Sci Fi channel now available on cable

Author: Nickie Wang
Column: Life & Entertainment

Just like the way a father welcomes a newly-born member to his family, Solar Entertainment president Wilson Tieng was all emotional when he acknowledged the guests at the launch of the new channel, Sci Fi, on May 15 at the A. Venue Events Hall.

Holding his microphone with both hands and almost teary-eyed, he said, "This is a great opportunity for me, my family, and my company to thank all of you--our advertisers, our media partners--for your continued support."

Instead of reading a prepared speech that he purposely left on his table, Tieng just delivered an impromptu welcome remark.

"Especially during [maybe] the darkest moment of our company, or during our episode with another network regarding Manny Pacquiao, we are very appreciative of your sticking with us during those times. I hope the support you've shown to the Solar Sports Channel would somehow be the same kind of support to Sci Fi, the new member of the family," still trying to conceal his emotion, Solar Entertainment's head honcho appealed.

Owned by entertainment powerhouse NBC Universal and reaching millions of viewers across 40 countries worldwide, Sci Fi is the only global brand dedicated to the world's favorite genre--science fiction. According to Raymund Miranda, managing director of NBC Universal Regional Office in Singapore, Sci Fi is doing very well in the United States and it is also making waves in Southeast Asia when it started operations in 2007.

"We are very pleased to be partner with Solar Entertainment Corp. that represents Sci Fi in the Philippines both on distribution and marketing perspectives," Miranda, a former GMA Network executive, said.

Focused on the tagline "Where Imagination Lives," Sci Fi offers the best in science fiction, horror, fantasy and alternate realities. The channel is also dedicated to bringing the best and the hottest television series and blockbuster movies.

The world of Sanctuary

Sci Fi's Philippine debut is anchored by the channel's gothic-themed original series Sanctuary that premiered May 20 at 9 p.m. The Sci Fi-produced series takes viewers into the unknown where they can discover the mystery about the strange creatures that lurk in the corners of the earth. It is the first series to shoot extensively on green screen using virtual sets and extraordinary visual effects.

From Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis creator Damian Kindler, the popular Web-turned-television series follows the exploit of Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping), an immortal from Victorian England doing battle with modern-day monsters. Dr. Magnus and her team track down, study, and protect the extraordinary and paranormal creatures called the "Abnormals"--a clandestine group of strange and sometimes terrifying beings that hide among humans.

The cutting-edge series also features forensic psychiatrist Dr. Will Zimmerman (Robin Dune) and her fearless daughter Ashley (Emilie Ullerup). An insightful psychiatric profiler with a knack for finding the strange and curious, Dr. Will reluctantly joins Dr. Magnus in the study of strange creatures he can hardly believe himself. The team uses its unique combination of instinct, medicine and cutting-edge technology to find the strange beings.

Alternate realities

Science fiction is a genre that cuts across all age groups. During the launch of Sci Fi, Miranda mentioned that 70 percent of the top-grossing films of all time belong to the science fiction genre. He elaborated that science fiction has been in the mainstream but no media organization intended to have a channel dedicated to the genre that is perceived to cater to a much larger audience.

Aiming to give Filipinos the best of sci-fi entertainment, for its initial offering, Sci Fi takes the viewers into a journey in the uncharted depths of space while evading the Cylons in Battlestar Galactica every Tuesday at 9 p.m., and then will let them experience how is it like to have the oddest job on earth in the quirky series Dead Like Me, every Friday at 9 p.m.

Sci Fi also features best-loved science fiction series like Blade: The Series, Smallville, Heroes, Mutant X, Andromeda, Xena: The Warrior Princess, Quantum Leap, and Sliders, among others. As Solar Entertainment's latest addition to its cable channels like Jack TV, 2nd Avenue, ETC Entertainment Central, and Solar Sports, Sci Fi is available on Global Destiny Channel 90 and Cable Link Channel 50.

Source: Manila Standard Today