Thomas Vitale
Moderator: Hello everyone and welcome. Tonight
we have a full chat schedule. Right now we have in our chat room
Thomas Vitale.
Moderator: Thomas is Senior Vice President of
Acquisitions, Scheduling, and Program Planning at SCI FI. He's been
with the channel since early '93, joining only a few months after
SCI FI launched. He's worked with the team here to help the channel
grow from a small network with only older product, to its current
status as a network with more and more original fare.
Moderator: Thomas knows the value of connecting
with the audience, and he asked us to schedule this chat so SCI FI
viewers could get to know the programmers here a bit better.
Questions about upcoming original products, current favorite series,
and classic movies and series will all be fair game during this
chat, though we can't promise that we'll have time to answer every
question prior to the start of our chat with DUNE prequel author
KEVIN J. ANDERSON.
Moderator: Weclome, we are chatting with Thoman
Vitale, Thomas is Senior Vice President of Acquisitions, Scheduling,
and Program Planning at SCI FI.
Moderator: Thomas, are you there?
Thomas-Vitale: I'm
here!
Moderator: Great.
Thomas-Vitale: Hi everyone.
Glad to be here. Thanks for coming!
Moderator: let start the questions.
Moderator: <InvisibleStarvedChocobo> Mr.
Vitale, many people here have Invisible in front of their names, as
you've undoubtedly noticed. This is in response to disturbing news
about The Invisible Man, mainly that the future of the show is in
serious jeopardy, and was actually cancelled briefly. We are all
wondering, will I-Man be renewed for a third season?
Thomas-Vitale: Ahhh... I
knew that would be the first question of the evening...
Thomas-Vitale: I'm an
Invisible Man fan myself, and I think the show gets stronger with
every episode.
Thomas-Vitale: We are in the
process of figuring out next year's full schedule and IMan is on the
list of strong contenders.
Thomas-Vitale:
Unfortunately, I don't have a firm answer today, but we are hopeful
that it will be back.
Thomas-Vitale: The issue is
for Sci Fi and for syndication too, where the show is also seen (on
local stations), so the decision is not entirely in Sci Fi's hands
on this one...
Thomas-Vitale: As soon as we
know what the resolution will be and the timing, we'll let you know
through the site.
Moderator: <The> How much funding does it
take for a show to be kept on tv (ie The Sentinel)
Thomas-Vitale: Lots!
Thomas-Vitale: These days,
shows are funded internationally and domestically.
Thomas-Vitale: An hour drama
for Sci Fi costs well north of one million per ep
Moderator: <MissingSliderRyan> Mr. Vitale,
thank you for taking time to chat with us. Can you explain why
Sliders was taken off the
Thomas-Vitale: Ratings had
gone down after the Jerry O'Connell exited the show.
Moderator: Send any questions you have to the
Moderator with /msg Moderator or simply
Moderator: double-click on the Moderator's name
in the list of names on the right
Moderator: side of their screen.
Moderator: <Doretta78> Are all of our
letters, phone calls helping the process? Should we be sending
questions, etc. to other areas of programming as well as SciFi?
Thomas-Vitale: They do
count.
Thomas-Vitale: We read the
letters and forward to best ones around (not the nasty ones!
:-)
Thomas-Vitale: We also keep
track of the numbers sent on different shows.
Thomas-Vitale: It helps when
we go to corporate to argue for more money for shows.
Thomas-Vitale: It was fun
getting all the keys for Prey!
Thomas-Vitale: Did everyone
see the Prey crossover on IMan a coupla weeks ago?
Moderator: <CrusadeMichael> Thank you for
giving a home to the B5 universe through reruns and "Rangers"... I'd
like to know if there's hope for a resurrection of the original
spinoff, Crusade, which many of us are fans of
Thomas-Vitale: B5 Rangers is
where JMS is focusing right now. If the movie does really well,
there's a chance it can go to series. Inside of that series, some of
the Crusade issues could be dealt with. Again, we won't know if it's
going to
Thomas-Vitale: series until
we see the viewer reaction.
Thomas-Vitale: Rangers is
currently skedded for
Thomas-Vitale: January
2002
Thomas-Vitale: While we're
waiting for the next q to be sent my way,
Thomas-Vitale: I'd like to
hype this Saturday's movie -- Soulkeeper
Thomas-Vitale: This flick is
really fun.
Thomas-Vitale: It stars
Rodney Rowland and Kevin Patrick Walls
Thomas-Vitale: from 6th Day
and Blade.
Thomas-Vitale: Also features
genre faves like Karen Black and Robert Davi and Tiny Lister
and
Thomas-Vitale: Brad
Dourif.
Thomas-Vitale: Debbie Gibson
has a fun cameo
Thomas-Vitale: this Sat at
9P
Thomas-Vitale: Every one
e-mail and letter adds up.
Thomas-Vitale: When Dark
Shadows was pulled for one year
Thomas-Vitale: we got over
three thousand letters
Thomas-Vitale: the letters
were why we returned DS to the station
Moderator: <RangerKoshN> To publicize the
upcoming Babylon 5 - Legend of the Rangers Movie, why doesn't Sci-Fi
enlist the help of the Babylon 5/Crusade fans, by providing some
inside-the-window decals and/or bumperstickers? That could reach
people who don't currently have Sci-Fi. Might pick up some
subscribers.
Thomas-Vitale: our marketing
group is looking
Thomas-Vitale: for some
grass roots ways for fans
Thomas-Vitale: to help
promote B5
Thomas-Vitale: our web group
is looking into the same
Thomas-Vitale: i agree --
the best people to push rangers are
Thomas-Vitale: the committed
fans of the b5 uni
Thomas-Vitale: watch this
space for how you can help
Moderator: <weirdfi> How hard did you work
on getting 'Enterprise' before UPN got it? What happened with the
ST:TNG thing? It seems to me that SCIFI channel isn't really getting
any of the big new scifi. :-( (andromeda, enterprise, etc.)
Thomas-Vitale: good
question!
Thomas-Vitale: there's a
long, boring answer to this, but I'll try to be quick...
Thomas-Vitale: it's about
what company owns what network...
Thomas-Vitale: UPN is owned
by Paramount.
Thomas-Vitale: Paramount
owns the star trek world
Thomas-Vitale: Enterprise is
good for UPN which is good for Paramount...
Thomas-Vitale: we chase
every big
Thomas-Vitale: show we can,
but sometimes
Thomas-Vitale: business
considerations get in the way...
Moderator: <InternetJunkie> Mr. Vitale,
Prey Fans want to thank you airing Prey so often. Will you continue
to air it?
Thomas-Vitale: Yup. Prey
will continue to run from time to time. Too bad that series didn't
make it on ABC... It
Thomas-Vitale: was getting
really interesting when it was pulled
Moderator: <ala> Given the significant
decreases in ad revenue in the last 6+ months for all Networks, how
has this affected SCI-FI's business strategy, in general, and,
particularly it's original programming acquisition strategy? Can you
give us some insights into the strategic business strategy, in
general?
Thomas-Vitale: Wow! Some
question! :-)
Thomas-Vitale: We just spent
a few days in meetings on this question.
Thomas-Vitale: the ad market
is tough this year for all networks
Thomas-Vitale: that said,
Sci Fi has been planning for it.
Thomas-Vitale: We have a lot
of original programming
Thomas-Vitale: for
2002.
Thomas-Vitale: Farscape is
returning with the final 4 eps
Thomas-Vitale: of season
3
Thomas-Vitale: plus two more
seasons after that.
Thomas-Vitale: Lexx, The
Chronicle, Outer Limits
Thomas-Vitale: are all
coming back with more originals too
Thomas-Vitale: We also have
an original
Thomas-Vitale: Firestarter
miniseries in March 2002
Thomas-Vitale: A sequel
movie to Interceptor Force
Thomas-Vitale: Puppetmaster
vs. Demonic Toys --- for some fun horror in 02
Thomas-Vitale: A Lord of the
Rings special on December 9th
Thomas-Vitale: and a new
season of Stargate -- for Sci Fi, not Showtime
Thomas-Vitale: And there's
other original stuff too.
Thomas-Vitale: So, no matter
what happens with the economy
Thomas-Vitale: Sci Fi will
have a ton of originals next year
Thomas-Vitale: and some
acquired series from other networks too!
Moderator: <tillia> Here's a Lexx
question--which by the way is the most fascinating show not just on
SciFi but on TV--when the new eps start in January will you show
them all the way through or is another hiatus coming?
Thomas-Vitale: We will most
likely show the Lexx eps all the way through this time
Thomas-Vitale: These
upcoming eps are the best they've done so far
Thomas-Vitale: Lexx is one
of the strangest shows on tv, which makes it perfect for Sci
Fi
Thomas-Vitale: I mean...
what other network would do Lexx?
Thomas-Vitale: I'm glad you
like the series!
Thomas-Vitale: Please stand
by... another question coming...
Moderator: <Eternal> Most fans don't write
letters directly to the show or the station. Do you ever visit the
websites put up by fans to see what they like about the show or what
direction they'd like a character or story to take?
Moderator: <CrusadeMartin> Q: Why was the
sequence of Earth: Final Conflict interrupted and Tale from the
Crypt subed? When will EFC return to SciFi?
Thomas-Vitale: good question
and I'm glad you asked it...
Thomas-Vitale: We put efc on
at 10PM
Thomas-Vitale: we thought
that was the perfect time for it
Thomas-Vitale: we were
wrong
Thomas-Vitale: the show got
low ratings at 10P
Thomas-Vitale: it could be
because 10P isn't the right time for efc viewers
Thomas-Vitale: or maybe we
premiered it at the wrong time of year
Thomas-Vitale: I wish i knew
that answer...
Thomas-Vitale: that said
--
Thomas-Vitale: EFC is
definitely coming back to SCI FI
Thomas-Vitale: When we bring
it back, we will start from ep 1 again
Thomas-Vitale: since the
show is sequential
Thomas-Vitale: i don't have
the exact date
Thomas-Vitale: but it will
be back within the first
Thomas-Vitale: few months of
02
Thomas-Vitale: I wish we
didn't have to pull it
Thomas-Vitale: but when we
bring it back, it will stay on the air
Moderator: <I-ManNickChick> Will Sci-Fi
ever continue original programming through the fall without taking
four month hiatuses?
Thomas-Vitale: the fall is a
tough time
Thomas-Vitale: for cable
nets
Thomas-Vitale: all of the
network premieres and all
Thomas-Vitale: however,
we're beginning to think that ducking the fall season
Thomas-Vitale: might not be
the best strategy
Thomas-Vitale: which is why
we have original product
Thomas-Vitale: this fall --
like Soulkeeper this Saturday
Thomas-Vitale: and the
original movie Epoch on
Thomas-Vitale: November
24th
Thomas-Vitale: Epoch stars
David Keith and Ryan O'Neal and James Hong
Thomas-Vitale: and is a good
alien-action flick.
Thomas-Vitale: If Soulkeeper
and Epoch do well
Thomas-Vitale: this
fall,
Thomas-Vitale: then we know
that originals will work for
Thomas-Vitale: us in the
fall.
Thomas-Vitale: If they do,
then we'll have more originals next
Thomas-Vitale: fall,
including original series.
Moderator: <Eternal> Most fans don't write
letters directly to the show or the station. Do you ever visit the
websites put up by fans to see what they like about the show or what
direction they'd like a character or story to take?
Thomas-Vitale: I do read fan
websites, as do the show producers and the other programmers and
marketers here...
Thomas-Vitale: I know that
David Kemper (Farscape) and Chris Brancato (First Wave)
Thomas-Vitale: do read the
sites.
Thomas-Vitale: We also read
what's posted about Sci Fi's
Thomas-Vitale: programming
on other sites...
Thomas-Vitale: complaints
and compliments.
Thomas-Vitale: So yes, web
chat is important.
Moderator: <prion> - What input, creative
or financial, will SCI FI have in the 6th season of STARGATE? I've
read that there will be at least one new character due to the
departure of Michael Shanks.
Thomas-Vitale: Both creative
and financial.
Thomas-Vitale: We are
helping to fund that season,
Thomas-Vitale: which is why
we are getting the eps before any other channel.
Thomas-Vitale: When you help
fund a series, you have some creative input.
Thomas-Vitale: that said,
the Stargate team
Thomas-Vitale: is so good at
what they do
Thomas-Vitale: and are
making such a strong series
Thomas-Vitale: that the best
thing Sci Fi can do,
Thomas-Vitale: is step to
the side and let
Thomas-Vitale: the Stargate
team do what they do
Thomas-Vitale: We bought the
series because we like it and
Thomas-Vitale: have such
confidence in the team.
Thomas-Vitale: We can't wait
for its premiere (probably June 02).
Moderator: <InvisibleHei-Mao> Is there any
chance that anime movies will return to Sci-Fi scheduling?
Thomas-Vitale: Anime! I
wish... but probably not...
Thomas-Vitale: I was the guy
who bought the anime movies we used to air.
Thomas-Vitale: I'm a big fan
of anime and pushed to have it on Sci Fi.
Thomas-Vitale: When we first
aired anime, we were the only channel airing it.
Thomas-Vitale: We got lots
of attention in the press
Thomas-Vitale: and some
decent ratings
Thomas-Vitale: Then, other
networks started airing it
Thomas-Vitale: the best
stuff was on video first
Thomas-Vitale: and the
viewers stopped coming in
Thomas-Vitale: meaningful
numbers.
Thomas-Vitale: So, we don't
air anime anymore
Thomas-Vitale: and probably
won't for a few years... :-(
Moderator: <MarquisDsad> Here's a ratings
question, since the word comes up a lot: What exactly goes into a
show's "ratings"? I see number for shows in newspapers put up the
same week the show is broadcast. Where does the data come from, and
how big of a sample of the USA's population is considered in this?
I'm really concerned about this 'system', since everyone's favorite
shows depend on it. Thanks. :)
Thomas-Vitale: Ratings --
the holy grail of the biz!
Thomas-Vitale: There's a
four hour answer, and a shorter answer...
Thomas-Vitale: let's go for
the shorter answer...
Thomas-Vitale: A show's
rating is the % of people (or households) in America watching that
show.
Thomas-Vitale: A show's
share is the percentage of people watching tv at a given moment who
are watching that show.
Thomas-Vitale: So a 10
rating and 18 share means
Thomas-Vitale: that 10% of
all households in the US
Thomas-Vitale: are watching
a show
Thomas-Vitale: and that 18%
of all households with the tv turned on
Thomas-Vitale: are watching
that show
Thomas-Vitale: The numbers
are collected by Nielsen
Thomas-Vitale: who have phd
statisticians'
Thomas-Vitale: working on
them
Thomas-Vitale: Nielsen
numbers are generally
Thomas-Vitale: accurate
within 5% or so -- there's been
Thomas-Vitale: independent
test of the Nielsen numbers
Thomas-Vitale: and its
pretty accurate
Thomas-Vitale: not perfect,
but pretty good...
Thomas-Vitale: Watch Sci Fi
-- make our ratings higher!!! :-))
Thomas-Vitale: New question
coming soon...
Thomas-Vitale: or so I'm
told by the moderator...
Moderator: <TSteddy123> Does it impress
the advertisers if they are written personally , maybe even enough
for them to support a certain show????
Thomas-Vitale: Depends on
the company.
Thomas-Vitale: some
advertisers are very clued into the viewers
Thomas-Vitale: others
aren't.
Thomas-Vitale: Letters never
hurt.
Thomas-Vitale: Sometimes
they help.
Thomas-Vitale: And again,
Sci Fi reads letters sent to it
Thomas-Vitale: though we
don't have the staff to answer the letters.
Thomas-Vitale: But we do
consider them.
Thomas-Vitale: All of
them.
Moderator: <invisiblepipsqueak> OK, here's
an easy question: did you guys get the cookies we sent in support of
Iman ... or did the mailroom guys snag 'em? ;-)
Thomas-Vitale: Ahhh...
VIEWER FOOD!!!
Thomas-Vitale: There's
always a debate here about whether or not
Thomas-Vitale: to eat viewer
food...
Thomas-Vitale: But we always
do eat the food
Thomas-Vitale: or at least
the cookies.
Thomas-Vitale: They were
good! We also got some brownies recently that were good.
Moderator: <Paine> Has the recent influx
of Horror programming been to fill slots since most shows are on
hiatus between seasons? Or is this going to be a standard trend of
Scifi to increase the percentage of programming with horror genre?
Thomas-Vitale: We are not
making a distinct effort to go
Thomas-Vitale: more towards
horror
Thomas-Vitale: Horror,
fantasy, the supernatural, etc.
Thomas-Vitale: are all
part
Thomas-Vitale: of our genre
-- all subgenres
Thomas-Vitale: Sometimes the
programming is dictated by
Thomas-Vitale: what's
available
Thomas-Vitale: other times
by our need to
Thomas-Vitale: give viewers
a diversity of selection
Thomas-Vitale: For every sf
fan, there's a horror fan
Thomas-Vitale: So we try to
embrace all genre fans.
Thomas-Vitale: If it feels
like the channel is more horror
Thomas-Vitale:
lately,
Thomas-Vitale: in a couple
of months it
Thomas-Vitale: might feel
more sf.
Thomas-Vitale: It's
cyclical.
Thomas-Vitale: October is a
big horror month for us, though.
Thomas-Vitale: Halloween and
all...
Thomas-Vitale: More sf
coming
Moderator: <Nivek62> Will First Wave
re--air in re-runs any time soon?
Thomas-Vitale: First Wave
will start stripping in the 1st or 2nd quarter of 02
Thomas-Vitale: "Stripping"
-- tv lingo for running 4 or 5 days per week at the same time
period
Moderator: <MaryFX> Another First Wave
question. Any chance of a First Wave movie sponsored by Sci-Fi?
Thomas-Vitale: We look at
movie possibilities for all
Thomas-Vitale: known science
fiction properties.
Thomas-Vitale: That's why we
are doing the Firestarter sequel miniseries next March.
Thomas-Vitale: First Wave
(and others) all remain possibilities.
Thomas-Vitale: Though,
sometimes it's hard to get
Thomas-Vitale: the original
cast and crew together.
Thomas-Vitale: But, yes, it
is a possibility down the road.
Moderator: <Jeanne1> What most influenced
Sci-Fi to do the Iman/Prey Cross-Over Episode?
Thomas-Vitale:
KEYS!!!
Thomas-Vitale: Seriously,
after getting hundreds of
Thomas-Vitale: "Let Tom Out
of the Cage" letters (and keys)
Thomas-Vitale: from
fans
Thomas-Vitale: we knew we
had to do something.
Thomas-Vitale: Since Vince
Ventresca was the star of
Thomas-Vitale: IMan,
Thomas-Vitale: and there
wasn't a chance to
Thomas-Vitale: do a Prey
movie in the foreseeable future,
Thomas-Vitale: and since we
wanted to satisfy the fans
Thomas-Vitale: who sent the
hundreds of keys
Thomas-Vitale: and thousands
of letters
Thomas-Vitale: the idea hit
us here in NY
Thomas-Vitale: to do a
crossover with Prey and IMan.
Thomas-Vitale: So, you see
-- fan involvement
Thomas-Vitale: does
influence programming.
Moderator: We are going to have to wrap it up
soon. Well take a few more questions
Moderator: <tina-als-girl> Mr. Vitale, are
there any plans for reviving Quantum Leap?
Moderator: We lost Thomas.
Moderator: I'm trying to get him back
Moderator: Sorry folks, but we can't get Thomas
back on...
Moderator: Someone flooded the channel and he
got bounced
Moderator: We have to end this chat because it
is time to Chat with...
Moderator: Kevin J. Anderson
Moderator: Thomas will be back in a few months
to do this again
Moderator: he thanks you all for coming.
Moderator: Please stick around foe Keven J
Anderson, Author of Dune: House Corrino
|