FarscapeWeekly
eZine
¤ ¤ 15-Sept-02 ¤ ¤
For easier reading, use the bookmarks below:
Site News
Cancellation FAQ
¤ 1) What happened?
¤ 2) Why did SCI FI cancel Farscape?
¤ 3) Were the ratings really that bad?
Is it really that expensive?
¤ 4) Could another network pickup Farscape?
¤ 5) What's the current status?
¤ 6) What can I do to help?
¤ 7) I did that already. What should I do
now?
¤ 8) Should I boycott the SCI FI Channel
until they renew Farscape?
¤ 9) Where can I go to get more frequent
updates?
¤ 10) I'm in media and can help spread the
word. Who should I contact for more information?
¤ 11) Who is this Barbarella person in
the #farscape chat room?
Quote of the Week
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As there are no new episodes this week, many of the usual episode resources have been omitted from this issue. They will return in January with the second half of Season 4, or before then if SCI FI decides to air repeats. The bulk of this newsletter is devoted to the FARSCAPE Cancellation FAQ. I hope it provides the answers that many of you are looking for.
Reconstruction has been delayed due to the cancellation and our rescue campaign. If you are looking for something that used to be here and you can't find it, just send me an email.
Please feel free to forward this eZine to anyone you feel it may interest. If you would like to subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your subscription address, just click here. For comments, questions, or submissions, eMail jhedman@alum.mit.edu.
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Farscape Cancellation FAQ
Major
kudos to the many webmasters keeping all this data current and
available, especially those at SaveFarscape.com.
1) What happened?
On
Friday, 6 September at 9PM Eastern, executive
producer David Kemper, writer/producer Richard
Manning, and series star Ben Browder announced
that the SCI FI Channel would not be renewing Farscape for
its expected fifth season. You can read the entire chat
transcript here. Key points
from this chat:
¤ Filming of Season 4 was just wrapping up. There is no possibility of resolving existing plotlines within Season 4.
¤ Brian Henson of Henson Co had done everything within his power at that time to try and resolve the issues, but no agreement could be made.
¤ Sets were scheduled to be destroyed on Wednesday, September 11, once filming was complete.
¤ Kemper et al asked for fans' help to get the word out and try to affect a change in the decision.
Important background information:
¤ This information was released by Farscape production personnel in an official Farscape chat, not an official SCI FI chat. In effect, the Farscape production folks "scooped" SCI FI by announcing the cancellation well before SCI FI was planning on announcing it themselves.
¤ At this point, it appears that there was some truth to the Ain't It Cool News rumor that circulated earlier this year (see Season 4 "Finale" and Uncool Rumors) and the wording of SCI FI's "season finale" advertising campaign preceding episode 4.11, "Unrealized Reality."
¤ Both SCI FI's parent company, Vivendi, and the Jim Henson Co's parent company, EMTV, are apparently strapped for cash.
The
Fan Response
Fan forces mobilized that evening, spreading the word to
online media outlets and launching their campaign of telegrams,
letters, emails, and phone calls to SCI FI Channel executives,
USA Networks, and Vivendi. EMTV, owners of Henson Co, were also
targetted with correspondance asking for support for the show.
Overnight, online petitions and websites sprung up:
¤ FarscapeWeekly's Farscape Cancelled article was quickly followed by the SaveFarscape site at farscape.wdsection.com. In the days that followed, many Farscape websites dedicated themselves to the effort, including:
FarscapeWorld
Farscape Darkscape
KarlsWeb
Caitlin R. Kiernan's Nebari.net
and, at last count, over 3 dozen other sites with fan forums, chat logs, and contact information.
The URL SaveFarscapeCentral was recently acquired and is under construction. That site will be used for announcements and messages from Farscape production personnel, as well as general campaign information.
¤ Online petitions:
Save Farscape petition (approximately 29,500 as of 9/14)
Fifth Season petition (approximately 11,500 as of 9/14)
Fund Farscape petition (over1,250 signatures, with over $100,000 pledged as of 9/15)
Reconsider Cancellation petition to SCI FI Channel
Downloadable/printable petition to SCI FI execs
In the Real World, fan rallies were held in NYC at SCI FI's office on 12 September, and a rally at CNN in Atlanta on 15 September. More are being planned in cities around the US; check the forums at SaveFarscape for more information.
The
Media Response
Online news sources, particularly those focused on
science fiction media, ran with the story immediately, thanks to
notification efforts by fans in attendance at the Friday night
chat. By 9 September, the number of media outlets covering the
story was truly staggering. Matt Roush, TV
Guide's outspoken supporter of Farscape,
weighed in September 9 with his piece, "Moya no more?" TV
Guide is actively following this story, interviewing fan
organizer Barbarella about our efforts for an upcoming piece.
More than two dozen items appeared online between 6 September and 10 September, including coverage as diverse as SlashDot.org, Ain't It Cool News, The Sydney Telegraph, Cinescape, TV Guide Insider, both the Post and the Daily News in New York, and CNN. com. Since 10 September, literally dozens of other articles have appeared in other online news sites, including several major newspapers such as the Boston Herald and the San Antonio Express-News. Reuters mentions our efforts in their article, Online Petitions Gather Steam on the Internet. For a complete listing of media coverage, please click here.
Television
coverage: On Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 and 12
September, CNN Headline news covered the Save Farscape
effort in their HotWired segment; here are the transcripts and viewable video. TechTV
mentioned the campaign briefly in their Tech Live segment on 12
September. CNN is reportedly interviewing
series' star Ben Browder for a segment to air
Tuesday, 24 September.
source:
SaveFarscape's media articles page, various alt.tv.farscape posts
2) Why did SCI FI cancel FARSCAPE?
SCI
FI was forced to release the following statement confirming
the cancellation news on Monday, 9 September. SCI FI execs cited Farscape's
inability "to grow beyond its core fan base" and
"the extreme and growing cost of production" as the
reasons for their decision. In other words, according to SCI FI, Farscape's
current ratings don't justify its cost to them, and they don't
expect the ratings to improve.
The unofficial word says that SCI FI wanted to reduce the amount it pays for each episode for Season 5. EMTV (Henson's parent company) refused to lower its price, and SCI FI walked.
3) Were the ratings really that bad?
Is it really that expensive?
Ratings
The rating question is a complicated one, made more
complex by all the different ways ratings can be reported, and
all of the external factors can have an influence on ratings.
Citing the three sources linked below, Farscape
enjoyed phenomenal ratings growth in its first 3 years. However,
ratings for Season 4 seem to have stalled. Here are
important facts about Farscape's season 4
ratings and demographics:
¤ SCI FI reports only the first airing's rating on SCI FI Wire each Monday. When determining ad rates, however, the combined ratings for both airings are most likely used. Based on the combined rating for the 10PM and midnight broadcasts, Farscape's ratings increased 16-17% over season 3.
¤ Ratings are always lower in the summer months than they are in the winter. This is a fact of network life. Season 4 had no winter episodes, beginning as it did in June. Please see our Ratings page to see the effect that the timing of the episodes and hiatuses has on their ratings. It is incorrect to compare ratings for episodes 3.01-3.11 to episodes 4.01-4.11. You must compare episodes airing 6/01-8/01 to episodes airing in 6/02-8/02, which our ratings graphs easily allow.
¤ Farscape's core fan base is stable. Gaining additional rating points can only be achieved by reaching more casual viewers. One of the strongest influences on attracting casual viewers is advertising. This summer, SCI FI's advertising budget was heavily skewed towards pushing its newest acquisition, Stargate SG-1. Farscape had no off-channel advertising, and greatly reduced in-channel advertising during the "Summer of SCI FI" 2002. Episodes with significant ad support, such as 23 August's "Unrealized Reality", pulled in excellent ratings (1.5 share of households).
¤ The move to the 10PM timeslot undoubtedly hurt Farscape, possibly explaining the near-stagnant ratings at 10PM and the remarkable growth of the midnight airing's ratings. It's highly plausible that some fans waited until the midnight showing, preferring instead to watch competing genre shows on Showtime, or the well-received and highly rated Monk on USA.
¤ Demographics: Farcape's Season 4 showed growth in the key demographics of Males 21-34 and 35-44, with exceptional growth in the older male demographic, ages 55-64, more than doubling its share of that age group in Season 3. Among females, there was even more significant growth, particularly in the key Female 21-34 demographic, which nearly doubled. Farscape' share rating in the Males 21-34 group exceeds Stargate SG-1's, and nearly matches Stargate SG-1's rating in the Females 21-34 group. While Farscape does lose a significant portion of Stargate SG-1's lead in for its 10PM airing, the demographic skew of the two programs explain most of that loss: the majority of Stargate SG-1's viewers are Males and Females in the 45-54 age group. Farscape's audience is younger.
Production
Costs versus Revenue Potential:
This is another complicated area. Make no mistake, Farscape
is not cheap to produce. According to Juliet Blake, president of
Henson TV in the US, in the CNN piece linked below, the average
episode costs USD1.5 million. Of that, SCI FI Channel pays about
half, or USD750,000. From the same CNN piece, Blake notes that
the overall production costs are much lower than genre shows Buffy
the Vampire Slayer or UPN's Enterprise.
Henson's and SCI FI's investments are leveraged by the lower
costs of production in Australia, and because of the strength of
the US dollar there.
But costs are only one-half of the equation. Can SCI FI generate enough revenue to pay for Farscape and scrape out some profit, too? Only SCI FI can answer that question; it depends on what is considered "adequate" profit. Outside looking in, however, it would seem that it should be possible, given that ratings have increased in spite of the change in time slot and lack of advertising support.
One last thing: SCI FI cited the "increasing cost" of production. Henson Co refutes that, stating that the price of the individual episodes only increased because SCI FI was asking for additional airing rights. Expecting Henson to forego this primary method of recouping their investment in the production is unreasonable.
Juliet Blake of Henson on CNN on
production costs
SCI FI's press release touting
improved summer ratings, "SCI FI Wraps Best Summer"
Henson's press release announcing SCI
FI's renewal for Seasons 4 and 5
4) Could another network pick up
Farscape?
Again,
another complicated question. Theoretically, yes, another network
could step in and rescue Farscape from oblivion.
However, the SCI FI Channel is the current licensor of the
series, and as such, they have control over the disposition of
the existing 88 episodes (four complete seasons, with the last 11
episodes of Season 4 as yet unaired) in the US.
The longer SCI FI holds onto these episodes, the more valuable they become. There is little incentive, and a lot of disincentive, to another network picking up Farscape for new episodes if they don't get the existing episodes, or at least a big chunk of them, as well.
SCI FI could sell their license to the existing episodes and presumably would do so if the price were right.
5) What's the current status?
The
sets, originally scheduled for destruction on
Wednesday, 11 September, are still intact as a
direct result of fan efforts; see The Sydney Telegraph's
He Could Hear Them Scream. Filming
wrapped on Tuesday, 10 September. Principal cast members and
effects crews continue post-production work on the final 11
episodes.
Showtime has expressed an interest in picking up the series; well-sourced media rumors say that UPN has also perked up its ears.
David Kemper announced in a chat in #farscape on September 10 that lines of communication had been re-opened. He wasn't specific, but the implication is that Henson/EMTV are once again speaking to SCI FI. There have been several informative and entertaining chats from cast and production crew members over the past week; check here for transcripts.
On 13 September, SCI FI posted a message on its Farscape page asking fans to direct their correspondance to the programming feedback mailbox, and to limit their telephone calls to the viewer feedback line. Anonymous sources within SCI FI's offices report that they are swamped by the outpouring of faxes, voicemails, and emails they are receiving.
An important meeting of SCI FI execs will take place in their New York offices on Monday, 16 September. The expectation is there will be a decision of sorts regarding the fate of the series.
6) What can I do to help?
Physical
correspondance is infinitely more valuable than electronic
communication. Express mail letters and telegrams top the list as
most impressive, followed by hand-written letters, typed letters,
and faxes in order of perceived significance by the networks.
Emails and voice mail messages are less valued, but still
important in that they keep the office hopping all day, not just
at mail delivery time. Signatures on online petitions are pretty
much meaningless to executives in their online form, but can
certainly look impressive when printed out and delivered as a
stack of paper resembling the New York City telephone directory.
There are many, many sites (Including this one) with excellent information on who to contact. This is just the briefest tip of the iceberg:
¤ Write to Michael. Jackson asking him to reconsider his decision to cancel Farscape, or if that is not possible, ask that he consider selling SCI FI's license to the existing episodes so that another network could pick it up. Emphasize that Farscape deserves the chance to finish the story it has spent four years laying out for us. Tell him who you are: your age, level of education, gender, and household income. (This is your demographic information.)
Michael Jackson
Chairman of the Universal Television Group
The SciFi Channel
1230 Avenue of the Americas, F115
New York, NY 10020-1513¤ On Saturday, 14 September, there a slight change in strategy was announced: stress that Farscape is what brings you to the SCI FI Channel, and that, as such, Farscape is an important advertiser for other SCI FI programs. Losing Farscape's core fanbase stands to hurt SCI FI's other program's ratings.
¤ Continue to send emails and voice mails to our contact list at SCI FI, as well as faxes, letters, and telegrams.
¤ Contact Showtime here and tell them you'll subscribe if they pick up Farscape, or, if you're already a subscriber, you'll be sure to tune in for all their scifi programming. Include your demographic data.
Showtime Networks
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019 USA Phone: +1 212-708-1600
Fax: +1 212-708-1217
Mathew C Blank (Chairman, CEO)
Frank Pintauro (Sr VP, Creative Director, Original Programming)¤ Write to UPN and encourage them to pick up Farscape. Stress how you'll watch more UPN (not just Farscape, but other UPN programming as well) if they do. Include your demographic information here, too.
United Paramount Network
11800 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: +1 310-575-7000
Fax: +1 310-575-7220
Fax: 1 310 575 7210
email: feedback@upn.com
7) I did that already. What should I
do now?
Good
for you! The most important thing we can do is keep the
pressure on.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Update! A new campaign was launched on Sunday, 15 September: "I am Farscape." Designed to increase visibility and put a face on Farscape fandom, these beautiful graphics are certain to attract attention. Click on over to Maayan's blog and read "The Super Monday To-Do List: I am Farscape" entry; click on the thumbnails to get the full-page version of the graphics. Not all of us can plaster Farscape posters in a major metropolitan area, but everyone can print out their favorite character, fill in the demographic information at the bottom, and express mail, fax, or snail mail it on over to Bonnie Hammer (President, The SCI FI Channel, 1230 Ave of the Americas, NY NY 10020, fax number: 212-413-6531).
SCI FI is counting on this furor dying down as the days and weeks proceed, but we can't let up or we won't get any satisfaction. If possible, send email, send faxes, and leave voicemail messages every day. What should you say? Here are some suggestions:
¤ Say you're writing/calling again because this is so important to you.
¤ Say you'll continue writing/calling every day (or often) until a decision on Farscape's disposition is made.
¤ Say good things about Farscape. Include quotes from recent media coverage praising the show, not insulting SCI FI's decision to cancel it. The more recent your quotes, the better. Check Save Farscape's media page for recent links.
¤ Don't lie. Good thing to say if true: "I haven't watched SCI FI Friday [or SCI FI at all] since Farscape went on hiatus."
¤ Always include your demographic information and real name.
¤ There is no shame in repeating yourself. This is an important issue, and you feel strongly enough to keep voicing your opinion about it. You can cut and paste your message(s) from the previous day if you like.
¤ It's better if you personally address each email you send out ("Dear Ms. Hammer...") However, if you want to send the same email to a group of addressees, that's OK, too, but do it correctly. Create a mailing list in your mail application. When sending your emails, send the mail TO yourself, and BCC ("blind carbon copy") your distribution list. Sometimes the "BCC" option only appears if you click on the "TO" address book button. Don't think that the recipients will think this is weird ("why is this person sending email to himself?"). It's accepted industry practice when you are sending mail to a confidential distribution list.
Other
things you can do:
¤ Print out flyers. Leave them with the
managers of your local bookstores, comics shops, and electronics
game shops for them to distribute. Businesses like this cater to
the scifi community and should be helpful to the cause.
Bookstores especially are good targets; scifi fan groups often
hold meetings at bookstores.
¤ Contact your local media and ask them to cover our campaign. The website e-advocates makes it easy: just type in your zip code, and it gives you all the info you need.
¤ Write to editors and publishers of any online newsletters to which you subscribe, asking if they'll support our cause with a simple blurb and a link back to Save Farscape. Given a reasonable request, most folks will say yes. People like to be helpful.
8) Should I boycott the SCI FI Channel
until they renew Farscape?
No.
Boycotts are a touchy subject. Barbarella, conveying the wishes of Farscape's production personnel, has asked that boycotts not be discussed in the #farscape chat room.
That said, networks look at ratings. If you stop watching SCI FI, will they even notice? Only if you're a Nielsen household. Nielsen Media Research collects all the ratings data, and tracks it a number of different ways, including "people meters" and log books. It's doubtful that a fan boycott would have much impact on ratings, simply because so few fans are members of Nielsen households.
At this point in the campaign, talks of boycotts are premature. If and when the time comes, there are ways to boycott effectively, which include letters to the network and its sponsors. If we continue our present efforts, we can hope it won't come to that.
9) Where can I go to get more frequent
updates?
FarscapeWeekly
will post weekly updates. For daily updates, check Save Farscape
Central and Save Farscape.
10) I'm in media and can help spread
the word. Who should I contact for more information?
Send
me an email with your
contact information (include a telephone number if you'd prefer)
and I'll hook you up with the right people.
11) Who is this Barbarella person in
the #farscape chat room?
Barbarella
is the moderator of the #farscape chat room on SCI FI's
irc.scifi.com chat server. That means she keeps it up and running
while fending off assaults from "trolls" and
"flooders". That's not her real job, and she doesn't
get any compensation for what she does in #farscape. She has a
real job in the real world, which she has apparently shelved for
now so as to devote her time to the Save Farscape campaign.
In addition to that, though, Barbarella is a long-time fan of Farscape and friend of the production staff. She communicates directly with David Kemper and his cohorts. Any "announcements" she makes have been vetted by the production crew. Barbarella is the main conduit through which Farscape personel can reach the online community of fans. Since the news broke, Barb has been facilitating daily chats with cast and crew members; transcripts of these entertaining and informative sessions can be found at NoIdea.US's Farscape site and at other sites around the web.
Quote of the Week:
"Hope, D'Argo. It's what keeps you
going.[...] I have hope or nothing."
--
Crichton, "Look at the Princess, part 2: I do, I think"
Free Cool Stuff
This
week, LOTS of morale-boosters for 'Scapers everywhere.
First, our Save'Scape campaign now has a theme song! Have a listen to Brian McAdams' classic Blues work, Farscape Blues, highlighted in the left-hand column. I particularly like the extended version.
Scaper cartoonist Todd Michael's Boarders and Sister weighs in with an amusing and true-to-life portrayal of 'Scapers in this toon.
Tachyon TV has devoted its entire recent issue to Farscape's cancellation. Be sure to read the "crawls" underneath the main banner. My favorite? "Jimmy Carter sent to Henson/SCI FI Channel negotiations", although, "The SCI FI Channel putting the psychotic back in sci-fi" is a close second. Many thanks to editor/publisher Neil Perryman for his quick coverage of the news and dedication to the cause.
Last but not least, click on over and be counted on the Farscape Fanscape Enumarator, a collection of demographic data of Farscape viewers. No cheating!
Have you found some free cool stuff? Do you have some free cool stuff you'd like to share? Send an eMail!
Ratings
time series charts of first airing ratings for all 4 seasons
Updated
through 4.11 "Unrealized Reality" (23 August 02)
First airing ratings for all 4 seasons
(ratings
are share of SCI FI's total households)