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List of programs broadcast by Syfy
View on WikipediaThe following is a list of TV programs for the American channel Syfy, including both original and acquired programming.
Current programming
[edit]The following programs first aired in their entirety or had specific seasons on American Syfy channel. Programs running on the present schedule are listed below.[1]
Drama
[edit]| Title | Genre | Premiere | Seasons | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ark | Science fiction drama | February 1, 2023 | 2 seasons, 24 episodes | Renewed[2] |
Co-productions
[edit]| Title | Genre | Partner/Country | Premiere | Seasons | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SurrealEstate | Supernatural drama | CTV Sci-Fi Channel/Canada | July 16, 2021 | 3 seasons, 30 episodes | Pending |
| Revival | Supernatural drama | CTV Sci-Fi Channel/Canada | June 12, 2025 | 1 season, 10 episodes | Pending |
Former programming
[edit]
Drama
[edit]| Title | Genre | Original broadcast | Seasons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mission Genesis | Space opera | 1997 | 1 season, 13 episodes | |
| Sliders (seasons 4–5) | Science fiction fantasy drama | 1998–2000 | 2 seasons, 40 episodes | Previously aired on Fox for seasons 1–3. |
| First Wave | Science fiction | 1998–2001 | 3 seasons, 66 episodes | Co-production with Space. |
| Farscape | Science fiction | 1999–2003 | 4 seasons, 88 episodes | Co-production with Nine Network. |
| Poltergeist: The Legacy (season 4) | Supernatural horror drama | 1999 | 1 season, 22 episodes | Previously aired on Showtime for seasons 1–3. |
| Lexx | Science fiction | 2000–02 | 4 seasons, 61 episodes | Acquired from Citytv. |
| Black Scorpion | Superhero drama | 2001 | 1 season, 22 episodes | |
| The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne | Science fiction | 2001 | 1 season, 22 episodes | Acquired from CBC. |
| The Chronicle | Science fiction | 2001–02 | 1 season, 22 episodes | |
| Stargate SG-1 (seasons 6–10) | Action-adventure military science fiction drama | 2002–07 | 5 seasons, 104 episodes | Previously aired on Showtime for seasons 1–5. |
| Stargate Atlantis | Action-adventure military science fiction drama | 2004–09 | 5 seasons, 100 episodes | |
| Andromeda (season 5) | Science fiction | 2004–05 | 1 season, 22 episodes | Previously aired via syndication for seasons 1–4. |
| Battlestar Galactica | Military science fiction drama | 2004–09 | 4 seasons, 76 episodes | Co-production with Sky One. |
| Doctor Who (seasons 1–4) | Science fiction | 2006–08 | 4 seasons, 55 episodes | Acquired from BBC One. Moved to BBC America for seasons 5–13, and then moved to Disney+ for season 14 onward. |
| The Dresden Files | Dark fantasy mystery drama | 2007 | 1 season, 12 episodes | |
| Painkiller Jane | Superhero drama | 2007 | 1 season, 22 episodes | Co-production with Global. |
| Flash Gordon | Action-adventure comedy drama | 2007–08 | 1 season, 22 episodes | |
| Charlie Jade | Science fiction | 2008 | 1 season, 20 episodes | Acquired from Space. |
| Sanctuary | Science fiction fantasy drama | 2008–11 | 4 seasons, 59 episodes | Continuation of the web series of the same name. Co-production with Space. |
| Warehouse 13 | Science fiction mystery drama | 2009–14 | 5 seasons, 64 episodes | |
| Stargate Universe | Action-adventure military science fiction drama | 2009–11 | 2 seasons, 40 episodes | |
| Caprica | Science fiction | 2010 | 1 season, 19 episodes | |
| Merlin (seasons 2–5) | Fantasy adventure drama | 2010–13 | 4 seasons, 52 episodes | Also known as The Adventures of Merlin. Acquired from BBC One. Previously aired on NBC for season 1. |
| Haven | Supernatural drama | 2010–15 | 5 seasons, 78 episodes | Co-production with Showcase. |
| Being Human | Supernatural comedy drama | 2011–14 | 4 seasons, 52 episodes | Co-production with Space. |
| Alphas | Superhero drama | 2011–12 | 2 seasons, 24 episodes | Formerly known as Section 8. |
| Lost Girl | Supernatural drama | 2012–16 | 5 seasons, 77 episodes | Acquired from Showcase. |
| Defiance | Science fiction Western drama | 2013–15 | 3 seasons, 38 episodes | |
| Continuum | Science fiction | 2013–15 | 4 seasons, 42 episodes | Acquired from Showcase. |
| Primeval: New World | Science fiction | 2013 | 1 season, 13 episodes | Acquired from Space. |
| Sinbad | Action-adventure fantasy drama | 2013 | 1 season, 12 episodes | Acquired from Sky One. |
| Helix | Science fiction horror drama | 2014–15 | 2 seasons, 26 episodes | |
| Bitten | Supernatural fantasy drama | 2014–16 | 3 seasons, 33 episodes | Acquired from Space. |
| Dominion | Apocalyptic fantasy drama | 2014–15 | 2 seasons, 21 episodes | |
| Z Nation | Horror drama | 2014–18 | 5 seasons, 68 episodes | |
| 12 Monkeys | Science fiction mystery drama | 2015–18 | 4 seasons, 47 episodes | |
| Olympus | Fantasy | 2015 | 1 season, 13 episodes | Acquired from Super Channel. |
| Dark Matter | Space opera | 2015–17 | 3 seasons, 39 episodes | Acquired from Space. |
| Killjoys | Action-adventure science fiction drama | 2015–19 | 5 seasons, 50 episodes | Co-production with Space (seasons 1–4) and CTV Sci-Fi Channel (season 5). |
| The Expanse (seasons 1–3) | Science fiction | 2015–18 | 3 seasons, 36 episodes | Later revived by Amazon Prime Video for seasons 4–6. |
| The Magicians | Fantasy | 2015–20 | 5 seasons, 65 episodes | |
| Wynonna Earp | Supernatural Weird Western drama | 2016–21 | 4 seasons, 49 episodes | Co-production with Space (seasons 1–3) and CTV Sci-Fi Channel (season 4). |
| Hunters | Science fiction mystery thriller | 2016 | 1 season, 13 episodes | |
| Van Helsing | Fantasy horror drama | 2016–21 | 5 seasons, 65 episodes | |
| Aftermath | Science fiction | 2016 | 1 season, 13 episodes | Co-production with Space. |
| Incorporated | Science fiction | 2016–17 | 1 season, 10 episodes | |
| Blood Drive | Science fiction action drama | 2017 | 1 season, 13 episodes | Also known as Midnight Grindhouse Presents: Blood Drive. |
| Ghost Wars | Supernatural action drama | 2017–18 | 1 season, 13 episodes | |
| Superstition | Supernatural horror | 2017–18 | 1 season, 12 episodes | |
| Krypton | Superhero drama | 2018–19 | 2 seasons, 20 episodes | |
| Nightflyers | Science fiction horror drama | 2018 | 1 season, 10 episodes | Co-production with Netflix. |
| Deadly Class | Action teen drama | 2019 | 1 season, 10 episodes | |
| Vagrant Queen | Space Western | 2020 | 1 season, 10 episodes | |
| Day of the Dead | Horror drama | 2021 | 1 season, 10 episodes |
Comedy
[edit]| Title | Genre | Original broadcast | Seasons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mystery Science Theater 3000 (seasons 8–10) | Science fiction comedy | 1997–99 | 3 seasons, 38 episodes | Previously aired on multiple other channels for seasons 1–7. Later revived by Netflix for seasons 11–12, and revived again by Gizmoplex starting with season 13 onward. |
| Good vs. Evil (season 2) | Supernatural comedy | 2000 | 1 seasons, 11 episodes | Also known as G vs. E. Previously aired on USA Network for season 1. |
| The Invisible Man | Superhero action comedy | 2000–02 | 2 seasons, 46 episodes | Also known as The I-Man. |
| Tremors | Science fiction horror comedy | 2003 | 1 season, 13 episodes | |
| Eureka | Science fiction comedy drama | 2006–12 | 5 seasons, 77 episodes | |
| Garth Marenghi's Darkplace | Horror parody | 2006 | 1 season, 6 episodes | Acquired from Channel 4. |
| Outer Space Astronauts | Science fiction comedy | 2009 | 1 season, 5 episodes | |
| The Almighty Johnsons (seasons 1–2) | Fantasy comedy drama | 2014 | 2 seasons, 23 episodes | Acquired from TV3. Only the first two seasons were broadcast on Syfy. |
| Con Man (season 1) | Comedy | 2017 | 1 season, 6 episodes | Acquired from Vimeo. Only the first season was broadcast on Syfy. |
| Happy! | Black comedy action thriller | 2017–19 | 2 seasons, 18 episodes | |
| The Movie Show | Comedy | 2020–21 | 1 season, 12 episodes | |
| Resident Alien | Mystery science fiction comedy drama | 2021–25 | 4 seasons, 44 episodes | Co-production with USA Network (season 4) |
| Chucky | Slasher comedy drama | 2021–24 | 3 seasons, 24 episodes | Co-production with USA Network. |
| Astrid & Lilly Save the World | Supernatural teen comedy drama | 2022 | 1 season, 10 episodes | Co-production with CTV Sci-Fi Channel |
| Reginald the Vampire | Supernatural comedy drama | 2022–24 | 2 seasons, 20 episodes |
Anthology
[edit]| Title | Genre | Original broadcast | Seasons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome to Paradox | Science fiction drama | 1998 | 1 season, 13 episodes | |
| Exposure | Science fiction | 2000–02 | 2 seasons, 42 episodes | |
| The Outer Limits (1995 series) (season 7) | Science fiction horror | 2001–02 | 1 season, 22 episodes | Previously aired on Showtime for seasons 1–6. |
| Métal Hurlant Chronicles | Science fiction fantasy drama | 2014 | 2 seasons, 12 episodes | Acquired from France 4. |
| Channel Zero | Supernatural horror drama | 2016–18 | 4 seasons, 24 episodes |
Miniseries
[edit]Adult animation
[edit]| Title | Genre | Original broadcast | Seasons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tripping the Rift | Science fiction comedy | 2004–07 | 3 seasons, 39 episodes | |
| Alien News Desk | Science fiction comedy | 2019 | 1 season, 12 episodes | |
| Science! | Science fiction comedy | 2019 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Magical Girl Friendship Squad: Origins | Fantasy comedy | 2020 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Dr. Havoc's Diary | Superhero comedy | 2020 | 1 season, 30 episodes | Acquired from Fullscreen. |
| Magical Girl Friendship Squad | Fantasy comedy | 2020 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Wild Life | Post-apocalyptic comedy | 2020 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Hell Den (season 2) | Post-apocalyptic sketch comedy | 2020 | 1 season, 6 episodes | Previously aired on DrinkTV for season 1. |
| Devil May Care | Supernatural comedy | 2021 | 1 season, 7 episodes | |
| The Pole | Fantasy comedy | 2021 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| The Summoner | Science fiction comedy | 2021 | 1 season, 10 episodes |
Unscripted
[edit]Docuseries
[edit]| Title | Genre | Original broadcast | Seasons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sightings (season 5) | Paranormal docuseries | 1996–98 | 1 season, 26 episodes | Previously aired on Fox for seasons 1–2 and via syndication for seasons 3–4. |
| In Search of... (season 7) | Paranormal docuseries | 2002 | 1 season, 8 episodes | Also known as Great Mysteries of the World. Previously aired via syndication for seasons 1–6. Later revived by History for seasons 8–9. |
| Beast Legends | Docuseries | 2010 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Legend Quest | Travel docuseries | 2011 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| School Spirits | Paranormal docuseries | 2012 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Weird or What? (seasons 2–3) | Docuseries | 2013–14 | 2 seasons, 20 episodes | Previously aired on Discovery Channel for season 1. |
| Town of the Living Dead | Docuseries | 2014 | 1 season, 12 episodes | |
| Bazillion Dollar Club | Docuseries | 2015 | 1 season, 1 episode (5 episodes unaired) | Six episodes were filmed but the series was pulled after the first episode. |
| The Internet Ruined My Life | Docuseries | 2016 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Looking for Leia | Docuseries | 2019 | 1 season, 7 episodes |
Game shows
[edit]| Title | Genre | Original Broadcast | Seasons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Blackout | Game show | 2012–13 | 2 seasons, 24 episodes | |
| Exit | Game show | 2013 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Geeks Who Drink | Game show/Reality competition | 2015 | 1 season, 12 episodes |
Reality
[edit]| Title | Genre | Original broadcast | Seasons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crossing Over with John Edward | Reality | 2000–04 | 4 seasons, 99 episodes | |
| Scare Tactics | Reality | 2003–13 | 5 seasons, 114 episodes | Later revived by USA Network for season 5 |
| Mad Mad House | Reality competition | 2004 | 1 season, 8 episodes | |
| Ghost Hunters (seasons 1–11) | Paranormal reality | 2004–16 | 11 seasons, 230 episodes | Later revived by A&E for seasons 12–13. Moved again to Discovery+ for season 14. Moved again to the Travel Channel for season 15 onward. |
| Proof Positive | Paranormal reality | 2004 | 1 season, 10 episodes | |
| Psychic at Large | Reality | 2006 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Who Wants to Be a Superhero? | Reality competition | 2006–07 | 2 seasons, 14 episodes | |
| Sci Fi Investigates | Reality | 2006 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Destination Truth | Paranormal reality/Travel | 2007–12 | 5 seasons, 55 episodes | Also known as The Monster Hunter. |
| Mind Control with Derren Brown | Reality | 2007 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Guinea Pig (season 1) | Reality | 2008 | 1 season, 6 episodes | Acquired from Discovery Channel. Only the first season was broadcast on Syfy. |
| Ghost Hunters International | Paranormal reality/Travel | 2008–12 | 3 seasons, 62 episodes | |
| Cha$e | Reality competition | 2008 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Estate of Panic | Reality competition | 2008 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| WCG Ultimate Gamer | Reality competition | 2009–10 | 2 seasons, 16 episodes | |
| Ghost Hunters Academy | Paranormal reality | 2009–10 | 1 season, 12 episodes | |
| Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files | Paranormal reality | 2010–12 | 2 seasons, 36 episodes | |
| Mary Knows Best | Docusoap/Reality | 2010 | 1 season, 4 episodes (2 episodes unaired) | Six episodes were filmed but the series was pulled after four episodes. |
| Hollywood Treasure | Reality | 2010–12 | 2 seasons, 30 episodes | |
| Face Off | Reality competition | 2011–18 | 13 seasons, 160 episodes | |
| Marcel's Quantum Kitchen | Cooking show/Reality | 2011 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Haunted Collector | Paranormal reality | 2011–13 | 3 seasons, 30 episodes | |
| Paranormal Witness | Paranormal reality | 2011–16 | 5 seasons, 64 episodes | |
| Monster Man | Reality | 2012 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Dream Machines | Reality | 2012 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Insane or Inspired? | Reality | 2012 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Haunted Highway | Paranormal reality | 2012–13 | 2 seasons, 12 episodes | |
| Collection Intervention | Reality | 2012 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Hot Set | Reality competition | 2012 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Deals from the Darkside | Reality | 2012 | 1 season, 13 episodes | |
| Viral Video Showdown | Reality competition | 2012 | 1 season, 8 episodes | |
| Ghost Mine | Paranormal reality | 2013 | 2 seasons, 18 episodes | |
| Robot Combat League | Reality competition | 2013 | 1 season, 9 episodes | |
| Stranded | Paranormal reality | 2013 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Deep South Paranormal | Paranormal reality | 2013 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Joe Rogan Questions Everything | Reality | 2013 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Heroes of Cosplay | Reality competition | 2013–14 | 2 seasons, 12 episodes | |
| Naked Vegas | Reality | 2013 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Fangasm | Reality competition | 2013 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Killer Contact | Paranormal reality/Travel | 2013 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Opposite Worlds | Reality competition | 2014 | 1 season, 12 episodes | |
| Haunting: Australia | Paranormal reality | 2014 | 1 season, 8 episodes | |
| Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge | Reality competition | 2014 | 1 season, 8 episodes | |
| Wizard Wars | Reality competition | 2014–15 | 1 season, 12 episodes | |
| Troy: Street Magic | Reality | 2015 | 2 seasons, 10 episodes | Acquired from E4. |
| Close Up Kings | Reality | 2015 | 1 season, 8 episodes | |
| Cosplay Melee | Reality competition | 2017 | 1 season, 6 episodes | |
| Face Off: Game Face | Reality competition | 2017 | 1 season, 7 episodes |
Variety
[edit]| Title | Genre | Original broadcast | Seasons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTL Newsfeed | Science fiction interstitial | 1992–96 | 4 seasons, 1106 episodes | |
| The Dream Team with Annabelle and Michael | Talk show | 2003 | 1 season, 22 episodes (43 episodes unaired) | 65 episodes were filmed but the series was pulled after 22 episodes. |
| Into the Unknown with George Noory | Talk show | 2008 | 1 season, 5 episodes | |
| The Wil Wheaton Project | Talk show | 2014 | 1 season, 12 episodes | |
| Reactor | Talk show | 2015 | 1 season, 5 episodes | Twelve episodes were originally ordered but the series was pulled after five episodes. |
| Syfy Wire's The Great Debate | Talk show | 2020 | 1 season, 8 episodes | Twelve episodes were originally ordered but the series was pulled after eight episodes. |
Pro wrestling
[edit]| Title | Genre | Original broadcast | Seasons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WWE ECW | Professional wrestling | 2006–10 | 5 seasons, 193 episodes | Also known as ECW on Sci-Fi. |
| WWE NXT (seasons 1–3) |
Professional wrestling | 2010; 2021–24 | 3 seasons, 32 episodes (plus six specials) |
Also known as NXT 2.0. Moved online to multiple websites and streaming services partway through season 3. Moved again to USA Network partway through season 13. Moved again to The CW partway through season 18 onwards. Six specials aired on Syfy in 2021, 2022, and 2024 as part of seasons 15, 16, and 18 respectively. |
| WWE SmackDown (seasons 12–17) |
Professional wrestling | 2010–15 | 5 seasons, 275 episodes | Also known as Friday Night SmackDown. Previously aired on multiple other networks/channels for seasons 1–11. Moved to USA Network partway through season 18. Moved again to Fox partway through season 21. Moved back to USA Network partway through season 26 onwards. |
Syfy original films
[edit]Syfy second-run programming
[edit]Current programming
[edit]- Bates Motel (2023–present)
- Gary and His Demons (2019–present)[a]
- Quantum Leap (1994–2006; 2022–present)
- The Twilight Zone (1995–present)
- Quantum Leap (2022–present)
Former programming
[edit]Many of the following series used to be aired frequently on S.C.I.F.I. World, a daytime programming schedule started on in July 2000, that divided its marathons into five days that concentrated on five particular themes:
Superheroland, Creatureland, Intergalacticland, Fantasticland and Inhumanland.
- The 4400 (2005–06)
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1992–96)
- Alien Nation (1992–2002)
- All Souls (2008–09)
- The Amazing Spider-Man (1993; 1995–98)
- Amazing Stories (1992–2006)
- American Gothic (1998–2001)
- The Anti-Gravity Room (1995–98)
- Babylon 5 (2000–03)
- Back to the Future (1994–96)
- Batman (1997; 2000–01)
- Battlestar Galactica (1992–2001)
- Beakman's World[3]
- Beastmaster (2004–07)
- Beauty and the Beast (1994–96)
- Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (2002–05)
- Beyond Reality (1994–95; 1997–2000)
- Bionic Six (1995–97)
- The Bionic Woman (1994–2000; 2007)
- Brimstone (1999–2002; 2009)
- Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
- Cable in the Classroom
- Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys (1999–2000)
- Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons (1995–97)
- Cleopatra 2525 (2003–04)
- Code Name: Eternity (2004–06)
- The Crow: Stairway to Heaven (2000–03)
- Crusade (2001–03)
- Dark Angel (2006–09)
- Dark Shadows
- Dark Shadows (1991 series)
- Dark Skies
- Darkroom
- Dead Like Me
- Defenders of the Earth
- Doctor Who (1992–93)
- Early Edition
- Earth 2
- Earth: Final Conflict
- The End Is Nye
- Extreme Ghostbusters
- The Fantastic Journey (1992–96)
- Fantastic Voyage
- Fantasy Island
- Firefly
- Friday the 13th: The Series
- Forever Knight (1996–99; 2002–03)
- Futurama (2017–21)[a]
- Future Cop
- Galactica 1980
- Galaxy High School (1993–94; 1996)
- Gemini Man (1992–96; 1998; 2000)
- Ghost Whisperer
- Golden Years
- Grave Times
- The Green Hornet
- Hammer House of Horror
- Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense
- Haunted
- Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
- Here Comes the Grump (1993–94)
- Heroes Reborn
- H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man
- Harley Quinn[a]
- Highlander
- Highlander: The Raven
- The Hitchhiker
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
- The Immortal
- The Incredible Hulk
- In Search of...
- Intergalactic
- Inside Space
- The Invaders
- The Invisible Man
- Jake 2.0
- Joe 90
- John Doe
- Journey to the Center of the Earth
- Jumanji[3]
- Kindred: The Embraced
- King Arthur and the Knights of Justice[3]
- Knight Rider
- Kolchak: The Night Stalker
- Kraft Suspense Theatre
- Land of the Giants
- Land of the Lost
- The Last Kingdom
- Lazer Patrol
- Level 9
- Little Shop
- Lost in Space
- The Magician
- Manifest
- Manimal
- Mann & Machine
- Master Blasters (2005)
- Max Headroom
- Misfits of Science
- Monsters
- Moonlight
- My Secret Identity (1993–97)
- Mysteries from Beyond the Other Dominion
- The New Adventures of Flash Gordon
- The New Adventures of Gigantor
- Night Gallery (syndicated series, including episodes of The Sixth Sense)
- Night Stalker
- Night Visions
- Nightmare Cafe
- Now and Again
- Odyssey 5
- One Step Beyond
- Otherworld
- The Outer Limits (1999–2010)
- Passions
- The Phoenix
- Planet of the Apes
- The Powers of Matthew Star
- Prey
- Primeval
- The Prisoner
- Probe
- The Ray Bradbury Theater (1994–98; 2000–02)
- Raze
- Return to the Planet of the Apes (1992–94)
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! (1982) (1994–97)
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! (2000) (2005–10)
- Roar (2003–06)
- RoboCop: The Series
- Robotech (1993–94)
- Roswell
- Roswell Conspiracies: Aliens, Myths and Legends[3]
- The Science Show
- SciFi Buzz
- SciFi Declassified
- SciFi Trader
- SeaQuest DSV (1997–2001; 2005)
- The Sentinel
- Seven Days
- She-Wolf of London
- The Six Million Dollar Man
- Skysurfer Strike Force[3]
- Something Is Out There
- Sonic Underground
- Space: 1999 (1992–96)
- Space: Above and Beyond (1998–2001)
- Special Unit 2
- Stargate Infinity
- Starman
- Star Trek
- Star Trek: The Animated Series
- Star Trek: Enterprise
- Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Star Wars: Droids (1993–97)
- Star Wars: Ewoks (1993–97)
- Stingray
- Strange World
- Swamp Thing
- Swamp Thing: The Animated Series
- Tales from the Crypt
- Tales from the Darkside
- TekWar
- Terrahawks
- Timecop
- Threshold
- The Time Tunnel
- Tracker
- The Transformers (1992–97)
- Thriller
- Tru Calling
- The Twilight Zone
- UFO
- V
- Viper
- The Visitor
- Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
- Voyagers!
- War of the Worlds
- Weird Science
- Wolf Lake
- Wonder Woman (1998–2001)
- Xena: Warrior Princess (2000)
- The X-Files
- Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist
TZGZ second-run animated programming
[edit]- The Alien Guide to Earth
- Brogan: Master of Castles
- The Cyanide & Happiness Show
- Dallas & Robo
- Don't Feed the Humans
- Purgatony
Other second-run programming
[edit]- Chuck[4][5]
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
- Departure
- Heroes[6]
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Four episodes aired on one night. All were related to serial killers.)[7][8]
- Lost
- NCIS: Los Angeles
- Passions[9]
- Spartacus
- Surface
Movie marathons
[edit]- Made in Columbia Pictures (Labor Day)
- Godzilla's Thanksgiving Showdown (Thanksgiving and Black Friday)
- Twas the Fight...: A Marathon of Kaiju Movies (Christmas Eve and Christmas)
- Have a Sci-fi New Years! (New Year's Eve and New Year's Day)
Anime shown on Syfy
[edit]

For most of the 1990s, Syfy showed anime films, although they had to be edited in order to be shown on basic cable. The channel's longest running animation block, referred to as Saturday Anime, aired at the start of the channel's broadcast day each Saturday morning. In 2007, Syfy reintroduced anime to their programming via the "Ani-Monday" block. In 2008 the block was shifted to Tuesday; in 2010, to Thursday; and after June 9, 2011, disappeared abruptly, along with the Anime section of the Syfy.com website.[10][11] Licensors that have supported this block included Streamline Pictures, Central Park Media, Manga Entertainment USA, and Geneon Entertainment USA among others. The licensor that has aired it on the block is shown after the title.
- 8 Man After (Streamline Pictures)
- Adieu Galaxy Express 999 (Viz Media)
- Akira (Streamline Pictures dub) (Streamline Pictures)
- Appleseed (Geneon Entertainment USA)
- Appleseed (OVA) (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Armitage III: Poly-Matrix (Geneon Entertainment USA)
- Black Jack: The Movie (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Black Magic M-66 (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Casshan: Robot Hunter (Streamline Pictures)
- Chrono Crusade (ADV Films)
- Dead Leaves (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Demon City Shinjuku (Central Park Media)
- Descendants of Darkness (Central Park Media)
- Dominion: Tank Police (edited) (Central Park Media)
- E.Y.E.S. of Mars (Streamline Pictures)
- Ergo Proxy (Manglobe)
- Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture (Viz Media)
- Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (Sony Pictures)
- Galaxy Express 999 (Viz Media)
- Gall Force: Eternal Story (Central Park Media)
- Ghost in the Shell (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Green Legend Ran (Geneon Entertainment USA)
- Gurren Lagann (Bandai Entertainment)
- Highlander: The Search for Vengeance (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Iria: Zeiram the Animation (Central Park Media)
- Kai Doh Maru (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Karas: The Prophecy (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Karas: The Revelation (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Lensman (Streamline Pictures)
- Lily C.A.T. (Streamline Pictures)
- Macross Plus (Manga Entertainment USA)
- MD Geist (Central Park Media)
- MD Geist II: Death Force (Central Park Media)
- Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (Bandai Entertainment)
- Monster (Viz Media)
- Monster Rancher (BKN)[3]
- Negadon: The Monster from Mars (Central Park Media)
- The New Adventures of Gigantor (Streamline Pictures)[12]
- Ninja Scroll (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Noein: To Your Other Self (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Now and Then, Here and There (Central Park Media)
- Odin - Starlight Mutiny (Central Park Media)
- Perfect Blue (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Project A-ko (Central Park Media)
- Project A-ko: Grey Side/Blue Side (Central Park Media)
- Psychic Wars (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Rave Master (Tokyopop)[13]
- Read or Die (OVA) (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Record of Lodoss War (1990 OVA series, first three episodes only) (Central Park Media)
- Robot Carnival (Streamline Pictures)
- Roujin Z (Central Park Media)
- Star Blazers: The Quest for Iscandar (Voyager Entertainment)
- Strait Jacket (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Street Fighter Alpha: The Animation (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Street Fighter Alpha: Generations (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Street Fighter II V (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Sword for Truth (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Tactics (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Tenchi the Movie: Tenchi Muyo in Love (Geneon Entertainment USA)
- Tenjho Tenge (TV Asahi)
- Tokko (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer (Central Park Media)
- Vampire Hunter D (1985 film) (Urban Vision)
- Vampire Wars (Manga Entertainment USA)
- Venus Wars (Central Park Media)
- Virus Buster Serge (Manga Entertainment USA)
- The Wicked and the Damned: A Hundred Tales of Karma (Geneon Entertainment USA)
- X (Manga Entertainment USA)
Other programming
[edit]- 13: Fear Is Real
- 666 Park Avenue
- AHHH Zombies
- The American Scream
- Apparitions
- Automan (1994–96; 2000–01)
- Black Blood Brothers
- Can You Survive a Horror Movie?
- Children of Darkness
- Chiller 13: The Decade's Scariest Movie Moments
- Chiller 13: Horror's Creepiest Kids
- Dark Realm
- Dead Like Me
- Descendants of Darkness
- Devil May Cry: The Animated Series
- Fear Factor
- The Future of Fear
- The Gates
- Ghost Whisperer
- Ghoul
- Harper's Island
- Haunted
- Hex
- The Hunger
- Is This a Zombie?
- Invasion
- Kindred: The Embraced
- Kolchak: The Night Stalker
- Masters of Horror
- Millennium
- Moonbase 3 (1995–96; 1998)
- Monster
- Mork & Mindy (November 28, 2008)
- Most Daring
- The Nightmare Room
- The Others
- Persons Unknown
- Profit
- Pushing Daisies
- Real Fear
- Real Fear: The Truth Behind the Movies
- Scary... But True!
- Sea of Souls
- The Secret Circle
- The Sixth Sense
- Slasher
- Spine Chillers
- Steve Niles' Remains
- Strange
- Strange World
- Tales from the Crypt
- Tales from the Darkside
- Todd and the Book of Pure Evil
- Tokko
- Tokyo Majin
- Tru Calling
- The Twilight Zone (1992–93)
- Twin Peaks
- Unexplained Mysteries
- War of the Worlds
- Werewolf
- Wolf Lake
- World's Most Amazing Videos
- The X-Files
Announced, unrealized projects
[edit]- 2002[14]
- The Chronicles of Amber: Four-hour miniseries based on Roger Zelazny's series, scripted by Richard Christian Matheson, with Tom Patricia of Patriarch Pictures as executive producer.
- Colosseum: made-for-TV-movie in which modern-day fight promoter Tommy Pettigrew finds himself transported in time to the Colosseum of Rome in the year AD 95, with a script by Sam Egan. Directed by Mario Philip Azzopardi and executive produced by Egan, Azzopardi, and Matt Loze.
- The Forever War: Four-hour miniseries, scripted by John Fasano and based on Joe Haldeman's novel of that name. Executive producers were Richard Edlund, along with Peter Sussman and Ed Gernon for Alliance Atlantis.
- Myst: Four-hour miniseries based on the video game Myst. A Mandalay Television Pictures production, executive produced by Elizabeth Stephen with Rand Miller and Susan Bonds of Cyan, in association with Columbia Tri Star Domestic Television and distributed through USA Cable Entertainment.
- On the Seventh Day: Seven-hour miniseries set in 2850 in an overcrowded world in which the government has assigned people one day a week to live, while spending the remaining six days in Cryopreservation, from writer and executive producer Gary Sherman and USA Cable Entertainment.
- Quantum Leap: Syfy announced development of a two-hour television film based on Quantum Leap that would have served as a backdoor pilot for a possible new series, with series creator Donald P. Bellisario returning as executive producer.[15]
- 2003
- 1000 Days: A live-action made-for-TV-movie and backdoor pilot based on the Marvel Comics series Strikeforce: Morituri, about near-future soldiers who gain enhanced abilities but die 1,000 days later. Written by Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, it was a Reveille Productions and Marvel Studios co-production executive produced by Reveille head Ben Silverman and Marvel Studios' Avi Arad and Rick Ungar.[16]
- Alien Blood: TV-movie of a human rebellion when an invading alien army demands that one million people be sacrificed. Produced by UFO Films.[17]
- Brother Voodoo: A live-action made-for-TV-movie and backdoor pilot based on the Marvel Comics supernatural character Brother Voodoo. Hans Rodionoff was announced to write the screenplay, set in New Orleans, of this Reveille Productions and Marvel Studios co-production executive produced by Reveille head Ben Silverman and Marvel Studios' Avi Arad and Rick Ungar.[16]
- Dead Rail: A made-for-TV-movie set aboard a bullet train headed to Las Vegas on its inaugural run, and a detective who must battle hostile aliens. Written by Brian Smith, "founder of SciFi.com's Seeing Ear Theatre", and produced by Glow Worm.[17]
- The Twelve: A miniseries, based on a concept by David Pirie, about an FBI agent who finds evidence that the world will end on the twelfth day of Christmas. With Martin Scorsese and producer Barbara De Fina as executive producers, with Cappa/De Fina Productions in conjunction with Adrian Bate and Zenith Entertainment Ltd., it was scheduled to debut in December 2005.[18]
- 2004
- Kyra: David Twohy, co-screenwriter and director of Pitch Black and writer-director of its sequels The Chronicles of Riddick and Riddick, said in June 2004 he was writing the story basis for a Sci-Fi Channel made-for-TV-movie pilot based on the Riddick character Kyra.[19]
- 2005[20]
- Barbarian Chronicles: A half-hour animated ensemble comedy show created by Brendon Small. To be co-produced by David Letterman's Worldwide Pants production company.
- Dallas in Wonderland: A half-hour reality series hosted by Dallas Campbell, where he attempts to succeed at a series of sci Fi challenges.
- Heroes Anonymous: A live-action show based on the Bongo Comics comic about a group of superheroes that start a support group.
- Seriously Baffling Mysteries: A half-hour mockumentary hosted by Jonathan Frankle, which goes in search of the paranormal on a shoestring budget.
- Those Who Walk In Darkness: A live-action adaptation of the novel of the same name by John Ridley.
- Time Tunnel: A remake of the 1960s ABC sci-fi series The Time Tunnel. Co-produced with Fox Television Studios and Kevin Burns and Jon Jashni of Synthesis Entertainment. Written by John Turman.
- Tomorrow's Child: A series about a girl who received extraordinary powers after being saved by an alien. Produced by NBC Universal Television Studio and Gary Foster's Horseshoe Bay Productions.
- Urban Arcana: A live-action series based on the role-playing game. Aron Coleite was to write and Gary A. Randall and Rockne S. O'Bannon were to produce in association with Fox Television Studios.
- "Return of The Thing": A planned four-hour mini-series that would've served as a sequel to John Carpenter's 1982 horror classic The Thing (1982 film). Frank Darabont was on board as an executive producer on the series, which would have taken place in both Antarctica and a small town in New Mexico. Though the project fell through, concept art and a screenplay was released.
- 2012
- Blake's 7: On July 23, 2012, Deadline Hollywood reported that a remake for US television networks was being developed by the independent studio Georgeville Television.[21] Syfy announced on August 22, 2012 that Joe Pokaski would develop the script and Martin Campbell would direct the new remake.[22] In 2013 it was reported that Syfy had ordered a full-series order of thirteen episodes but nothing following this report materialized.[23] Other media reported that a full-series order of thirteen episodes had been placed.[24]
- 2018
- Tremors: On November 28, 2015, it was reported that Universal Television and Blumhouse Productions were developing a new Tremors TV series and that Kevin Bacon would reprise his role of Valentine McKee for the first time in the series since the first movie.[25][26] In August 2017, it was announced that Vincenzo Natali would direct the pilot[27] which would be written by showrunner Andrew Miller[28] with filming taking place from late October 2017 through November 2017.[28] On April 28, 2018, it was announced that Syfy had passed on the pilot.[29]
- 2019
- Cipher: In January 2019, it was announced that Syfy had given the AI drama project a pilot order with Universal Content Productions.[30] The pilot was directed by Peter Hoar and written by Allison Miller who also served as executive producer. It was later reported that Syfy had passed on the project.[31]
- (Future) Cult Classic:[30] In January 2019, it was announced that Syfy had given the dark comedy project a pilot order with Universal Content Productions. The pilot was directed by Tim Kirkby and written by Shay Hatten, both of whom served as executive producers. It was later reported that Syfy had passed on the project.[31]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Syfy programming schedule". Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- ^ Webb Mitovich, Matt (March 5, 2025). "The Ark Renewed for Season 3 at Syfy". TVLine. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "U.S. Syfy Channel schedule for October 1999". Inner Mind. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
- ^ "Chuck fan site". Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- ^ Glennon, Morgan (May 24, 2013). "Chuck star Yvonne Strahovski interview with Huffington Post". Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- ^ "Heroes on NBC". Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- ^ "NBC Law & Order: Special Victims Unit". Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- ^ "CTV Law & Order: Special Victims Unit". Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- ^ "NBC Passions soap opera moved to direcTV, cancelled". March 26, 2007. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- ^ Manry, Gia (May 27, 2011). "U.S. SyFy Channel Lists No More Anime After June 9". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ "Anime | Syfy". Syfy. Archived from the original on May 8, 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
- ^ "The New Adventures of Gigantor: Old Memories". www.skooldays.com. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ "U.S. Sci Fi Channel to Run Rave Master Fantasy Anime". Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ "SCI FI Slate Announced". Sci Fi Wire, (Syfy/Sci Fi Channel). April 3, 2002. Archived from the original on June 6, 2002. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
- ^ "New Leap, Tremors On Sci-Fi". Syfy. July 9, 2002. Archived from the original on July 9, 2006.
- ^ a b "SCI FI Adapts Marvel Series". Sci Fi Wire (Sci Fi Channel). January 3, 2003. Archived from the original on February 8, 2003. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
- ^ a b "SCI FI Unveils Film Slate". Sci Fi Wire (Sci Fi Channel). July 9, 2003. Archived from the original on August 4, 2003. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
- ^ "Scorsese Comes to SCI FI". Sci Fi Wire (Sci Fi Channel). July 11, 2003. Archived from the original on August 4, 2003. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
- ^ "Twohy Readies Kyra Pilot". Sci Fi Wire (SciFi.com). June 7, 2004. Archived from the original on June 7, 2004. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
- ^ "New slew of original Sci Fi shows on the way". AOL TV. April 14, 2005. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 23, 2012). "Martin Campbell And Georgeville TV Shop Reboot Of Cult U.K. Sci-Fi Series 'Blake's 7'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ Bibel, Sara (August 22, 2012). "Syfy to Develop Cult Adventure Classic 'Blake's 7'; 'Casino Royale's' Martin Campbell to Direct, 'Heroes' Joe Pokaski to Write Pilot". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 24, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ "Blake's 7: Classic BBC sci-fi to return on Syfy channel". BBC News. April 9, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ Mellor, Louisa (April 9, 2013). "Blake's 7 reboot goes to full series order". Den of Geek. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie. "'Tremors' Reboot Starring Kevin Bacon From Blumhouse Gets Syfy Pilot Order". Deadline. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
- ^ Trumbone, Dave (November 24, 2015). "Kevin Bacon to Battle Graboids in 'Tremors' TV Series". Collider.com. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 22, 2017). "'Tremors': Vincenzo Natali To Direct Syfy-Blumhouse Reboot Starring Kevin Bacon". Deadline. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
- ^ a b Gomez, Adrian (October 4, 2017). "Kevin Bacon back in the saddle for 'Tremors' pilot". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 28, 2018). "'Tremors' Reboot Pilot Starring Kevin Bacon Not Going Forward At SyFy". Deadline. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
- ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (January 29, 2019). "Syfy Orders Pilots For AI Drama 'Cipher' & Dark Comedy '(Future) Cult Classic'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
- ^ a b "2019 Syfy Pilots & Series Orders". Deadline Hollywood. January 18, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
Sources
[edit]- Syfy's Original Movies
- Syfy's Schedule
- The Inner Mind's Sci-Fi Channel schedule lists — dates as far back as 1994 and then some
List of programs broadcast by Syfy
View on GrokipediaCurrent programming
Original scripted series
Syfy's original scripted series encompass a range of science fiction, horror, and supernatural narratives produced specifically for the network, emphasizing speculative themes and character-driven plots. These programs form the core of Syfy's current programming slate, blending established franchises with new developments as of November 2025. The lineup reflects the channel's focus on innovative genre storytelling, often drawing from comics, novels, and original concepts to explore human-alien interactions, post-apocalyptic survival, and paranormal mysteries.[9] The following table lists Syfy's current original scripted series, including their active seasons and key details:| Series | Years Active | Seasons | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Ark | 2023–present | 3 | This space opera follows a crew of survivors aboard a generation ship en route to Proxima b after Earth's cataclysmic destruction, led by Lt. Sharon Garnet as they face internal conflicts and external threats. Season 2 aired in 2024, with season 3 slated for premiere in 2026.[10][9] |
Co-productions
No current co-productions are active as of November 2025. Previous collaborations, such as with Bell Media's CTV Sci-Fi Channel, have concluded their seasons earlier in the year without confirmed renewals.[11]Unscripted series
Syfy's current unscripted series offerings are limited, with the network emphasizing scripted content in its 2025-26 programming slate. As of November 2025, no original unscripted programs are airing new episodes, though the channel continues to broadcast acquired reality and competition formats during off-peak hours.[9][1] In May 2025, during NBCUniversal's upfront presentations, Syfy announced six new unscripted projects in development, signaling a potential expansion into reality and competition genres aligned with its sci-fi theme, such as cosplay or effects-based challenges. However, as of November 2025, specific titles, formats, and premiere dates remain undisclosed, with no confirmations of production or air dates.[12][13]Former programming
Drama series
Syfy, formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel, has aired a wide array of drama series, predominantly in the science fiction and fantasy genres, many of which explored themes of survival, alternate realities, and human conflict. These programs often featured serialized storytelling with high-stakes narratives, contributing to the channel's reputation for innovative speculative fiction. The following table lists notable former drama series that have concluded their original runs on Syfy, including both original productions and key acquired broadcasts. This compilation focuses on scripted dramatic content, excluding comedies, anthologies, miniseries, and unscripted formats.[14]| Title | Years Aired | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Monkeys | 2015–2018 | Time-travel thriller based on the film, following a soldier's mission to prevent a plague. |
| Aftermath | 2016 | Post-apocalyptic family drama amid supernatural biblical events. |
| Alphas | 2011–2012 | Team of superhumans with enhanced abilities investigates threats. |
| Being Human | 2011–2014 | Remake about a vampire, werewolf, and ghost cohabiting and hiding their natures. |
| Bitten | 2014–2016 | Werewolf pack dynamics and supernatural intrigue in a modern setting. |
| Blood Drive | 2017 | Dystopian road race with deadly challenges in a resource-scarce world. |
| Continuum | 2012–2015 | Time-traveling cop from the future protects the past from corporate terrorists. |
| Dark Matter | 2015–2017 | Amnesiac crew of a spaceship uncovers their criminal pasts and interstellar conspiracies. |
| Day of the Dead | 2021 | Reimagining of the zombie classic, focusing on survival in a quarantined town. |
| Deadly Class | 2019 | 1980s-set story of teens training as assassins in an elite academy. |
| Defiance | 2013–2015 | Post-alien invasion drama in a terraformed future city, tied to a video game. |
| Dominion | 2014–2015 | Angelic apocalypse where humans fight lower angels for control. |
| Eureka | 2006–2012 | Secret town of scientific geniuses dealing with experimental mishaps. |
| Ghost Wars | 2017–2018 | Remote town haunted by vengeful spirits and paranormal investigators. |
| Haven | 2010–2015 | Inspired by Stephen King's The Colorado Kid, about a detective solving supernatural "troubles." |
| Helix | 2014–2015 | Scientists battle a virus outbreak at an Arctic research facility. |
| Hunters | 2016 | Group hunts aliens disguised as humans in a post-invasion world. |
| Incorporated | 2016–2017 | Corporate espionage in a future divided by megacorporations and climate change. |
| Killjoys | 2015–2019 | Bounty hunters navigate political intrigue in a warring solar system. |
| Krypton | 2018–2019 | Prequel to Superman, depicting the planet's downfall and a time-traveler's interference. |
| The Magicians | 2015–2020 | Adult adaptation of the book series about magic school students facing multiversal threats. |
| Nightflyers | 2018 | Adaptation of George R.R. Martin's novella about a spaceship crew seeking alien contact. |
| Olympus | 2015 | Mythological drama reimagining Greek gods and heroes in a modern context. |
| Superstition | 2017–2018 | Southern Gothic tale of supernatural creatures in a haunted town. |
| Vagrant Queen | 2020 | Space opera following a fugitive queen reclaiming her throne. |
| Van Helsing | 2016–2021 | Post-vampire apocalypse where descendants of the hunter battle the undead. |
| Warehouse 13 | 2009–2014 | Agents collect and store dangerous artifacts with anomalous properties. |
| Wynonna Earp | 2016–2021 | Descendant of Wyatt Earp fights revenants in a modern Wild West setting. |
| Z Nation | 2014–2018 | Zombie survivors transport a potential cure across a ravaged America. |
Comedy series
Syfy has broadcast a variety of comedy series throughout its history, often blending humor with science fiction, horror, or supernatural elements to appeal to its genre-focused audience. These programs, which include both original productions and acquired content, typically featured satirical takes on pop culture, alien encounters, or absurd scenarios, but many were short-lived due to niche appeal or network shifts.[6] The former comedy series aired on Syfy span from the late 1990s to the mid-2020s, with several achieving cult status for their irreverent style. Notable examples include animated satires and live-action prank shows, reflecting the channel's experimentation with lighter fare amid its heavier sci-fi lineup. Below is a table summarizing key former comedy series, including premiere and finale years where applicable.| Title | Years Aired | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mystery Science Theater 3000 | 1997–1999 | Acquired series where human and robot hosts riffed on B-movies; seasons 8–10 originally broadcast on Sci-Fi Channel before later revivals elsewhere.[15] |
| Tripping the Rift | 2004–2005 | Adult animated sci-fi parody following an outlaw crew; produced in association with Sci-Fi Channel for its U.S. premiere.[16] |
| The Chronicle | 2001–2002 | Science fiction comedy about tabloid journalists investigating supernatural events; original Sci-Fi Channel series.[17] |
| Happy! | 2017–2019 | Black comedy-drama featuring an ex-cop and imaginary unicorn rescuing a kidnapped girl; Syfy original based on a graphic novel.[18] |
| The Wil Wheaton Project | 2014 | Topical sketch comedy hosted by Wil Wheaton, parodying sci-fi and geek culture; single-season Syfy original.[19] |
| Alien News Desk | 2019 | Animated news satire from an alien perspective on human quirks; Syfy original with voices by Will Forte and Heidi Gardner.[20] |
| Reginald the Vampire | 2022–2024 | Horror-comedy about an unlikely vampire navigating undead life; Syfy original canceled after two seasons.[21] |
| Resident Alien | 2021–2025 | Sci-fi comedy about an alien impersonating a doctor in a small town; Syfy/USA Network original ended after four seasons.[22] |
Anthology series
Syfy's anthology series have typically featured self-contained episodes drawing from science fiction and horror traditions, often adapting short stories or urban legends to deliver twist-filled narratives. These programs emphasized speculative themes, exploring the boundaries of reality, technology, and the supernatural without ongoing character arcs. Welcome to Paradox (1998) was a 13-episode science fiction anthology that aired on the Sci Fi Channel (now Syfy), with each installment adapting short stories by prominent authors such as Harlan Ellison and Robert Silverberg. Set in the ostensibly utopian future city of Betaville, the series examined the dark undercurrents of advanced society, blending moral dilemmas with speculative elements like time travel and artificial intelligence. Produced in Canada and aired in the U.S. and Canada, it ran for a single season from September to December 1998.[24] Channel Zero (2016–2018) marked Syfy's most prominent horror anthology, created and executive produced by Nick Antosca, spanning four seasons and 24 episodes. Each season adapted a distinct internet creepypasta into a standalone story: Season 1 ("Candle Cove") followed a man's investigation into a haunting children's TV show; Season 2 ("No-End House") depicted a labyrinthine amusement house trapping visitors; Season 3 ("Butcher's Block") centered on urban legends of flesh-eating entities; and Season 4 ("The Dream Door") explored a interdimensional portal in a suburban home. Praised for its psychological depth and visual style, the series earned a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its first season and influenced modern creepypasta adaptations. It concluded after four seasons due to rising production costs.[25] Masters of Horror (2005–2007), an acquired anthology series originally produced for Showtime, was broadcast on Syfy in select markets including the UK via Sci Fi Channel, featuring 29 hour-long episodes directed by horror luminaries like John Carpenter, Dario Argento, and Tobe Hooper. Each episode presented an original tale of terror, covering subgenres from supernatural hauntings to psychological thrillers, such as "Jenifer" (a grotesque romance) and "Imprint" (a Japanese ghost story). The series highlighted independent horror filmmaking and ran for two seasons before cancellation amid creative disputes.[26]Miniseries
Syfy, originally launched as the Sci Fi Channel in 1992, produced and broadcast a variety of miniseries in the 2000s and early 2010s, emphasizing science fiction, fantasy, and horror narratives often adapted from literature or expanded from existing franchises.[27] These limited-run productions typically spanned 2 to 10 episodes, allowing for self-contained stories that explored speculative concepts without committing to ongoing series. Many featured high-profile talent and special effects, contributing to Syfy's reputation for ambitious genre television during its early rebranding era.[27] The network's miniseries output peaked in the mid-2000s, with adaptations like those of Frank Herbert's Dune saga and reimaginings of classic tales such as Alice in Wonderland.[28] By the 2010s, the format shifted toward more experimental limited series, though production tapered as Syfy focused on ongoing scripted shows and original films.[29] All listed below are former programming, no longer in active production or rotation as of 2025.| Title | Premiere Year | Episodes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dune | 2000 | 3 | Adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel, directed by John Harrison, starring William Hurt and Saskia Reeves; focuses on interstellar politics and ecology on the desert planet Arrakis. |
| Taken | 2002 | 10 | Steven Spielberg executive-produced saga spanning generations of alien abductions in America, featuring Dakota Fanning and Joel Gretsch; explores government cover-ups and human-alien hybrids. |
| Battlestar Galactica | 2003 | 3 | Reimagining of the 1978 series by Ronald D. Moore, starring Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell; depicts humanity's flight from robotic Cylons in a post-apocalyptic search for Earth. |
| Children of Dune | 2003 | 3 | Sequel to Dune, based on Herbert's novel, directed by Greg Yaitanes, with Alec Newman reprising Paul Atreides; centers on his children's struggle against imperial intrigue and prescience. |
| 5ive Days to Midnight | 2004 | 5 | Thriller about a physicist (Timothy Hutton) receiving future evidence of his wife's murder; blends time travel and mystery in a race against fate. |
| Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars | 2004 | 2 | Four-hour continuation of the Farscape series, written by Rockne S. O'Bannon, starring Ben Browder and Claudia Black; resolves the cliffhanger with interstellar peace negotiations. |
| The Triangle | 2005 | 3 | Conspiracy thriller on the Bermuda Triangle, executive-produced by Bryan Singer, featuring Eric Stoltz; investigates supernatural disappearances linked to global experiments. |
| The Lost Room | 2006 | 6 | Mystery series created by Christopher Leone, starring Peter Krause; follows a detective unraveling objects with impossible powers from a vanished 1961 motel room. |
| Tin Man | 2007 | 3 | Dark reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, starring Zooey Deschanel as DG; set in a dystopian O.Z. with psychic elements and a quest against the Sorceress. |
| Alice | 2009 | 2 | Modern, gritty take on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by the Sci Fi Channel, directed by Nick Willing, with Caterina Scorsone; portrays Wonderland as a surreal casino realm. |
| Riverworld | 2010 | 2 | Adaptation of Philip José Farmer's novels, starring Tahmoh Penikett and Laura Vandervoort; depicts historical figures resurrected on a mysterious river planet. |
| Neverland | 2011 | 2 | Prequel to Peter Pan, executive-produced by Scott Steindorff, featuring Rhys Ifans; explores young Peter and the Lost Boys' origins in Victorian London. |
| Ascension | 2014 | 6 | Cold War-era sci-fi limited series, created by Philip Levens, starring Tricia Helfer; uncovers secrets aboard a generation ship launched in the 1960s. |
Animated series
Syfy, originally launched as the Sci-Fi Channel in 1992, incorporated animated programming into its schedule from its inception, emphasizing science fiction-themed series and specials to appeal to genre enthusiasts. Early efforts included reruns of classic animated sci-fi like Star Blazers, an American adaptation of the Japanese anime Space Battleship Yamato, which aired as part of the channel's foundational lineup in the 1990s and continued sporadically into the 2010s. The network also pioneered anime broadcasting in the U.S. through dedicated blocks, beginning with the "Saturday Anime" programming in the mid-1990s, which featured edited English-dubbed titles to introduce international animation to American audiences.[30][31] By the early 2000s, Syfy expanded its animated offerings with original co-productions and acquired series, including adult-oriented CGI comedies and more mature anime imports via blocks like "Ani-Monday" and "Ani-Tuesday," which ran from 2007 to 2011. These initiatives showcased a mix of original Western animation, such as the irreverent space parody Tripping the Rift, and high-profile anime series that influenced global pop culture. However, by 2011, Syfy phased out its anime blocks, shifting focus away from animated content in favor of live-action scripted series, marking the end of an era for its animated programming. The pilot for The Amazing Screw-On Head, a steampunk horror-comedy based on Mike Mignola's comic, aired in 2006 but did not lead to a full series despite critical interest.[30][31][32][33] The following table highlights representative former animated series broadcast by Syfy, focusing on those with significant cultural impact or network exclusivity:| Title | Format | Broadcast Years on Syfy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star Blazers | TV series (dubbed anime) | 1990s; 2011 | Seminal U.S. anime import; aired in early morning slots and as part of final anime push in 2011.[31] |
| Tripping the Rift | CGI TV series | 2004–2005 | Original co-production; adult sci-fi comedy parodying Star Trek and space operas.[32] |
| Record of Lodoss War | OVA series (dubbed anime) | 1990s (Saturday Anime block) | Fantasy-sci-fi hybrid; one of the earliest anime series featured in Syfy's dedicated block.[30] |
| Neon Genesis Evangelion | TV series (dubbed anime) | 2007–2011 (Ani-Monday) | Influential mecha series; aired select episodes as part of Syfy's anime expansion.[30] |
| Gurren Lagann | TV series (dubbed anime) | 2008–2011 (Ani-Monday) | High-energy mecha action; part of the network's later anime slate before discontinuation.[30] |
| Mobile Suit Gundam 00 | TV series (dubbed anime) | 2009–2011 (Ani-Monday) | Modern Gundam entry; broadcast both seasons, emphasizing political sci-fi themes.[30] |
Unscripted series
Syfy has aired numerous unscripted series over its history, primarily in the reality and paranormal genres, often exploring supernatural investigations, UFO phenomena, and genre-themed competitions. These programs, which included originals like Ghost Hunters and acquired formats, contributed to the network's diversification beyond scripted sci-fi in the 2000s and 2010s. Many concluded due to shifting priorities toward scripted content by the mid-2010s. The following table lists notable former unscripted series that have ended their runs on Syfy.| Title | Years Aired | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ghost Hunters | 2004–2016 | Paranormal investigation series following TAPS team exploring haunted locations; spanned 11 seasons before moving to other networks. |
| UFO Hunters | 2008–2009 | Documentary-style series examining unidentified flying objects and government conspiracies; two seasons. |
| Destination Truth | 2007–2012 | Adventure reality show led by Josh Gates investigating cryptozoological and paranormal claims worldwide; five seasons. |
| Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files | 2008–2011 | Team debunks or verifies viral supernatural videos using scientific methods; three seasons. |
| Scare Tactics | 2003–2013 | Hidden-camera prank show with horror-themed setups; original run of seven seasons before 2024 revival on USA Network and Syfy.[34] |
| Paranormal Witness | 2011–2016 | Anthology-style reality recounting eyewitness accounts of hauntings and encounters; five seasons. |
Pro wrestling programs
Syfy, originally known as the Sci Fi Channel until its rebranding in July 2009, served as a key broadcast partner for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) programming during the mid-to-late 2000s and early 2010s, airing professional wrestling shows that emphasized high-impact matches, storylines, and character development within WWE's branded universe.[35] These programs were part of WWE's strategy to expand its television footprint beyond traditional sports networks, leveraging Syfy's audience interested in action-oriented and fantastical content.[36] The network's primary pro wrestling offering was ECW on Syfy (initially titled ECW on Sci Fi), a weekly one-hour program that revived WWE's Extreme Championship Wrestling brand as its third roster division alongside Raw and SmackDown. Debuting on June 13, 2006, with a live episode from the Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, New Jersey, the show featured intense, hardcore-style matches and ECW originals like Rob Van Dam and Sabu, alongside emerging WWE talent such as John Cena and CM Punk.[37][35] It aired Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, drawing an average viewership of around 2 million in its early seasons and becoming Syfy's highest-rated original series at the time.[38] The series ran for 193 episodes across four seasons, concluding on February 16, 2010, with Ezekiel Jackson defeating Vladimir Kozlov to win the final ECW Championship in the brand's last match.[39] This program marked Syfy's entry into scripted wrestling entertainment, blending elements of extreme action with WWE's production values to appeal to both wrestling fans and the channel's sci-fi demographic.[39] Following ECW's conclusion, Syfy became the exclusive home for WWE SmackDown, WWE's flagship Friday night program, under a multi-year deal announced in April 2010. The show premiered on the network on October 1, 2010, shifting from MyNetworkTV and retaining its two-hour format focused on the SmackDown brand's athletic superstars, including edge-of-your-seat rivalries like those involving Edge, Randy Orton, and The Undertaker.[40] Aired Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT, it later moved to Thursdays in 2015 to accommodate scheduling changes, consistently ranking as Syfy's top-rated program and averaging 2.5–3 million viewers per episode during its run.[41] SmackDown broadcast 261 episodes on Syfy, ending on December 25, 2015, before relocating to USA Network in January 2016 as part of WWE's renewed partnership with NBCUniversal.[42] This era solidified Syfy's role in WWE's television landscape, contributing to the promotion's global expansion and the evolution of SmackDown into a live weekly staple.[43] In addition to these regular series, Syfy temporarily aired other WWE programs during periods of Olympic coverage on USA Network. WWE Raw and NXT episodes broadcast on Syfy for two weeks in February 2022 (February 7 and 14 for Raw; February 8 and 15 for NXT) and again in July–August 2024 (July 29 and August 5 for Raw; July 31 and August 7 for NXT), accommodating the Winter and Summer Olympics, respectively.[44] These short stints highlighted Syfy's ongoing affiliation with WWE but did not constitute ongoing programming blocks.[45]| Program Title | Broadcast Dates | Seasons/Episodes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECW on Syfy | June 13, 2006 – February 16, 2010 | 4 seasons / 193 episodes | Revived ECW brand; Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT; final champion crowned Ezekiel Jackson.[39] |
| WWE SmackDown | October 1, 2010 – December 25, 2015 | 5 years / 261 episodes | Friday/Thursday nights; WWE's blue brand flagship; highest-rated show on Syfy.[42] |
| WWE Raw (temporary) | February 7 & 14, 2022; July 29 & August 5, 2024 | Limited episodes | Preempted from USA due to Olympics coverage.[44] |
| WWE NXT (temporary) | February 8 & 15, 2022; July 31 & August 7, 2024 | Limited episodes | Preempted from USA due to Olympics coverage.[44] |
Original films and specials
Syfy original films
Syfy original films are made-for-television movies produced by or for the Syfy network, specializing in low-budget science fiction, horror, and fantasy genres characterized by exaggerated premises, practical effects supplemented by CGI, and often campy or absurd narratives. These films emerged as a key programming staple starting in 2002, when the then-Sci Fi Channel began commissioning originals to fill weekend slots and capitalize on the genre's appeal to niche audiences. By 2010, Syfy was producing around 25 such films annually, with individual budgets typically ranging from $1.5 million to $2.5 million, utilizing a rotation of about 10 production companies to deliver quick-turnaround content. Premieres, often scheduled for Saturday nights under banners like "Syfy Saturday Original Movies," consistently drew an average of 2 million domestic viewers, occasionally spiking above 3 million for standout titles, helping the network compete with other cable outlets in the TV movie space.[46] The films' signature style revolves around high-concept "what if" scenarios involving monstrous creatures, apocalyptic disasters, or supernatural threats, frequently blending real-world settings with implausible science. Early examples include "Pterodactyl" (2005), where prehistoric birds ravage a war-torn region, and "Stonehenge Apocalypse" (2010), depicting ancient monoliths unleashing seismic destruction on modern London. These productions emphasized escapist entertainment over polished storytelling, attracting B-movie enthusiasts and occasionally former child stars or genre veterans in lead roles, such as in "Mega Python vs. Gatoroid" (2011), where 1980s icons Debbie Gibson and Tiffany portray rival environmentalists combating colossal reptile hybrids in the Florida Everglades. The film's premiere was marketed with a theatrical red-carpet event, underscoring Syfy's strategy to elevate the format's visibility despite its modest scope.[46] A pivotal moment came in 2013 with "Sharknado," a collaboration with indie studio The Asylum that imagined tornadoes hurling sharks onto Los Angeles, starring Ian Ziering and Tara Reid. Produced on a $2 million budget, it initially garnered 1.4 million viewers but ignited massive social media buzz—over 500,000 tweets during airtime—propelling it to viral status and records for Syfy original movies, including subsequent airings that exceeded 2 million viewers each. This success spawned a franchise of five sequels (six films total) through 2018, escalating absurdity with plots like orbital shark storms and time-traveling chainsaw-wielding protagonists, while incorporating high-profile cameos from celebrities such as Carrie Fisher and David Hasselhoff; the series not only boosted international co-production deals but also redefined Syfy's brand around meme-worthy spectacle, with a seventh film, Sharknado Origins, announced in November 2025 for a 2026 release.[47][48][49] Historically, Syfy greenlit approximately 20 original films per year, many as co-productions tailored for global distribution to its international channels, focusing on creature features like "Sharktopus" (2010)—a genetically engineered shark-octopus hybrid menacing a Mexican resort—or disaster epics such as "2012: Ice Age" (2011). However, by the mid-2010s, amid a broader pivot toward prestige scripted series like "The Expanse" and "The Magicians," the network scaled back on quantity to prioritize quality and genre depth, reducing annual output to fewer than a dozen and emphasizing space operas over B-movie hybrids. In recent years, productions have become sporadic, with examples including "Bring It On: Cheer or Die" (2022), a slasher reimagining of the cheerleading franchise where a squad faces a masked killer during a Halloween retreat, signaling a blend of nostalgia and horror for targeted demographics. As of 2025, Syfy has not announced new original films, continuing its focus on scripted series. This evolution reflects Syfy's adaptation to streaming competition while preserving its legacy of accessible, genre-driven filmmaking.[50][51][52][53]Other original specials
Syfy has produced a select number of original specials outside of its extensive lineup of feature films, often focusing on behind-the-scenes looks at genre creators, anniversary retrospectives, or themed reality formats tied to its sci-fi and fantasy programming. These one-off productions highlight the channel's emphasis on imaginative craftsmanship and fan culture, typically airing in prime time slots to complement ongoing series. One notable example is the Syfy 20th Anniversary Special, a two-hour retrospective that premiered on December 10, 2012. Directed by David Stephan, the program featured interviews with stars and creators from iconic Syfy series such as Battlestar Galactica, Stargate SG-1, and Eureka, reflecting on the network's evolution from its 1992 launch as the Sci-Fi Channel to a hub for original genre content. Guests included Dean Cain, Aaron Ashmore, and Eric Balfour, providing personal insights into the channel's impact on television science fiction.[54][55] In early 2014, Syfy aired a trio of original specials centered on geek and effects artistry, aligning with the launch of Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge. Carvers debuted on March 4, 2014, following master sculptors Ray Villafane and Andy Bergholtz as they and their team crafted intricate works from materials like pumpkins, ice, and sand for events and commissions. The one-hour special showcased their quirky process and high-stakes creativity in the competitive world of custom art.[56][57] Following on March 11, 2014, My Big Fat Geek Wedding captured the planning and execution of a fantasy-themed nuptials for couple Julian Roman and Mandie Bettencourt, orchestrated by celebrity planner Kristin Banta. The special incorporated elements like a dragon entrance, zombie guests, and comic book motifs, celebrating geek subculture through a personalized, over-the-top ceremony.[58][59] The series of March specials concluded with Foxy & Co. on March 18, 2014, which documented former Face Off contestant Eric "Foxy" Fox teaming up with alumni Nicole Chilelli, RJ Haddy, and Roy Wooley to establish a Hollywood special effects studio. The program highlighted their collaborative efforts on creature designs and prosthetics, blending reality competition vibes with entrepreneurial drama in the SFX industry.[60][61] Later that year, Face Off: Judge Match aired on September 2, 2014, as a standalone extension of the popular makeup competition series. In this twist, judges Ve Neill, Neville Page, and Glenn Hetrick competed against each other for charity, enlisting past contestants as assistants to create elaborate designs based on a surprise challenge. The special emphasized the judges' talents while raising funds for their chosen causes, culminating in a viewer-voted winner.[62]| Title | Premiere Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Syfy 20th Anniversary Special | December 10, 2012 | Retrospective with interviews from Syfy stars on the network's history and future.[54] |
| Carvers | March 4, 2014 | Follows sculptors Ray Villafane and Andy Bergholtz creating custom art pieces.[56] |
| My Big Fat Geek Wedding | March 11, 2014 | Geek-themed wedding special with fantasy elements planned by Kristin Banta.[58] |
| Foxy & Co. | March 18, 2014 | Former Face Off contestants launch a special effects shop.[60] |
| Face Off: Judge Match | September 2, 2014 | Face Off judges compete in a charity makeup challenge.[62] |
Second-run and acquired programming
Current second-run series
Syfy currently broadcasts several second-run series, which are acquired programs originally produced by other networks and aired as reruns to fill its schedule. These shows provide viewers with classic science fiction, horror, and anthology content alongside the channel's original programming.[63] One prominent example is The Twilight Zone, the iconic anthology series created by Rod Serling that originally aired on CBS from 1959 to 1964. Known for its twist endings and exploration of speculative themes, Syfy airs episodes regularly, including marathons and themed blocks throughout the month of November 2025.[64][65]| Series | Original Network | Original Run Years | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Twilight Zone | CBS | 1959–1964 | Anthology series featuring standalone stories with moral and speculative elements, often involving the supernatural or futuristic scenarios. |
| Star Trek: The Original Series | NBC | 1966–1969 | Classic science fiction series following the adventures of Captain Kirk and the USS Enterprise crew on exploratory missions. |
Former second-run series
Syfy's former second-run series encompassed acquired programs from other networks, primarily in the science fiction and fantasy genres, that filled the channel's schedule during its early years but were eventually phased out of regular rotation. These reruns helped establish Syfy (originally the Sci-Fi Channel) as a hub for genre content before it expanded into more original productions. Many such series aired in the 1990s and early 2000s, often in blocks or as syndicated repeats, but ceased regular broadcasts as licensing agreements expired or programming priorities shifted toward movies and new shows. A key example was Sliders, a multiverse-hopping adventure originally produced for Fox, where it ran for three seasons from 1995 to 1997. The Sci-Fi Channel acquired the series in 1997, ordering 22 new episodes for a fourth season and later commissioning an additional 18 episodes for the fifth and final season, while also rerunning prior episodes to build audience familiarity. The show premiered its fourth season on the channel in 1998 and concluded with the fifth season finale in February 2000, after which it no longer appeared in regular Syfy programming.[66][67][68] Another prominent former second-run series was Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K), a comedy series featuring human hosts and robotic companions riffing on B-movies, which originated on Comedy Central for seven seasons from 1988 to 1996. The Sci-Fi Channel picked it up in 1997, airing new episodes for seasons 8 through 10 and interspersing reruns of earlier installments. The channel renewed the show for its 10th season in 1998 with 13 episodes, but it was canceled in 1999 following the season 10 finale, ending its run on the network.[69][70] Bates Motel, a psychological thriller prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, originally produced by A&E and broadcast from 2013 to 2017. The show follows the troubled relationship between teenager Norman Bates and his mother, Norma, delving into themes of mental instability and family dysfunction. Syfy featured episodes of this series in its rotation until recent years.[71][1]| Series | Original Network | Years Aired on Syfy (as Second-Run/New Episodes) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sliders | Fox | 1997–2000 | Acquired after cancellation; seasons 4–5 produced for Syfy; full series reruns included. |
| Mystery Science Theater 3000 | Comedy Central | 1997–1999 | Seasons 8–10 new on Syfy; prior seasons rerun; canceled after season 10. |
| Bates Motel | A&E | 2013–2017 (reruns until ~2023) | Psychological horror prequel; episodes aired in rotation post-original run. |
Animated second-run blocks
Syfy's TZGZ block, launched in April 2019 and ending in March 2021, served as a dedicated late-night programming slot for adult-oriented animated content, airing Saturdays around midnight for approximately 90 minutes. This block featured a mix of original Syfy productions and acquired second-run series, emphasizing comedic, genre-infused stories in science fiction, fantasy, and horror themes tailored for mature audiences. The name "TZGZ" derives from a stylized pronunciation of "Syfy," and it included a mascot known as the High Wizard to brand the eccentric, irreverent tone of the lineup.[72] The block was introduced to revitalize Syfy's animation offerings by focusing on shorter-form episodes from emerging creators, alongside established acquired titles that had previously aired on other networks. It debuted with second-run episodes of Futurama, the long-running satirical sci-fi series originally produced by 20th Century Fox Television, and Gary and His Demons, a Canadian adult animated sitcom about a reluctant demon hunter, which had premiered on VRV in 2018. These acquisitions helped establish TZGZ as a hub for replaying cult-favorite animations, drawing young adult viewers with their blend of humor and speculative elements.[72][73] Over time, TZGZ expanded its second-run slate with additional acquired series to complement its originals. In January 2020, Syfy added eight 12-minute episodes of Purgatony, an Explosm Entertainment production originally released via Blackpills and Studio71, depicting absurd afterlife scenarios in a comedic hellish bureaucracy. Later that year, the block incorporated Dr. Havoc's Diary, a 30-episode, six-minute-per-episode series from New Form Digital that follows a midlife-crisis-stricken supervillain, which had debuted online in 2016. Other notable second-run additions include Cyanide & Happiness, the long-running web animation anthology known for dark, surreal shorts; The Alien Guide to Earth, a quirky observational series on extraterrestrial life; Don't Feed the Humans, a satirical take on alien-human interactions; Brogan: Master of Castles, featuring fantasy dungeon adventures; and Dallas & Robo, a futuristic buddy comedy originally from VRV. These acquired programs, often in 5-15 minute formats, allowed TZGZ to rotate content efficiently, fostering repeat viewings among fans of adult animation.[74][75][76] TZGZ's emphasis on second-run blocks positioned it as Syfy's primary venue for replaying animated genre content during its run, distinguishing it from the network's earlier, more sporadic animation airings. By curating a consistent Saturday slot, the block sustained viewer engagement through thematic marathons and pilot integrations, with acquired titles like Futurama providing anchor familiarity while introducing lesser-known series to broader audiences.[77][78]Movie marathons and themed blocks
Syfy has a tradition of broadcasting extended movie marathons and themed programming blocks focused on science fiction, fantasy, horror, and franchise-based content, often tied to holidays, anniversaries, or seasonal events to capitalize on genre fan interest. These blocks typically feature back-to-back airings of films, sometimes accompanied by special promotions, interviews, or related specials, allowing viewers to binge entire series or subgenres in a single session.[79][80] One prominent example is the recurring Sharknado marathons, celebrating the cult franchise's absurd premise of tornadoes filled with sharks. In 2023, Syfy aired an all-day event marking the 10th anniversary, screening all six films starting at noon ET, including Sharknado: The 4th Awakens. Earlier iterations, such as the 2014 "Sharknado Week" programming block, dedicated an entire week to shark-themed content, blending the series with other aquatic horror films. Additionally, the 2020 "One Last Bite of Summer" marathon ran daily shark attack movies like Deep Blue Sea and The Shallows over a weekend in August to close out the season.[79][81][82] Holiday-themed blocks are another staple, particularly around Thanksgiving and Christmas. For Thanksgiving weekends, Syfy has programmed franchise marathons such as the 2013 Star Trek event, which aired multiple films from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock through Star Trek: Generations across Saturday and Sunday. James Bond and Indiana Jones films have also featured in similar holiday lineups. Christmas programming often includes the Harry Potter series; a 2025 holiday marathon aired all eight films twice, plus the Fantastic Beasts trilogy, from February 14-17. Summer and other seasonal Harry Potter marathons, like the June 23-26, 2025 event, follow a similar format with sequential screenings.[83][84][85][86] Horror-focused marathons emphasize slasher and supernatural tropes. The Chucky franchise received a dedicated marathon in promotion of related series, stitching together all eight films into a narrative promo block. On Friday the 13th occasions, Syfy has run 24-hour Jason Voorhees events, such as the 2018 marathon commemorating the original film's 40th anniversary with all Friday the 13th entries. Themed horror blocks extend to October events like "31 Days of Halloween," incorporating original Syfy films alongside classics.[87][88] Other specialized blocks blend music and genre cinema. The 2020 "Metal Crush Mondays" series, airing weekly in August, paired heavy metal interviews with films like Lake Placid, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, Underworld: Blood Wars, and Rob Zombie's Halloween, highlighting connections between metal artists and sci-fi/horror tropes. Tribute programming, such as the 2015 five-hour Leonard Nimoy block featuring Star Trek episodes and films, underscores Syfy's focus on honoring icons through curated movie airings.[89][90]| Themed Block/Marathon | Description | Example Airings |
|---|---|---|
| Sharknado Anniversaries | Full franchise binges for the tornado-shark series | All six films, July 18, 2023[79] |
| Harry Potter Holidays | Complete Wizarding World films, often doubled | All eight + Fantastic Beasts, Feb. 14-17, 2025[85] |
| Friday the 13th Slasher | 24-hour Jason Voorhees marathons | All entries, 2018 anniversary[88] |
| Metal Crush Mondays | Metal-themed horror/sci-fi films with musician interviews | Halloween (2007), Aug. 2020[89] |
| Thanksgiving Franchises | Multi-film blocks of sci-fi/action series | Star Trek films, Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2013[83] |
Anime programming
Historical blocks
Syfy, originally known as the Sci-Fi Channel until its rebranding in 2009, was an early cable network to broadcast anime in the United States during the 1990s, introducing mature and speculative fiction titles to American audiences through dedicated programming events and blocks.[30] The network's early efforts began with limited showcases, evolving into a regular Saturday morning slot that aired edited English dubs of influential anime films and series, often focusing on science fiction and action genres.[30] These initiatives helped cultivate interest in anime beyond niche markets, though availability was constrained by distribution and censorship challenges at the time.[91] The first notable anime programming occurred in June 1993 with "Adventures in Japanese Animation," a weekend event that premiered three feature films—Robot Carnival, Lensman, and Vampire Hunter D—airing at 6 PM, 8 PM, and 10 PM EST on both Saturday and Sunday.[92] This was followed by annual festivals starting in 1994, such as the "Animation Marathon with Ralph Bakshi (Anime ’94)" from May 23-27, which featured Dominion Tank Police, Odin: Photon Sailer Starlight, Project A-ko, and The Venus Wars with multiple replays extending into late-night hours.[92] Subsequent events included the "3rd Annual Festival of Anime (Anime ’95)" in May 1995, showcasing Demon City Shinjuku, Lily C.A.T., Casshan: Robot Hunter, 8 Man After, and Project A-ko Vs. Battles 1 & 2, alongside additional screenings of Akira in August; the "4th Annual Festival of Anime (Anime ’96)" in August 1996 with Tenchi Muyo in Love, Gall Force: Eternal Story, Roujin Z, and E.Y.E.S. of Mars; the "5th Annual Festival of Anime (Anime ’97)" in August 1997 featuring Iria: Zeiram the Animation, Armitage III: Poly-matrix, and Green Legend Ran; and "Anime Week Hosted by Apollo Smile (Anime ’98)" in July 1998, which aired Fatal Fury, Galaxy Express 999, Adieu Galaxy Express 999, and Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer.[92] These festivals typically spanned four to five days, emphasizing marathon viewings to build viewer engagement.[92] In September 1995, the Sci-Fi Channel launched its first ongoing anime block, "Saturday Anime," which aired weekly at 9 AM EST (shifting to 11 AM in 1998) until 1998, featuring titles like The Venus Wars, Akira, Record of Lodoss War, Project A-ko, and Dominion Tank Police.[30] By 1999, the block transitioned to a late-night "Anime Movie" slot at 3 AM on Saturdays, with occasional returns to daytime in October, recycling earlier content amid declining prominence.[92] Anime programming largely paused after the late 1990s until a revival in 2007, reflecting shifts in network priorities toward original content.[30] The network reintroduced anime on June 11, 2007, with the "Ani-Monday" block, a two-hour late-night slot from 11 PM to 1 AM EST dedicated to English-dubbed series emphasizing sci-fi and horror themes, including Blood: The Last Vampire, Ghost in the Shell, Gurren Lagann, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Ninja Scroll, and Street Fighter II V.[93] In February 2008, the block expanded to include Tuesday nights, later fully shifting to "Ani-Tuesday" that year with additions like Appleseed and Read or Die.[94] By July 2009, it reverted to "Ani-Monday," and in 2010, it moved to Thursdays at 10 PM EST, starting March 14, 2011, incorporating titles such as Kai Doh Maru and monster-themed series during special October runs.[95] The block concluded on June 9, 2011, marking the end of Syfy's dedicated anime programming as the network focused on live-action originals.[31]Specific anime titles
Syfy's anime broadcasts encompassed a diverse array of titles, ranging from classic films and OVAs to full television series, often edited for television and dubbed in English. These selections emphasized science fiction, action, and horror themes aligning with the network's genre focus, introducing many to American audiences during the 1990s and 2000s.[30] Early broadcasts in the 1990s, via the Saturday Anime block and annual festivals, featured foundational cyberpunk and mecha titles. Akira (1988 movie), directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, aired multiple times starting in 1995, showcasing dystopian themes of psychic powers and urban decay in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo.[30] Ghost in the Shell (1995 movie), based on Masamune Shirow's manga, debuted on the network in the late 1990s and later on Ani-Monday, exploring cyborg identity and hacking in a futuristic world.[30] Other prominent OVAs included Appleseed (1988), a cyberpunk adaptation of Shirow's work about biomechanical humans in a utopian city, and Dominion Tank Police (1988-1989), a satirical series on robotic law enforcement in a crime-ridden metropolis.[30] Vampire Hunter D (1985 OVA), a gothic horror-fantasy by Hideyuki Kikuchi, aired as part of initial 1993 programming, blending vampire lore with post-nuclear wastelands.[92] The Ani-Monday block, launched in 2007, brought more contemporary series and films to Syfy, often in marathon formats. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (2007 TV series), created by Gainax, aired starting in 2008, delivering high-energy mecha action with themes of human perseverance against cosmic threats.[30] Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2007-2008 TV series) and its second season followed in 2008-2009, depicting a world divided by mobile suit warfare and private military interventions for global peace.[30] Psychological thrillers like Monster (2004-2005 TV series) by Naoki Urasawa premiered in 2008, following a surgeon's moral dilemma after saving a young serial killer's life.[30] Films such as Perfect Blue (1997), Satoshi Kon's tale of a pop idol's descent into paranoia and identity crisis, and Blood: The Last Vampire (2000), a supernatural vampire hunt in 1960s Japan, also featured prominently.[30] Additional titles spanned horror, adventure, and fantasy genres. Descendants of Darkness (also known as Yami no Matsuei, 2000 TV series) aired on Ani-Monday, centering on supernatural detectives in the underworld.[30] Noein: To Your Other Self (2005 TV series) explored multiverse travel and quantum mechanics through child protagonists.[30] OVAs like Karas (2005-2007), featuring yokai battles in modern Tokyo, and Read or Die (2001), about a paper-manipulating agent thwarting terrorists, added variety.[30] Later broadcasts included Rave Master (2001 TV series), a fantasy quest against dark forces, and Street Fighter II V (1995 TV series), adapting the fighting game into episodic martial arts adventures.[30]| Title | Format | Premiere Year on Syfy | Block | Key Themes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akira | Movie | 1995 | Saturday Anime | Cyberpunk, psychic powers |
| Ghost in the Shell | Movie | Late 1990s | Saturday Anime / Ani-Monday | Cyborgs, philosophy |
| Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann | TV Series | 2008 | Ani-Monday | Mecha, heroism |
| Mobile Suit Gundam 00 | TV Series | 2008 | Ani-Monday | Warfare, interventionism |
| Monster | TV Series | 2008 | Ani-Monday | Morality, pursuit |
| Perfect Blue | Movie | 2008 | Ani-Monday | Identity, obsession |
Additional programming
International co-productions
Syfy has engaged in several international co-productions, primarily with Canadian production companies and broadcasters, to develop original scripted series that blend science fiction, horror, and fantasy elements. These partnerships often involve shared financing, production resources, and simultaneous premieres on Syfy in the United States and partner channels in Canada, such as CTV Sci-Fi Channel (formerly Space) or CBC. This approach allows Syfy to leverage cost-effective production in Canada while accessing international markets and talent.[96][97] Key examples include:| Title | Genre | Co-Production Partners | Premiere Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascension | Science fiction mystery miniseries | Lionsgate, Sea to Sky Studios (Canada), Blumhouse Productions | 2014 | A six-episode event series set aboard a generation ship, co-produced for Syfy and CBC in Canada; qualifies as Canadian content due to Sea to Sky's involvement.[97][98] |
| Wynonna Earp | Supernatural Western drama | IDW Entertainment, Seven24 Films (Canada), Cineflix Studios | 2016 | Based on the IDW comic; co-produced for Syfy and Space (now CTV Sci-Fi Channel); ran for four seasons with production in Calgary, Alberta.[99][100] |
| Dark Matter | Science fiction adventure | Joseph Mallozzi, Paul Mullie, Prodigy Pictures (Canada) | 2015 | Adapted from a comic; co-produced for Syfy and Space; three seasons focusing on amnesiac crew members on a spaceship; filmed in Vancouver.[101][102] |
| Killjoys | Science fiction action | Temple Street Productions (Canada) | 2015 | Co-produced explicitly between Syfy and Space; five seasons following bounty hunters in a warring planetary system; production began in Toronto.[103][104][105] |
| SurrealEstate | Supernatural drama | Blue Ice Pictures (Canada), Bell Media | 2021 | Focuses on a team selling haunted properties; co-produced for Syfy and CTV Sci-Fi Channel; three seasons produced in Nova Scotia.[106][96] |
| Revival | Supernatural horror drama | Blue Ice Pictures (Canada), Hemmings Films | 2025 | Based on the Image Comics series; depicts the dead rising in a rural town; co-produced for Syfy and CTV Sci-Fi Channel; premiered in June 2025 with production in New Brunswick.[107][108][109] |
Short-form and web series
Syfy has ventured into short-form and web series production as a means to experiment with digital content and extend its science fiction, fantasy, and horror programming beyond traditional television formats. These efforts often served as proofs-of-concept for potential full-length series or standalone digital experiences, leveraging the channel's rebranding from Sci-Fi Channel in 2009 to emphasize innovative, genre-driven storytelling. Early examples focused on anthology-style shorts, while later ones adopted serialized web formats to engage online audiences with bite-sized episodes typically under 10 minutes each. One of the earliest short-form programs was Exposure (2000–2002), an anthology series that aired weekly on the Sci-Fi Channel, showcasing a mix of live-action and animated short films in science fiction, horror, and fantasy genres. The program featured works by emerging filmmakers as well as established directors like Tim Burton (with his short Vincent) and George Lucas (with George Lucas in Love), running for approximately 50 episodes and providing a platform for experimental content before the rise of platforms like YouTube.[112][113] In the mid-2000s, Syfy began exploring web-exclusive series, starting with the original Sanctuary webisodes (2007), an eight-part proof-of-concept produced independently by creator Damian Kindler. These shorts followed Dr. Helen Magnus protecting "abnormals"—supernatural beings—in a hidden sanctuary, blending steampunk aesthetics with monster-of-the-week plots; their success led to Syfy commissioning a full television adaptation that premiered in 2008 and ran for four seasons.[114][115] The channel's digital push continued with Riese: Kingdom Falling (2009), a 10-episode steampunk web series starring Sharon Alexander as an amnesiac queen fleeing a religious cult in the dystopian land of Eleysia, accompanied by her wolf companion. Produced by Alloy Entertainment and narrated by Amanda Tapping, it was initially released online before airing on Syfy's UK channel in 2011, garnering attention for its atmospheric world-building and cult following despite not advancing to a full TV run.[116][117] Another notable entry was The Mercury Men (2010–2011), a 10-part black-and-white web serial produced by Syfy Digital, evoking classic pulp adventures like Flash Gordon. The series followed office worker Jack Morgan battling mercury-based invaders from another dimension using retro-futuristic gadgets, with episodes released online and later integrated into Syfy's TV programming; it highlighted the network's interest in nostalgic, low-budget sci-fi for digital distribution.[118]| Title | Format and Duration | Premiere Year | Description | Key Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exposure | Anthology shorts (5–15 min episodes) | 2000 | Weekly showcase of amateur and professional sci-fi/horror shorts. | IMDb |
| Sanctuary (webisodes) | Serialized web shorts (8 episodes, ~10 min each) | 2007 | Proof-of-concept for abnormal-hunting series, expanded to TV. | Syfy Wire |
| Riese: Kingdom Falling | Serialized web series (10 episodes, ~8 min each) | 2009 | Steampunk tale of an exiled royal evading assassins. | IMDb |
| The Mercury Men | Serialized web serial (10 episodes, ~5 min each) | 2010 | Pulp-style adventure against interdimensional mercury foes. | Adweek |
