The regular season is over and I am now in the process of my annual look back at the prior year to see how sci fi TV shows are faring these days. And of course, that involves a look at Syfy, the channel that is supposedly dedicated to sci fi and fantasy television. We have come a long way from the days when the Sci Fi Channel was airing beloved franchises like Farscape, Battlestar: Galactica, and Stargate. We have even come a long way from 2015, the point at which the rebranded Syfy claimed they would be going back to their science fiction roots (after half a decade of “sci fi lite” shows). That got off to somewhat of a promising start with Dark Matter, Killjoys, The Expanse, and the Childhood’s End mini-series. But much has changed since then and Syfy has become a pale shadow of what it once was.
The network has actually been on a downward spiral for a while, though that has accelerated the last few years. When it rebranded as Syfy in 2009, it had some success with shows like Warehouse 13, Sanctuary, and Being Human. But that was shortlived and the ratings declines really started to pick up in the middle of the 2010’s. The science fiction community was not happy with the network’s turn away from the space-based franchises it was known for when it rebranded (adding wrestling to the lineup didn’t help either). So even when Syfy tried to reach back out to that audience with shows like Dark Matter and The Expanse, viewers were hesitant to tune in and those shows pulled mediocre at best ratings.
The number of scripted shows the network has to offer each year has been on a steady decline, with the current season having the lowest number of originals in a long time. Looking back over the past six years, Syfy reached a peak of thirteen scripted shows (though some were Canadian imports) in the 2015-16 season, but that has dropped each year since then and plummeted this season so far to just three (one more might get added to the list if Wynonna Earp airs its fourth season in Summer). Four out of six of those years, supernatural drama The Magicians was the highest-rated show on the network. Only one of those years had a scripted science fiction offering topping the list which was 2015’s Childhood’s End mini-series.
| Season | Series Count | Network Rtgs Avg | % Chg from Prior | Highest Rated Series |
| 2014-15 | 11 | 0.24 | 0.0% | Z Nation |
| 2015-16 | 13 | 0.18 | -24.4% | Childhood’s End |
| 2016-17 | 12 | 0.18 | -0.6% | The Magicians |
| 2017-18 | 11 | 0.15 | -16.3% | The Magicians |
| 2018-19 | 9 | 0.12 | -21.1% | The Magicians |
| 2019-20 | 3 | 0.09 | -27.9% | The Magicians |
That promised returned to science fiction programming for the network is pretty much a thing of the past. Shows like Krypton, Nightflyers, and Killjoys disappeared from the schedule last season and Vagrant Queen is the only thing that counts as close to science fiction this year. Apart from that, the network has tried supernatural, horror, and comics-based shows, but nothing has really stuck. In fact, Syfy seems to have lost any sort of clear direction as it continues its spaghetti-against-the-wall approach to try and find the next Game of Thrones or Walking Dead.
The current season pretty much counts as a bust for the network as its ratings have slipped to all-time lows, and all three of this year’s shows from this year are pretty much done. The Magicians was cancelled after its fifth season and Van Helsing was renewed for a fifth and final season to air next year (reinforcing Syfy’s five-year wall). Vagrant Queen appears almost certainly headed to cancellation and perenially low-rated Wynonna Earp can at best hope for a final season renewal (allegedly it was already renewed for a fifth season, but the financial struggles of its production company may put the kibosh that).
As far as current development, Resident Alien–based on the Dark Horse comic series and starring Alan Tudyk–is the only thing of interest to science fiction fans (originally scheduled for a Summer 2020 premiere, but it may be impacted by the production delays). Apart from that, Syfy has a Chucky series in the works (based on the Child’s Play film franchise) as well as a Nightbreed series (based on the Clive Barker horror film) and a Night Gallery reboot. That latter series may be of interest for its Rod Serling connection, but most of the network’s planned originals seem to be focused on horror and supernatural themes.
One potential bright spot is Syfy’s TZGZ late-night animation block which appears to be competing for the Adult Swim audience. It first debuted with little fanfare in November 2019 (the network is notorious about not promoting its own shows) and is looking to expand when it returns in Summer or Fall. Several new shows have been ordered to go along with the Futurama repeats that anchor the animated segment. Syfy could find some success with that, but I can’t say for certain how much that appeals to the science fiction community.
The cable networks in general seem to be backing away from scripted programming as they are finding it harder and harder to compete with the high-dollar productions from the streaming services. Syfy has definitely cut back on its scripted originals and the few shows it has in development will do little to bring the network back to its roots. And with most of the shows it is airing failing to find much of an audience, the future looks bleak. Does Syfy become another cable network airing mostly repeats of movies and TV shows, or does it shutter its doors altogether as Chiller (also owned by NBCUniversal) did in 2017? The Peak TV crunch is taking its toll on the cable networks, and Syfy continues to look vulnerable based on where it currently stands.
Are you still watching the Syfy originals and do any of the shows currently in development interest you? Chime in with your comments below.
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Originally, I loved the idea of a SciFi Channel and was onboard from its beginning; many a Friday nights were forsaken to its’ line-up: the Stargate franchises to be sure. As time progressed work and school became more demanding and I couldn’t watch as much as would’ve liked, but SyFy was usually playing in the background filling the room with its’ unique feel: science fiction/fantasy.
I departed SyFy after it began featuring big-time wrestling. In short, SyFy left its’ fans behind by moving away from its core programming and started gratuitously cancelling shows w/o substituting compelling, viable options in return. The cool background SciFi themes had morphed into uninteresting noise and relentless wrestling advertising.
The good news is, as of this writing, I’ve gone back and watching shows (streaming) that I didn’t have time for then: Warehouse 13; Eureka; The Expanse; Sanctuary; and Helix to name a few. And what a joy it is, as I’ve been able to experience that early SyFy ‘feel’ again.
As far as new programming is concerned I haven’t watched the SyFy Channel for years, BUT, it was certainly great while it lasted!
The ONLY way “SyFy” could EVER become viable is if they changed there entire format:
1) Go back to SciFi (Channel). Who cares if you can trademark “Syfy?” You just made yourself look stupid.
2) Fill your program with actual SciFi and cut the horror/wrestling/reality crap.
3) Show old shows no one has heard of. It’s okay to fill your program slots with fun science fiction series of the past. Then, make them special with interview segments of the original cast. I’d love to watch Buck Rogers in the 25th Century knowing I’d see interviews with Erin Gray, for example, in snippets throughout the show.
4) More RETROSPECTIVE shows on Sci Fi. Yes, DOCUMENTARIES on actual Science Fiction, including books, TV, authors, actors, upcoming movies, etc. Make shows ABOUT Science Fiction!
5) Show FORGOTTEN Science Fiction shows of the past! Star Maidens, Otherworld, The Powers of Matthew Star, Fantastic Journey, etc.
Honestly, I could do a better job of programming by simply picking series that would attract Sci Fi fans.
Stargate Atlantis was supposed to have a movie, but actor’s strike destroyed all hope. They should have made one more season. I LOVED that show.
They need to advertise their new shows on other channels, like they used to.
SYFY started going down hill after they cancelled the Stargate franchise. They held us for a bit with Kill Joys and Dark Matter. However they have lost there way and in the near future I see them as just plian going by the way side and be just another rerun channel with no original programming. It appears that MGM has bankrupted this channel. We almost never watch it anymore, there programing pretty much sucks. SiFi was a staple for our family viewing. NOT ANYMORE. They need to go back to what made them successful. And reboot and start all over again .
I didn’t know much about SYFY channel but I was taken in by The Magicians. When they cancelled that show, it literally broke my heart. Then I heard about the five year wall. I can’t get behind a channel that produces a freat show, cultivates a loyal fan base and then drops the show as a matter of course (five year wall) and fans be damned. No, I will never forgive SYFY for that. They will never get my eyeballs again for what it is worth.
I guess I am the only one who was watching Face Off! It was the only show we truly looked forward to. 13 seasons, I would think should have gotten some mention in the article. I am used to this. We were probably the only ones watching The 4400 in USA, and Humans in AMC.
“The Expanse” gave me hope, not holding on to it was a big blunder. Put Wrestling on and I gave up!
Ditto that.
Has anyone noticed that syfy channel is showing action movies? Not my syfy that I remembered!
Syfy is a joke now Harry Potter really Futurama give me a break. I have pretty much stopped watching the channel. Who ever is in charge doesn’t understand Syfy at all. if and when they do put something on worth watching its gone on a couple of shows. They pick the worst shows to reshow 15 times a month.
You got that one right what the hell to do these people too stupid to figer it put
Unfortunately yes they cancel too many shows. Syfy doesnt understand they are never going to get amazing ratings like a major network will for sci-fi mainstream type of shows like Lost or even Heroes like shows. Sci-fi itself isn’t beloved by all and they cancel everything so soon/quickly screwing the loyal/cult following they do have. It makes me swear them off a few years at a time. In the age of streaming you will grow audiences by keeping a show alive/gambling a bit on it. Like having an amazing sale to get customers in the door, they need to understand business and stop slamming the door in our faces then asking us to watch crappy replacements that have no hope for renewal. Eureka and Magicians come to mind for me but Im sure if I peel back the mental band-aid I could list 10 shows they broke my heart over. Being human they didnt even say it was the final season! Sure UK did only 5S but yeah a warning would be nice! Much like Obi wan Tudyk is their only hope!
This is a really good article. And it’s sad but true as well.
I *actively* quit watching the SyFy channel when they cancelled the Expanse and Dark Matter. I have a “thing” against watching streamed shows, but for the Expanse, I broke that, and I’m glad I did. The 3rd season was a little odd, but if you’ve followed the series long enough, each season is truly different than the last. And the 4th season was sort of back to form.
[I did check out Nightflyers, I am ashamed to say, and that was truly awful.]
Anyway, SyFy truly sucks now as a network, but maybe by when Resident Alien starts, I mean after all, Alan Tudyk is a rock star :-), my anger at them will have worn off enough that I’ll check that show out. But based on this article, that’ll probably be it.
Oh, I keep wishing Comet would start their own independent show creation, and take the baton from SyFy, (beat SyFy over the head with it,) and run with it. Not yet though, but I keep wishing!
I watch SyFi very intermittently now! You took Dominion off in 2015 at the end of which you left off on a cliffhanger without a decent finish and little hope of another season or a decent finish! You do that yo a lot of shows so I have no use for you and think you stink!
Addendum:
As to the question of channel viability? I think SyFy or SciFi as a cable channel is finished – basically a dead man walking. Once the peacock network gets off the ground it can organize an internal Sci-Fi stream or picklist or something like that and then administer last rites to SyFy.
Loved Z Nation, the killjoys, dark matter, and the expanse. They were really good shows. Syfy needs some body who loves science fiction and can understand how to build a following.
I more or less completely checked out when they canceled Stargate: Universe which I believe was shortly after the rebranding. I was drawn back in by Dark Matter and the Expanse – we all know what happened there. Vagrant Queen is just an appalling attempt to appeal to the space based genre. At this point they’d likely kill to get a show with half the ratings that got SGU canceled.
what happened to expanse? it is still running
Oh yeah. Amazon saved it after Syfy cancelled the show. The fourth season has already been released on Prime Video and the fifth season is on the way later this year.