From: THC8650@TNTECH.BITNET ("Troy H. Cheek  The /|\tari Cowboy")
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv
Subject: SFA Network News Part 3
Date: 9 Apr 92 21:22:00 GMT


Just what is the...

      SPACE, FANTASY & ADVENTURE NETWORK

              and what is it offering you?


The Space, Fantasy & Adventure Network (SFAN) is the first and only
satellite/cable television channel to be developed by a team combining
enough imagination to understand the needs of a specialized audience and
the practical business expertise necessary to make it a viable reality.
Development has happened primarily under wraps so SFAN would not have to
live down unrealistic public promises.

Our special recipe for SFAN:  begin with Walter "Chekov" Koenig as a
spokesperson and host/producer of a movie/TV oriented talk show, add HIGH
FRONTIER space advocacy group, stir in Atari Computer Corporation, throw in
Bjo Trimble (whose letter-writing campaign saved STAR TREK in 1968:  she
afterward worked with Roddenberry), throw in industry development,
executive, marketing, production, and engineering professionals, fold in a
programming content and format _nothing_ like a cross between MTV and The
Disney Channel, spice with our slogan from Arthur C. Clarke ("Science
fiction is the only _genuine_ consciousness-expanding drug!"), and mix all
this in the determined hands of a Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, and
Horror devotee.  Combine it all and serve SFAN to an eager fandom.

At this moment we are in the final stages of negotiation with other STAR
TREK original cast members.  Cooperation from a number of renowned science
fiction and fantasy writer awaits only SFAN's successful acquisition of
funding.

SFAN is in negotiation for funding at this moment and we are taking this
opportunity to give STAR TREK and _other_ enthusiast groups a "sneak
preview" of our existence and forthcoming public announcement and ask for
your support.  We need you to help convince the cable industry of the
existing audience and suppport SFAN can expect.  They only understand the
concrete reality of numbers.

Successful negotiation for funding will enable SFAN to launch promptly
(within six months of funding), but that does not guarantee 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 availability of programming for a channel like ours.

Back in 1968 NBC received over one million letters to save STAR TREK from
cancellation after its second season; a galf million letters resulted in
naming the Space Shuttle Enterprise; and a half million letters 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 ou goal delivery of a half million letters demanding
SFAN to each of the top five cable multi-system operators.  It is the sort
of reality they understand.

You can make yourself and your friends part of the success of SFAN by
writing to the cable MSOs, proving you do exist and that you demand more
than "The Persian Shopping Channel".  However, writing to your local cable
company is a waste of your time and stamps.  Your letters serve only to
fill their wastebaskets.  You have to hit the cable MSOs at the Executive
level.

The addresses and names of the top five cable MSOs, as well as a sample
letter and Bjo Trimble's revised "How-To", are provided for your
convenience.  SFAN looks forward to hearing from you and serving you for
years to come.

Target date for that flood of letters is mid-to-late April, 1992.

It can _only_ happen with you.