Fall 2006 Returning Shows Rank: 14
Battlestar Galactica is beloved in the Sci-Fi community. This statement is a polarizing one. You have an opinion in Sci-Fi, whether you like it or not. This may not be the opinion you share outwardly with others; you may claim to hate it's guts, yet secretly love it. “Cool� people do not like Sci-Fi, presumably, because Sci-Fi fans are considered “uncool�. There are exceptions, yes, but this is the general and accepted viewpoint.
This is why NBC Universal has placed
Battlestar Galactica on the Sci-Fi channel instead of NBC, where it may have thrived.
Battlestar is certainly a good enough program to reach some modicum of mainstream success. However, this success would have been derided by true Sci-Fi fans who see Sci-Fi has a bastion of their counter-culture: if it's made for the masses, it's not for them. Placing
Battlestar Galactica on the Sci-Fi Channel gave it immediate authenticity; it was made especially for the TV viewing minority because the “cool� kids don't watch the Sci-Fi channel (unless ironically viewing a movie about gigantic robot pythons). NBC Universal assured themselves of a cult hit by not airing the show on the big network. Although it cost them the possibility of a massive success, it was the smart, safe move.
-Oscar Dahl
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