I do like "Downloaded" and I've become a fan of BSG, but I saw it when it aired. The free download would have helped if I wanted to watch a past episode that aired before I got into BSG. Anyhows, those are my thoughts.

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didn't catch that...
Mar 10, 2006 1:06AM PST

I am a devout Stargate fan, but have never had the desire to watch Battlestar Galactica.

Cursing is not a part of my vocabulary, and the liberal use of the word "frakking" in the previews is enough to make me not watch the show. Even though it is technically not a curse word, it is used as one, and that's enough...

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Wow
Mar 10, 2006 7:40AM PST

So to avoid fake ''cursing'' you would limit yourself to somewhat simplified storylines and characters rather than try a more sophisticated realm of storytelling that might challenge your beliefs, prejudices and philosophy on life? The difference between the two is _that_ great.

Believe me, I love sci-fi - LOVE IT - and very much enjoyed the Stargate movie (though it goes downhill fast once they actually enter the gate) but the writing on the TV shows leaves me SCREAMING mad at the missed opportunity for true greatness.

Ironically, I expected as much from Galactica since the original series was about as simple as Stargate, but was utterly floored by the depth and dimension of this franchise.

At the very least, if you are really a sci-fi fan, you are doing yourself a tremendous disservice by not at least giving it a chance. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone just a little bit, '79. If you are strong in your convictions, you will simply ignore the minor things that bother you about it and enjoy everything else that makes this series a phenomenon.

-Kevin S.