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1. Oct 8th 2007
Address removed for upload
TO: Jeff Zucker, President NBC/Universal Inc
TO: Jeff Gaspin, President NBC/U Cable and Digital Content
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY, 10112
SUBJECT: The sad state of the Sci-Fi Channel
Dear Gentlemen,
I am writing to offer my opinion of the sad state of the Sci-Fi Channel and the leadership of Bonnie
Hammer and her team because their entrenched lack of knowledge on how to manage the content for the
channel is in question. For too long the channel has continued a sad downward spiral to mediocrity and
below. Alienation of core demographics and ratings decline to the point where the channel’s worth and
reputation are at stake. Now you are probably wondering who I am and why would I write to you. Sure I
could take the easy path of posting anonymously online in a forum or a blog or send a email that will no
doubt get lost in a server somewhere, but I fell that by taking the time to write you a letter it shows my
intentions are earnest and thoughtful. My background is not in television but in space shuttle operations.
While they might not seem like relatable fields we both deal with billion dollar assets, mine is a national
asset and there are lives at stake, you answer to stockholders and the bottom line.
I am a long time fan of the science fiction genre, and I probably wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t
for the inspiration of science fiction, which is why the current state of the Channel is tragic. It is surprising
that NBC seems to be embracing quality sci-fi content with last season’s breakout hit Heroes and this
seasons crop (Chuck, Journeyman and Bionic Woman) while the namesake channel seems to be
abandoning quality products (Flash Gordon, Sci-fi original pictures). The NBC/Universal family has a vast
wealth of quality content that can be used to help revive the network as well as pushing the frontiers of
technology and audience interactivity.
What I am proposing is not going to be a quick turnaround for the network, but just as the decline to this
point has been slow the recovery effort will take some time but certain aspects would need to be started
now to payoff in the long run. I can offer advice and consult on a part time basis only at this point as my
commitment to the space program will take a majority of my time until the shuttle retires in 2010. After
that we can talk about a more permanent position to help continue the channel’s rise in prominence and
prestige. I look forward to discussing these proposals with you further and appreciate your time and
consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael A. Interbartolo III
Included attachments:
Proposed concepts and milestones for the channel’s recovery
Proposed Programming Schedule
CC: Bonnie Hammer, President Sci-Fi Channel

2. Proposed concepts and milestones for channel recovery
Immediate Actions to begin the Channel’s turnaround: (now - 3 months)
• Refocus on Sci-fi content and reengage the core fan base that has been eroding
due to questionable programming choices for some time.
o Several other networks have eroded audience share by invading Sci-fi
market by providing content that should have been on Sci-fi channel if
programming department was in touch with fan base.
• Improve connection with genre fans and better understand the core programming
o Look at ways to gather better and more comprehensive ratings information
via Tivo, or other methods independent of Nielsen data such as website
registry for immediate feedback on viewing habits
 It is far overdue for a network to step into the modern age and
throw off the shackles of the archaic Nielsen system.
 Could strengthen the new partnership with Amazon Unbox to
deliver content directly to coincide with airing with minor
embedded ads as well as bundle digital season subscription and
DVD pre-order at a discounted price.
o Fanboy President - similar to Star Wars.com and Red Sox Nation
president to open the lines of direct communication with core fan base.
• Terminate ECW airings - whatever money this may be bringing in it serves to
only alienate the core audience of the channel. The show can move back to sister
network (USA)
• Terminate Sci Fi Pictures and reallocate budget - the subpar “D” movies that have
been put out in past several years have cheapened the channel franchise worth
o Budget for these multiple low budget schlock fests should be pooled to
help leverage superior content for the channel.
• Terminate Flash Gordon - put the show on hiatus for major retooling. This version
of Flash Gordon has alienated core and while there is interest in an updated
version of Flash, support for this incarnation is not there.
o Leverage Universal serials, cartoon and movies to maintain interest in the
topic while show is significantly retooled.
• Leverage Universal library of content:
o Saturday morning serials and cartoons
o Friday Night Universal Monster Movie Madness
o Sunday Night Universal Action Movie Night
• Leverage Heroes, Journeyman, Bionic Woman and other past NBC scifi
properties
o Not just reruns of current shows, but older NBC properties could be used
o Original Heroes content to maintain show interest during mid season break
as well as prior to season 3.
Mid term Actions: (3 - 6 months)

3. • Renegotiate with BBC to close the Doctor Who gap - given the state of internet
technology by the time show airs on Sci-fi significant viewer ship is probably lost
due to other avenues of acquiring the data.
o If Show airs only several days after BBC US viewers would be less
inclined to download if show is not significantly edited with commercials
as it is now
o Negotiate for Doctor Who Confidential broadcast rights also to add
additional programming content
• Negotiate with Warner Bros Home Media for broadcast rights to Babylon Five
Lost Tales - prior to DVD release Sci-fi channel could air movie to increase
interest for DVD sales since DVD would add additional content that broadcast
airing would not provide.
• New Sci Fi News show - half hour show on upcoming sci-fi movies, tv and other
entertainment venues (Why should G4 be the network to cover Comic Con and
Star Wars Celebration IV)
Long Term Actions (beyond 6 months)
• Immediate negotiations with LucasFilm for broadcast rights to both live action
and Clone Wars animated series should be started now to ensure programming
content for channel in 08-10 timeframe
o Why should Cartoon network be the place for Star Wars - Clone Wars?
(another example of another network invading domain that Sci-Fi channel
should be dominating)
• Negotiate with Atom Films, Ifilms or Youtube for Fan Made content
o Plenty of scifi shorts available that could provide content for a half hour or
hour long variety show
o Cosponsor contest for best fan made content - why did Spike TV air the
AtomFilms/Lucasfilm Star Wars Contest this year? (another example of
another network invading domain that Sci-Fi channel should be
dominating)
• Sister network (Bravo) had a widely popular Brilliant but cancelled series - look
for a sci-fi specific version with new cast and crew interviews of the cancelled
shows.
Sci-fi channel should look to the past for content (Universal/NBC as well as other
properties) to reconnect with core audience as well as look towards the future and what
can be done to reinvigorate and widen the fan base as well as bring in main stream
viewers.

4. Proposed SCI-FI Programming Schedule
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
7:00 Brilliant Heroes Eureka
7:30 But Behind (Replay)
cancelled the scenes
(replay)
State of
Scifi
(replay)
8:00 Serial State of Eureka Alternate Heroes Monster Action
8:30 Sunday Sci-fi Reality Hour (NBC Movie Movie
Sci-fi replay) Madness Night
Shorts
9:00 Star Wars Doctor Who Star Wars Stargate
Live The Clone Atlantis
Action Wars
9:30 Sci-fi on Scifi on DVD
DVD (replay)
10:00 The Clone Heroes Doctor Who Journeyman Bionic
Wars Behind Confidential (NBC replay) Woman
(replay) the (NBC
scenes replay)
10:30 Ani- Sci-fi on Scifi
Monday DVD Shorts
(replay) (replay)
Action Movie Night - leverage the NBC/Universal Library of movies old and not so old
( use Sci-fi channel for network broadcast debuts of newer movies) could have bumpers
with behind the scenes footage at commercial breaks
Alternate Reality Hour - Who Wants to be a Superhero?, Ghost Hunters, Destination
Truth and Mind Control air during the hour throughout the year.
Ani-Monday - hour block for Anime/Science fiction cartoons
Bionic Woman - NBC’s Wednesday episode replays on Thursday
Brilliant But Cancelled - similar to Bravo network but focused on cancelled sci-fi shows
Doctor Who - negotiate to close the gap to air episodes the Tuesday after it airs in UK
Doctor Who Confidential - negotiate to get rights to air behind the scenes show after it
airs in UK
Heroes - NBC’s Monday episode replays on Thursday
Heroes Behind the Scenes - half hour behind the scene show building on the episode
that just aired on NBC (promote at the end of Heroes for more content switch over to
SCIFI channel - like BBC does with Doctor Who Confidential)
Journeyman - NBC’s Monday episode replays on Wednesday

5. Monster Movie Madness - Leverage the Universal Monster Library of Movies (sci-fi
has been doing horror with their sci-fi original movies probably best to use good horror)
could have bumpers with behind the scenes footage at commercial breaks.
Sci-fi on DVD - half hour show looking at the upcoming DVD releases. Includes
trailers, behind the scene promos and other DVD extra content to hype DVD releases.
(similar to Reelz Channel- Big Tease and E!Channel - Coming Attractions)
Scifi Shorts - variety show of fan made content from YouTube, or other sources. Would
limit entrants to 12 minutes to fit between commercial breaks.
Serial Sunday - Leverage NBC/Universal library for retro serials (The Boomerang and
TVLand networks have shown viability of old shows being rerun)
State of Scifi - half hour news show on what is going on in scifi movie, tv, online,
comics etc. (specials would include covering Star Wars Celebrations, Comic Con and
other large conventions - could send the Fan president to certain events to help promote
upcoming Sci-Fi content)
Star Wars Live Action - negotiate for broadcast rights to Lucasfilm’s upcoming live
action series set in Star Wars universe.
Star Wars The Clone Wars - negotiate broadcast rights to Lucasfilm’s upcoming
animated series set in Star Wars universe.
Returning Show:
Stargate Atlantis and Battlestar Galactica also return.
Dresden Files, Firefly, Farscape and other properties can be used to fill slots until content
is ready.