Syfy

1. What's with the Feedback autoresponse? Don't you care?

We care quite a lot, but we're human and, as such, finite. There aren't a lot of hours we can reasonably dedicate to answering all the questions. Although we would like to respond individually to every request and query, we simply can't. The answers to many we do receive really are answered by this FAQ, though. Dig around.

2. How do I get Syfy?

The cable "universe" has been estimated at around 74 million homes, and almost all of them get Syfy. Keep telling your cable provider what you want to see. One way to get word to your cable company is to write them at the address printed on your bill. A useful list of companies can also be found at the TVinsite/Broadcasting & Cable trade-magazine site, along with links where available. We are aware of the few cable affiliates in the country that don't presently carry us and are doing everything we can to get them to do so.

International viewers might be able to pick up Syfy by satellite. Syfy UK /Syfy Europe is available to those across the big pond, but although they used to be part of this company, we have no affiliation with them now. Furthermore, Syfy Europe has its own programming schedule and always has.

3. Other channel-related issues:

Can you get rid of that little logo in the corner?

No, but we try to make it as unobtrusive as possible. We want viewers to know where we are and who we are. If you've ever tried to watch cable in another town and have struggled to find your favorite channels, you know how important this feature is.

Why are commercials so LOUD?

Compression. Advertisers use compression so that everything in a commercial is about at the same (loud) audio level, close to the maximum allowable levels. This way, you can still hear their pitch even if you get up to go the kitchen or bathroom. Syfy does not turn up the volume on these commercials - they're just recorded and mixed that way. Most of our shows, however, are not in an audio-compressed format so they generally have a wider dynamic range than the ads. Since we can't go back and add compression to our shows, the ads tend to sound a lot louder than the programming.

Why do you scrunch up the credits at the end of shows/movies?

On-air "real estate" is very expensive, and we have to make the best use of what is available. This includes making some things do double duty.

Is Syfy in stereo?

This is show- and movie-specific. It depends on whether or not a show or movie was delivered to Syfy in stereo or in mono. Some older shows were never available in stereo. Keep in mind that you must have a stereo TV or a TV hooked up to a stereo receiver in order to get the stereo broadcast.

I live on the west coast. Could you explain the West Coast Feed?

The West Coast feed is a separate feed of Syfy that runs according to Pacific Time. Before we had the feed, a show listed as airing at "9 p.m." ran at 9 p.m. only in the Eastern time zone, which meant that viewers in the Pacific time zone would see the show at 6 p.m. Now that the West Coast feed is in place, shows listed as 9 p.m. run at that time in both the Eastern and Pacific time zones. Please note that if you have DirecTV, the DISH NETWORK, or a c-band dish you will remain on the East Coast feed, as will certain digital cable subscribers. Also, not all of Syfy's Western cable affiliates may have the necessary equipment to utilize the new feed, so in those markets viewers will still see Syfy's East Coast broadcast. If you're not sure which feed you are receiving, please contact your local cable or satellite provider for details.

4. Why doesn't Syfy have... [insert popular show]?

Some common reasons might be:

• The show has been licensed by another cable network, is in a syndication window and airing on local stations nationwide, or is simply not available for licensing at the moment.
• Some cable networks may own the current license term for your favorite show even though they are not airing it.
• Shows may be kept on the shelf until they are needed, or have been put on the shelf due to poor ratings performance.

Other reasons may be budgetary or strategic: If, for a given show, ratings estimates are low and/or the target demographics don't fit the Channel, Syfy may decide not to acquire that program.

5. Why so much horror on Syfy?

It is true that there is a lot of horror programming on Syfy, but we try to maintain a balance between sci-fi, fantasy and horror in order to present a wide variety of programs in these related genres. We constantly strive to bring our viewers the best in science-fiction, fantasy and horror programming.

6. Why did you change the time slot of my favorite show?

We alter our schedule quarterly, with big changes tending to happen at the beginnings of the first quarter (January) and the fourth quarter (October).

The reason it was moved is the same reason it was scheduled where it was in the first place: namely, ratings. A program is scheduled in the hopes of getting good ratings and of helping the shows around it get good ratings. A show is given a new timeslot in the hopes of raising either its ratings overall, raising the new timeslot's ratings, or raising the original timeslot's ratings - and hopefully the ratings of the shows around those timeslots. Sometimes a change can result in lower ratings for some shows that were moved yet still be the right thing to do.

For example, say a show called Intergalactic Space Ninjas aired Mondays at 8pm and was moved to Sundays at 10am. There's little chance it could get higher ratings in its new slot, but if the new Monday night show gets a higher rating, and "Intergalactic Space Ninjas" gets a higher rating than the show it replaced, the net result is better ratings for the network as a whole.

Keep in mind that no show has a "natural" or "rightful" time slot.

7. When will my favorite show/movie be back on?

We schedule episodes and movies only a few months in advance. The best thing to do is to search the coming months' schedules on our Schedule page. If a program has been officially scheduled, it'll show up there. If not....

8. When will you be airing my favorite episode of [insert popular show]?

You can actually find this out for yourself by checking our Schedule. If you are not sure what the title of the show is, check the "Shows" tab at the top of this page.

9. How can I get in touch with my favorite actor from my favorite show?

The best way to contact your favorite actor is to send a letter care of the company that produces the show. Please keep in mind that shows are not actually made here but are initiated, created and executed by specific production companies. The best way to find out what company produces your show is to watch the credits.

10. How can I find out about jobs, whether with the network or with Syfy.com?

Please send résumés in electronic format to feedback@syfy.com.

11. I have a great idea for a show. How do I submit ideas?

Syfy does not accept unsolicited material. We only accept submissions/pitches from distributors, producers, agents, talent with representation, etc. This is to protect both the Channel and the individual with the idea.

12. Where can I find a copy of [ Insert Movie Title ]?

Check your local video store or an online retailer such as Amazon.com. For basic information on movie casts and crew, try the Internet Movie Database. For plot descriptions, TV Guide.com has one of the Web's most comprehensive journalistic movie sites.

13. The letterboxing looks terrible on my small screen! Why do you do that?

We firmly believe that movies and shows that are shot in widescreen (also known as letterboxing, abbreviated "LBX") should be shown in widescreen. It preserves the proper aspect ratios and displays the moving images as the creators intended them to be seen. We are trying to faithfully transmit the original creators' intentions.

14. [My Show] needs to be close-captioned! Why isn't it?

Almost every show on Syfy is close-captioned, as well as a large percentage of our movie inventory. A lot of programming is delivered with captions; however, some shows air without captions the first time. This is a timing issue. The captioning process takes a lot of coordination and if Syfy makes a last-minute acquisition, there may not be enough time to prepare captioning for a show's initial airing.