From: pip@pro-freedom.cts.com (David Pipgras)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.info
Subject: SFAN Information
Followup-To: rec.arts.startrek.misc
Date: 22 Jul 1992 19:13:13 GMT
Organization: ProLine [pro-freedom] AppleVan (Apple UG of Vancouver, WA)
Distribution: world
Reply-To: pip@pro-freedom.cts.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: xcf.berkeley.edu
Originator: griffith@xcf.Berkeley.EDU


JUST WHAT IS THE SPACE, FANTASY & ADVENTURE NETWORK
AND WHAT IS IT OFFERING YOU ?
 
The Space, Fantasy & Adventure Network (SFAN) is the first satellite/cable
television channel to be developed by a team combining enought imagination to
under stand the needs of a specialized audience and the practical business
expertise necessary to make it a viable reality. Review our checklist:
 
        * Walter "Checkov" Koenig as a spokesperson and host/producer of
          a movie/TV oriented talk show.
 
        * HIGH FRONTIER space advocacy group.
 
        * Bjo Trimble (whose letter-writing campaign saved  STAR TREK in
          1968. She later worked with Gene Roddenberry!)
 
        * Experienced development, executive, marketing, production and
          engineering professionals.
 
        * Solid programming content and format
 
        * Our slogan from Arthur C. Clarke: "Science Fiction is the only
          _genuine_ conciousness-expanding druf!"
 
        * Determined Space, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Adventure/Horror devotees
 
        * Negotiation with other Star Trek original cast members
 
        * Cooperation from a number of renowned science fiction and fantasy
          writers.
 
Successful negotiation for funding will enable SFAN to launch within six to
eight months of funding, but that does not guarentee carriage by the largest
cable multi-system operators (MSOs). The top five MSOs constitute almost 40%
of the nationwide cable systems and are on record as doubting the audience and
the availability of programming for a channel like ours.

Back in 1968 over one-million letters saved STAR TREK from cancellation; a half
-million letters resulted in naming the space Shuttle Enterprise; and a half-
mllion letters sent to President Regan twice helped save the space program
budget. The source for all of these letter-writing campaigns has been, and
continues to be, dedicated fans. Bjo Trimble was pivotal in all these efforts
and, as our Director of Viewer relations, has made as our goal, delivery of a
half-million letters demanding SFAN to each of the five top cable multi-system
operators.  It is the sort of reality that they understand.

You can make yourself and your friends part of hte sucess of SFAN by writing to
the cable MSOs, proving you do exist and that you want SFAN. Writing to your
local cable company is a waste of your time and stamps. You have to hit the
cable MSOs at the Executive level. We need you to help convience the cable
industry of the existing audience and support SFAN can expect. They only
understand concrete reality of numbers.

SFAN looks forward to hearing from you ans serving you for years to come.
Target date for flood of letters is mid-to-late April 1992. But remember, it is
never to late to let them  know! It can only happen with you.

[Note - this article was submitted on 6/26/92 - ed.]

======================================
TOP FIVE CABLE MSOs
======================================
 
Number One:
Tele-communications Inc. Suite 600
John C. Malone, President & CEO
4643 South Ulster Street
Denver, Colorado, 80237
Phone : 303-721-5500
 
 
Number Two:
ATC-WARNER-PARAGON
Joseph P. Collins, Chmn. & CEO
300 First Stamford Place
Stamford, Connecticut 06902-6732
Phone : 203-328-0600
Fax   : 203-328-0690
 
 
Number Three:
Continental Cablevision, Inc.
Amos B. Hofstetter, Jr., Chmn. & CEO
Pilot House
Lewis Warf
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Phone : 502-223-3401
 
 
Number Four:
Comcast Corporation
Ralph J. Roberts, Chmn.
1234 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3732
Phone : 215-685-1700
 
Number Five:
Cox Cable Communications
James O. Roberts, President
1400 Lake Hearn Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30319
Phone: 404-843-5000
 
 
 
==================================
HOW TO WRITE EFFECTIVE LETTERS
==================================
 
1. Write a short, sincere individual leter to EACH multi-system operator (MSO) 
 saying that you want the Space Fantasy & Adventure Network (SFAN). When mail i
s counted, your letter will truly make the difference.
 
2. THEN, ask 10 people to write letters. They write the letters and then ask 10
 people to write letters, and on and on (get the idea?). Don't be judgemental; 
there are many "closet" fans out there: fellow workers, neighbors, church group
s, classmates, civic and other clubs, etc.
 
3. Don't (ever) address a V.I.P. (executive) familiarly, act smart, use insulti
ng language, or tell a corporation how to run their business - you are asking f
or a favor--the privilige of getting SFAN, you own special genra network. The w
rong attitude will nullify your letter.
 
4. Be pleasant. Corporations seldom get anything but complaints, so a cheerful,
 upbeat letter can make a CEO more receptive.
 
5. Don't use form letters, meimographed (photocopied) or multiple carbons. Such
 letters give the impression that only a small segment is doing all the writing
--but computer leters are OK
 
6. Sign the letter!! Annoymous mail is sleazy and is either thrown away or put 
in the "nut" file.
 
7. Use comapny letterhead or club stationary if you have a right to. Corporatio
ns are sensitive to potential "Pressure groups"
 
8. Don't misrepresent yourself. Corporations are geared to ferret out spurious 
claims. Such tricks will not help SFAN and someone may check it out for a news 
story.
 
9. Don't barrage local cable companies -- they are not interested unless the MS
Os are interested and accept SFAN first.
 
10. Use petitions to get the names from those who won't bother to write a lette
r themselves. Corporations understand that only a percentage of people will get
 off their fat apathy to write letters; signatures on a petition can show how m
any MORE people want SFAN on their cable. The petition should have at least one
 contact address.
 
11. Keep letters on SFAN and getting on everywhere!
 
12. Don't mail you letters to SFAN!! We would have to re-mail them again. We do
 want to hear about your mail campaign tho'
 
13. For this campaign, it is not necessary to use business envelopes. Personal 
stationary and postcards will do just fine.
 
 
 
==========================================
FINAL WORDS DEPARTMENT
=========================================
 
SFAN is *NOT* in any way connected with the ill-claimed "Sci-Fi Channel." SFAN 
has been in planning since 1988 and is prepared to go online within 6-8 months 
of funding and support from the MSOs. If you would like to contact SFAN, please
 write to:
 
Bjo Trimble (or Mike Kelly)
SFA Network
Suite 372
1807 Slaughter Lane #200
Austin, Texas 78748-6200
 
Mike Kelly is the founder/person with the dream of SFAN... He is a real person,
 and you can contact him at the above address.
 
Please, *PLEASE* pass on this information on SFAN to EVERYONE. Feel free to rep
rint it in your newsletters, post to your BBS systems, tatoo on your pets (no, 
just kidding on the pets--but you get the idea).
 
 
Dave

-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edited by Jim "The Big Dweeb" Griffith - the official scapegoat for r.a.s.i.
Email submissions to trek-info@dweeb.fx.com, and questions to
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