Well, it looks like SciFi is finally taking the absurd move to change its name. Bonnie Hammer has run that channel into the ground, and I think it's time they got some competition. Back in 2006, a press release made a brief splash announcing SciFi was going to be changed to "SurgeTV" - it was a hoax aimed at the increasing presence of non-science fiction programming on the channel, in particular, the permanent addition of wrestling in a prime-time slot.

So what do the morons in charge over there want to call it? "SyFy" - apparently, being mentally challenged is a requirement for coming up with promotional ideas.

Here was the original press release for SurgeTV:

Sci-Fi channel--er, Surge TV--ready to tap into oh-so-lucrative market of "sci-fi wrestling fans".

(PRWEB) August 24, 2006 -- Effective November 1, 2006, the SCI FI Channel will change their name to SurgeTV, to reflect the changing demographic thrust of the successful long-running cable channel. In addition, deals are currently working out to bring back ECW for a three-times a week run in prime time, as well as reruns (Pre-WWE) of professional wrestling events.

SurgeTV hopes to tap into the newfound audience of science fiction wrestling fans, by promoting cross-over programming, including Eureka's Colin Ferguson's guest appearance in the ECW ring, and Season 2 of Stan Lee's Who Wants To Be A Superhero to include ring matches between competitors. Saucier, racier stories will be aired after the midnight hour, and in a change for the popular channel, may include R-rated material.

While much of the original programming the SCI FI Channel has produced will remain on air through the next year, SurgeTV expects sweeping changes to the network, shifting away from the so-called "nerd" demographic. This means that SurgeTV will try to appeal to it's growing number of "extreme" viewers by removing all of it's current re-run programming and replacing it with a new "brand" - Xtreme Surge At Night. Effective November 1, 2006, SurgeTV will begin broadcasting reruns of Hogan Knows Best and original WWE programming. Filling out the early morning hours will be the ground-breaking American (English language channel) debut of Lucha Libre sporting events.

SurgeTV will continue publishing Sci Fi magazine, which will remain uneffected by the format changes taking place on air.

SurgeTV is a television network where extreme action can be found. SurgeTV fuels the adrenaline of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic wrestling programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 85 million homes, SurgeTV is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.
 

So it seems that they must have liked the original idea the pranksters played, but bided their time until now to actually make the move themselves. I wonder if somebody got a bonus for digging up the old hoax via google and polishing it up and presenting it as their own turd.

Somebody should tell them that "SurgeTV" was a JOKE. More likely, it was a PROTEST against the idiotic programming decisions going on at the network.

Ah well.

Be sure to read my opinion piece about Science Fiction Television from a while back.