BSGSoSayWeAll.com

In case you haven’t heard, the Sci-Fi Network is leaning towards splitting the fourth and final 20-episode season of Battlestar Galactica (BSG) into two, 10-episode blocks. The first ten episodes will be broadcast in the spring of 2008 and the second ten will not be shown until 2009.

From a fan perspective, this is totally unacceptable. It is a slap in the face for the show’s loyal fans who have supported and promoted the series from the beginning. THIS MUST NOT STAND!

The reason which will most likely be sited by the Sci-Fi Network and its parent company NBC/Universal is that the tremendous cost of the series dictates that the final season be split over two fiscal years (2008 & 2009) to help lessen the financial impact on the network. While this is a valid and somewhat accurate position, it is just a part of the reality facing the Sci-fi Network in regards to BSG.

BSG is vitally important to the network both financially and critically and the longer they can keep it on the air, the better it is for them. This is especially so when you look at the typical programming on the Sci-Fi Network. To say that it is not very intellectually-challenging would be a massive understatement. Unless, of course, you’re into movies about giant lizards, snakes, insects or amphibians invading small towns and being defeated by washed-up, b-list actors. Sci-Fi Network programming is a basket of crap with a huge, shiny diamond named Battlestar Galactica sitting on top. They don’t want to lose that diamond and they have no problem shafting over the viewers in order to milk the BSG franchise for every penny possible.

The reason for all of this basically comes down to, as it always does, the money. The result being a "screw the viewer, they’ll watch no matter what we do" mentality. And do not think that it will not happen. The Sci-Fi Network has a history of less-than-viewer-friendly decisions, the latest being that the beginning of season four has been pushed back from January 2008 to April 2008. This has no doubt be done to coincide with release of the season three DVD’s. additionally, while we’re on the subject of DVD’s, splitting season four into two separate seasons would also make it easier for the NBC/Universal to split the DVD into two separate sets as well. This was done for season two, much to the dismay of the public, and it was done simply to maximizing profit; why sell one set of DVD’s for $49.95 each when you can split them up and sell two sets for $29.95 each? Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with the makers of BSG earning a profit. After all, if they didn’t make a profit we wouldn’t have the show at all. But do keep in mind that we are talking about (at most) a 20-episode season, not a 24-26-episode season that the average TV-series produces.

We are, once again, about to be jerked around, insulted and minimized by the corporate suits in charge of BSG and if we don’t move quickly, it will continue. The fans who have supported the series and spread the word about its excellence to everyone they could get to listen, deserve to see the show conclude in a reasonable timeframe. We have bought the DVD’s, books, magazines, blueprints and merchandise and supported the show in every way possible…we deserve better than this.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Well first of all, don’t sit on your hands. We have to move quickly because it is easier to change a decision before it is made than after. Spread the word on to every BSG fan you can and post on every message board you can find. Not only about this site but about your efforts and how others can help.

You need to write letters to the Sci-Fi Network and NBC/Universal. By letters, I mean actual, physical letters on paper, not just emails. Emails can be ignored and deleted, letters pile up very quickly and they have to be moved, read and stored by people who have better things to do.

You need to call the Sci-Fi Network and NBC/Universal corporate offices and POLITELY tell them how opposed you are to splitting BSG’s fourth season into two, widely-spaced seasons.

Use this site as a source for information and advice on how to best reach our goal. There are names, addresses, email addresses and other contact information on those who will be making the decision on BSG’s fourth season. There are also suggestions for writing letters and emails as well as dialogs for phone conversations.

Email us and let us know your progress and we will post any new info in the NEWS link on the upper navigation bar. Also, if you have any information to share on who else to contact at the Sci-Fi Network or NBC/Universal who can help our efforts, please email us and let us know as soon as possible and we‘ll post it right away.

If you would like to contribute a buck or two to help support this site financially please click the CONTRIBUTE link on the top navigation bar. But remember: your best contribution is to get involved and contact the people who will determine how BSG’s final season plays out.

Okay, now let’s all get to work!

So say we all.