SOMETHING'S OUT THERE!
The Triumphant Debut of the Sci-Fi Channel

By: Terry L. DuFoe

For nearly three years devoted science fiction fans scanned the Clarke Belt from east 
to west searching for glimpses of the publicized 24 hour T.V. network.  Then it finally 
happened!  Just when it seemed the brainchild of Mitchell Rubenstein and Laurie S. 
Silvers was "LOST IN SPACE" the long awaited launch finally arrived.

As if by U.S.S. Enterprise order, the network beamed up to Galaxy 5, Transponder 4.  
The Hughes Satellite, once void as a Black Hole, brought dish where no man or woman has 
gone before.  The SCI-FI CHANNEL was on the air!  Its origins make one "AMAZING STORY", 
according to co-creator Laurie S. Silvers whose idea leapt from "ONE STEP BEYOND" into 
television reality. "I have to credit my husband Mitchell, the concept really was his.  
He couldn't imagine why someone hadn't considered a standalone SCI-FI network.  I said, 
"Well Mitchell, I think your crazy." and went back to my paper work.  To avoid telling 
"THE TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE" of network ratings their "FANTASTIC JOURNEY" lead to a 
Gallop Poll revealing 47 per cent would watch SCI-FI over MTV or NICKELODEON, "BELIEVE 
IT OR NOT"!

"Those are wild numbers, knowing how successful they are.", boasted Silvers.  If SCI-FI 
soars as polls predicted, we might witness a network "WAR OF THE WORLDS", as DISNEY, 
NICKELODEON, and COMEDY CENTRAL have added similar based programming. "THE MAGICIAN" 
behind the delayed network's sudden appearance is USA networks "BIONIC WOMAN" CEO, Kay 
Koplovits.  Describing the emotional sale to USA like selling a child, creator Silvers 
added, "While gut wrenching, when it's time to let the child go, you have to.  It wasn't 
that we were trying to sell it. There were other suitors, but we didn't want to take 
foreign money desiring a network with major Hollywood studios and production companies.  
We saw development of a new product as setting us apart." Silvers said.  Considering the 
new network's parent companies are PARAMOUNT and MCA, Hollywood backing makes SCI-FI one 
"INCREDIBLE HULK" with more original programming than Turner or HBO according to Silvers.

"HOMEWRECKER", the first of 12 original movies airs this fall with Robby Benson (Ice Castles), 
Sydney Walsh (Nightmare on Elm Street), & Sarah Rose Karr (Father of the Bride).  In the 
original production, a jealous super computer with feminine attributes plots murder for Benson 
and his wife.  "We want to be, if you will, a laboratory with lots of experimentation coming 
out of our network." Silvers explained.  If you think the USA purchase means a "VOYAGE TO THE 
BOTTOM OF THE SEA" for the former CEO's think again, as they serve as co-vice chairmen of the 
network.  They describe their lesser positions as less of a burden point out that they still 
have full say in SCI-FI development.  When attempting to "PROBE" into SCI-FI purchase dollars, 
Sci-Fi vice president of programming Barry Schulman guarded a secret even "DOCTOR WHO" couldn't
remove.  "I bet it was more then $150.00." Schulman joked.  Three years of work has been done 
and like COMEDY CHANNEL'S merge with HA, "It's better to join forces and move ahead." Schulman 
stated.

Agreeing that the networks delay might have created negativity, Schulman states that people 
can't believe it's finally happening.  "When ever you have built great levels of expectancy, 
the delivery might be disappointing.  We don't expect it to be, but there is possessiveness 
and feelings of ownership with Science Fiction that other subjects don't have." Schulman 
explained.  A possible migration of USA Science Fiction stars to its sister network may 
create a "BATTLESTAR GALACTICA" as exclusive contracts with syndicators secure dual usage on 
either network.  "Fans are heavy users of high tech gear like satellite dishes and 62 million 
Sci-Fi fans look to conventions where SCI-FI will have a presence and we look forward to 
meeting dish owners there." Schulman said.  Up-linked from eleven meter antennas at the HBO 
center in Smithtown, Long Island, compression is possible according to Dick Ross, vice 
president of network operations.  "As we are not scrambling until about a year from launch, 
a digital compression will be available at that point.  It's in the testing labs now.  As we 
have to buy a scrambling system for SCI-FI, it would make sense to use digital compression 
for multiple SCI-FI channels on one transponder." Ross stated.

A look through "DARK SHADOWS" of top secret series now in pre-production reveals:

1.  THE SCIENCE SHOW - Covering life's wonders.
2.  MYSTERIES FROM BEYOND THE OTHER DOMINION - A National Enquirer of the weird.
3.  SCI-FI EXTRA - Movie makers, authors & conventions
4.  INSIDE SPACE - Profiling space travel & breakthroughs.

Barry Schulman assures the journey through the SCI-FI "TIME TUNNEL" will be a unusual one as 
NASA is contracted for 10.000 hours of footage which may lead to one small step for man, and 
a giant leap for a fledgling cable network.  Barry Schulman closed by stating, "We'd like to 
do a live shot from a space shuttle or capsule believing if aliens ever do invade, the dish 
owners will be the first to be alerted."  If the SCI-FI camera crew becomes a NASA stowaway, 
maybe the next big infomercial seen on the network might be hosted by "E.T."