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I can reveal that Syfy (previously known as the The Sci Fi Channel when it was carried on MultiChoice's DStv) plans to launch in South Africa ''very soon''.
I asked and was told that the channel - that was in negotiations with On Digital Media's (ODM) TopTV before it launched in May for a place on the new pay TV operator's bouquet - is indeed looking to make a comeback. ''Our objective is to launch Syfy in South Africa and to do so very soon,'' says Colin McLeod, Universal Networks International managing director.
''Syfy is truly a global brand and the re-branding has broadened [the channel's] appeal to a much wider audience with Syfy-productions like Caprica and Eureka,'' says Colin McLeod. ''So of course there are requests from the market. This is a dynamic market where programme rights are becoming more expensive and harder to access. Of course in any negotiation, fees are a discussion point but only a small part of the deal. We'd love to launch Syfy in Africa but the conditions have to be right.''
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