At their upfront presentation late yesterday, Syfy mapped out their programming plans for the rest of 2011 and into 2012. Network President Dave Howe introduced the largest original programming slate in the channel’s 18-year history, highlighted by 14 new original series and events comprising more than 100 hours of programming.
In July, Syfy will launch four scripted series in the same month — for the first time ever — new drama Alphas and returning series Warehouse 13, Eureka and Haven. Hopefully, this will help the network which is coming off off a year marked by disappointing ratings for Caprica and Stargate: Universe, both of which were cancelled after shorter-than-hoped-for runs. However, new series Being Human and Face Off, which have both been renewed, are doing better than expected and look to elevate the network out of its slump.
Also announced during the event was the launch of a new Syfy publishing business of genre games under the “Syfy Games” banner. Here’s all the info on Syfy’s upcoming slate of programming and projects in development:
NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
Alphas — Premiering in July — Alphas follows a team of ordinary citizens whose brain anomalies imbue them with extraordinary mental and physical abilities. Taking the law into their own hands, the unlikely team, led by Dr. Leigh Rosen (Emmy Award-winner and Oscar nominee David Strathairn) investigates cases that suggest other Alpha activity to uncover what the CIA, FBI and Pentagon have not been able, or willing, to solve. These gifted individuals must balance their quirky personalities and disparate backgrounds with their not always visible powers as they work to solve crimes, stop the ticking time bomb and catch the enemy.
Alphas also stars Malik Yoba, Warren Christie, Laura Mennell, Ryan Cartwright and Azita Ghanizada, and is a production of Universal Cable Productions and BermanBraun Television. Executive Producers are Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein for BermanBraun, Zak Penn and Ira Steven Behr.
