Sci-Fi Channel Alternatives

Some people have asked about other places that they should write to about picking up the show, since they feel that SFC has not been treating MG very well. Here are a few other places that MG could air:

[Written March 7th, 1998]

Syndication
This is my #1 choice as an alternative (and potentially better than SFC altogether). As ST: The Next Generation and Babylon 5 have shown (and maybe in less extent, DS9) Sci-Fi shows have and can flourish very well in syndication. This would definitely shorten the 'leash' that most networks have on their shows (but not cut because DWB would still be on YTV, most likely) and leave DWB free explore whatever kinds of storylines that the producers want. Also, in syndication, ratings are not as big a deal. An example: Sci-Fi had started the show in July, but stopped running new episodes in September, with plans to air the rest of the new eps during the November sweeps period, sticking reruns in its place. When the new eps came along in November, lots of people probably didn't tune in since they didn't know they were on. Had the show been in syndication, this probably wouldn't have happened.
The networks
Could ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC potential buyers? Realistically, I don't think so. If the show didn't do well on SFC, a cable channel, the netexecs will probably be thinking to themselves, "What could it possibly do for us?" And really, the show wasn't incredibly well-received (in fact, lotsa people thought it was, in their words, total crap) by the critics on SFC, so unless one of the networks wanted to do a makeover on the show (which I would object strongly and loudly to), they probably don't think of it as a real ratings-grabber.
The smaller 2 new networks, UPN and WB, might be desperate enough, although the show would probably get about the same amount of exposure that it does on SFC and a lot more micromanaging.
I would like to think of going to the networks as a last resort, since (no matter what network they went on, except maybe NBC), the network'd be very tempted to micro-manage, since they're so ratings-crazy, which could spell bad news (and bad writing) for us fans. They would also make more 'programming choices' like the one SFC did with MG's first season [above].
Half-and-half
If we could get the show to keep on going in Canada, on YTV, and get SFC to release their airing rights, we could always get the show on YTV in Canada, and in syndication in the US. YTV is probably not as willing to let go of DWB as SFC is of MG, since DWB seems to have gotten a fair amount of exposure with their 8-15 year-old crowd. The catch with this one is that while the ratings are still not as important, you still have network micro-management from YTV (but they don't strike me very muchs as the micro-managing type--anyone else have insight on some of their other in-house programming?).

So that's my view on it--syndication would be the ideal place. Those are the major alternatives for US viewers (probably a couple of smaller ones that I missed). For UK\Overseas alternatives, see the UK page.

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