From: ira2p@faraday.clas.Virginia.EDU (Iain Robert Asplin)
Subject: Definite news on SciFi Cahannel
Organization: University of Virginia
Distribution: rec.arts.drwho,  and CableVisions across the US
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 01:19:22 GMT

The following is a letter I recevied today in response to a letter I
sent USA Network some time ago regarding the SciFi Channel:

Dear SciFi Channel,
	We are thrilled to be able to introduce ourselves to you as the
new owners of the SCI-FI CHANNEL.  USA Network is one of the largest,
most successful basic cable networks.  We hope to apply the same 
expertise to the management of our new network.  As the SCI-FI CHANNEL's
most loyal supporters, we want to give you an update on the progress of
your network.
	WE WILL LAUNCH THE SCI-FI CHANNEL (SFC) on SEPTEMBER 24,1992
		with the prime time presentation of "STAR WARS!"
Our immediate goal is to bring SFC to as many people as possible on our
launch date.  Since your local cable system controls which networks you
can receive, we are currently trying to encourage local cable operators
to offer SFC to their subscribers on September 24th.  Your local cable
system may not be able to carry the SFC immediately due to limited channl
capacity or other restrictions, however they are interested in knowing
what cable networks their customers want to receive.

You can help by writing to your local cable company, to the attention of the
System Manager, and telling them that you want to see the SCI-FI CHANNEL on
September 24th!

On the programming front, we want to bring you up-to-date on what SFC
programs we have acquired and what ORIGINAL programming we are currently
developing.  The following are just some of the series that the SFC has secured.
Amazing Stories
Bionic Woman
Dark Shadows
Space: 1999
Buck Rogers
Other World
War of the Worlds
Invisible Man
Voyagers
Doctor Who   (yeah!)
Flash Gordon
Night Stalker
Lost in Space
Alien Nation
Incredible Hulk
Tales From the Darkside
Rod Serling's Night Gallery
Battlestar Galactica
Star Trek Movies
One Step Beyond
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea

In addition to these classic programs, SFC is developing original programs
for the channel.  Thanks to foresight and initiative by our owners, Paramount
and Universal, SFC will produce an unprecedented 12 ORIGNAL MOTION PICTURES
in the first year, a $30 million production commitment!  We are also
developing several original series and specials to air in Year One.

We know that you have been patiently waiting to hear from us.  As you can
imagine we have a tremendous amount of work to do by September 24th.
Part of our efforts will be directed towards the SFC FAN CLUB and putting
together programs and items especially for you.  We appreciate your
continued patience as we get programs and staff in place.  Look for a 
more complete SFC FAN CLUB mailing shortly.

We value your supposrt and enthusiasm for SFC and look forward to bringing
you a channel you can be proud of on September 24th!

Sincerely,
Paul van de Kamp
SCI-FI CHANNEL

They also enclosed a petition form.  They would like people to try and
organize some sort of mass signings and then turn those signatures
over to their local cable companies, and sent a copy to them.

here's their address:

SCI-FI CHANNEL 
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY
10020

phone (212) 408-9100

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