New Farscape Webisodes on SciFi.com???

[atlantagirl]

SyFyPortal.com is reporting that SciFi has ordered 10 Webisodes of Farscape. No info on who will be on it, how long each episode will be, or really anything except that the deal appears to have been inked. I'm intrigued. . . :cool:

[StarsGoBlue]

Hey, long time no see, baby! :hug:

:)

[atlantagirl]

Back at 'cha, Stars! :hug:

[Doc Holiday]

I am game...there's some obvious questions like how long will it be? Who will be in it? Whatever that answer may be Farscape is Farscape and I'm happy to have anything.

[Jul]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07196/801964-352.stm

[Nicola]

Now this sounds exciting...

What are webisodes exactly?

[Jul]

Webisodes are short episodes that are aired through a website - web-based episodes :D

[StarsGoBlue]

BSG had some earlier this season... I think they set theirs between season 2 & 3, and/or some supplemented eps after they'd been shown.

BSG's were about three minutes long each, but they can be as long or short as Skiffy's willing to pay for, I reckon. ;)

ETA: Now I think on it, I'm pretty sure Bones has/had them too, either on the Fox site or at the Bones myspace page.

[Jul]

http://nab.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=161689

Dave Howe (skiffy's VP/GM) is saying that some of the original cast members will appear in the webisodes, but didn't specify who we could expect to see.

[PEACEKEEPER GARO]

I am so freakin' excited!!!!!!!!! If these webisodes are successful, perhaps it could lead to an all-new Farscape project on TV!

[jpinMoya]

WAHHHHHOOOOOO!!!!!

[Nicola]

Fantastic!

[jpinMoya]

This is the part that really has me hopefull

Gateworld is reporting the following that the episodes are going to be Executive Produced by Brian Henson and Robert Halmi, Jr, and produced by The Jim Henson Company with association from RHI Enterprises. Their purpose - "...to revive and expand the beloved Farscape universe". http://www.gateworld.net/news/2007/07/ifarscapei_igalacticai_return_in.s

TO REVIVE AND EXPAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES

I think this should be a Hell Yeah

[atlantagirl]

Of course you realize the BEST thing about this -- apart from new Farscape, of course -- is that if the troops can be rallied again, it will be MUCH easier to promote webisodes online. Think about the type of effect we were able to produce in online venues before! The hard part was parlaying our online efforts into "real world" results that would make a statistical difference in the ratings. I dare say, if Scapers pull together like they did before, we can make a FRELLING BIG SPLASH in the stats on SciFi.com. And that's something they actually will be able to quantify (and see the potential profitability in). :D

[uisceboo]

Squee!:)

[StarsGoBlue]

Of course you realize the BEST thing about this -- apart from new Farscape, of course -- is that if the troops can be rallied again, it will be MUCH easier to promote webisodes online. Think about the type of effect we were able to produce in online venues before! The hard part was parlaying our online efforts into "real world" results that would make a statistical difference in the ratings. I dare say, if Scapers pull together like they did before, we can make a FRELLING BIG SPLASH in the stats on SciFi.com. And that's something they actually will be able to quantify (and see the potential profitability in). :D


*snicker* Skiffy, welcome to the internets. Finally. :groove:

[PEACEKEEPER GARO]

Skiffy is not saying how long each webisode will be. Could be anywhere from around 5 to 50 minutes long. IMHO I don't think the webisodes will be as long as regular TV episodes, but I aslo can't see the Jim Henson Company going to the trouble of creating new sets, characters, "muppets", and all the other SFX that come along with a show like Farscape without making each webisodes more than mere few minutes long. But I am soooo greatful just to have a few seconds of brand new Farscape footage, so I will be happy with whatever TPTB give me.

[FarscapeChick]

HELL YEAH!

This is excellent news! I can't wait.






Bones had webisodes?!? Are there links?

[jpinMoya]

Maybe when theres more definite things on this a Mod should send a mass email to all site members. This could be a big help getting it back on TV if we can crash there servers for every new webisode :D

[talisman]

http://www.sanctuaryforall.com/
A web based series also, last about 15 minutes per episode.
so if we get 10 webisodes at 15 minutes per episode = a hole new movie.

[atlantagirl]

I also can't see the Jim Henson Company going to the trouble of creating new sets, characters, "muppets", and all the other SFX that come along with a show like Farscape without making each webisodes more than mere few minutes long.

I think they could actually do quite a lot without going to great expense. "Expanding on the Farscape universe" could mean any kind of freaky little vignette in pretty much any locale. They wouldn't have to rebuild a leviathan set or a big PK ship set, a webisode could be set in a bar somewhere in the uncharted territories and could feature any character with any kind of link to the series.

Of course, I HOPE, they'll be able to get Ben or Claudia or Gigi, etc. to reprise their roles, but if they are "testing the waters" I think they could certainly pull off short, quirky webisodes that might pique the interest of the online masses without incurring the costs necessary for a major production.

Of course, there was also talk of an animated series at one point (I really hope they don't go that route, but until we get more information we shouldn't take anything for granted).

Given the popularity of YouTube, iTunes, and things like JibJab, I think this is a very clever concept on the part of Henson and SciFi. They know that Farscape has always had a significant following online and they appear to be trying to meet that demand in a way that's economically feasible. If it causes enough of a buzz online, it could grow into more in time.

It's a hopeful thing. The powers that be haven't forgotten Farscape. Let's hope the fans haven't either.

[FarscapeChick]

Maybe when theres more definite things on this a Mod should send a mass email to all site members. This could be a big help getting it back on TV if we can crash there servers for every new webisode :D

Since the deal's been closed, I'd vote for letting people know now and following it up with more details later. But that could just be my excitement talking.

[Jul]

We've already sent out an email via our Yahoo Group List ;)

[Wolli World]

Just got the news through my google alerts and was coming here post it, but see I was beaten to the punch. Anything new is frelling awesome. It would be cool if they go into the whole Nebari story that we never really got to learn about. Would still like to know how they destroyed the Zelbinion so many years ago, and what was all that about a virus? Would be cool to see the PKs and the Scarrans have to unite to fight off the Nebari. Okay, I'm getting carried away. I'll definitely take whatever I can get! :banana: Woohoo!

[waltersgirl]

Webisodes are short episodes that are aired through a website - web-based episodes :D


i think it's interesting that the word "mini-sodes" was used for BSG and "webisodes" was used for Farscape.

*snicker* Skiffy, welcome to the internets. Finally.

heh

[Necron]

Well, I'll be this was the last thing I expected to see in my inbox when I got home from work today. Nice to see new Scape , but I am a bit leary of Web-only content. Chances are they will be very short (3-5 minutes) episodes, and except for us guys, won't do much to promote the show. Unless, of course, Skiffy is floating these Webisodes to judge fan support of the show to see whether there would be enough support for say, another mini-series, or possibly a movie... I guess we will have to wait and see.

Edit: Oh, and they better not do anything that messes with canon. John and Aeryn can't be apart or John be dead or something unholy like that. Not that Brian would ever do something like that... but Skiffy would.

[StarsGoBlue]

Bones had webisodes?!? Are there links?

hmm, found the link (http://www.fox.com/bones/mastercard/video.htm) ... but i remember now that it was more of a spinoff and the product placement bugged me. didn't finish it myself, but there are 26 (sponsored by mastercard) clips. :cool:

[Doc Holiday]

Maybe this is a set up for a another mini.

[uisceboo]

We've already sent out an email via our Yahoo Group List ;)

For those who don't know about it:

Save Farscape Announcements (http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/SaveFarscapeAnnouncements/)

[ergie]

This is better than nothing... Let see what happens in the next weeks anyway. But I think that overall are awesome news, because If they're testing the fanbase, They'll have a surprise, as I had weeks ago when I found this forum and terrafirma (and some other webs). Farscape is alive in you guys and I'm personally very impressed with your constant devotion.


Edit: Oh, and they better not do anything that messes with canon. John and Aeryn can't be apart or John be dead or something unholy like that. Not that Brian would ever do something like that... but Skiffy would.

Agreed

[waltersgirl]

Well, I'll be this was the last thing I expected to see in my inbox when I got home from work today. Nice to see new Scape , but I am a bit leary of Web-only content. Chances are they will be very short (3-5 minutes) episodes, and except for us guys, won't do much to promote the show. Unless, of course, Skiffy is floating these Webisodes to judge fan support of the show to see whether there would be enough support for say, another mini-series, or possibly a movie... I guess we will have to wait and see.

Edit: Oh, and they better not do anything that messes with canon. John and Aeryn can't be apart or John be dead or something unholy like that. Not that Brian would ever do something like that... but Skiffy would.


can't we just wait and see and be happy? is that too much to ask? Skiffy didn't have to do this.

[waltersgirl]

from exclusive interview with iF Magazine...just came in to my email:

The biggest announcement was that FARSCAPE would be returning care of SCI FI Channel and Jim Henson Productions via a new 10-episode webisdoe series, but there were some other questions we needed answered about projects on one of our favorite networks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


iF MAGAZINE: Will the original cast be returning for FARSCAPE?

DAVE HOWE: We don’t know. Literally, we closed the deal yeaterday, so we haven’t gotten into any of the creative conversations about casting, or story; all of that is yet to come. It is based on FARSCAPE so it will involve the characters from the series, but we don’t know who or what.

there's nothing else about Farscape, but here's the link to the full article. does have some Flash Gordon news if anyone's a fan. link. (http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=2233)

[jfranka]

Hol.

ly.

Frell!

HELL YEAH!!!!!

See what Scorpious has taught us? Patience wins out. :-)

This is amazing news!

I have to admit I haven't said anything on the boards for a long time, but I've been watching the board, rewatching the eps on tv, and telling people or giving people the DVD's.

And announced on my birthday!

[janey_13]

Sweet! Can't wait to hear more about this!

[waltersgirl]

And announced on my birthday!

happy frelling birthday to you!!!!!! :D

[Milan]

Haven't been here in awhile but heard the news and have spread the word to all the farscape fans I know.So far this is very exciting and I can't wait for more news on this.:D

[PEACEKEEPER GARO]

Just when I think it's over...they drag me back in. ;)

[atlantagirl]

can't we just wait and see and be happy? is that too much to ask? Skiffy didn't have to do this.

Absolutely! This is a time to celebrate! :dancemonkey: We can start the critique after we see them. (ooooh, new Farscape stories to critique :eek: ) Personally, I'm really impressed with SciFi for embarking on this creative venture (into uncharted territories . . . hehehe). I realize there are other web tv products out there, but it's not as though it's just done everyday and Farscape seems to be one of the first -- it's an ideal show on which to test the concept.

Let's put our energies into figuring out what we'll be able to do to ensure the project's success! (Of course, that will be easier to do once we know more, but there's no reason we can't start spinning strategies -- or moling ourselves into groups throughout the internet from which we'll be able to spread the word when the time comes.) ;)

[Grunchlik]

This is frellin fantastic news MORE FARSCAPE!:eek: can i get a HELL YEAH!!!

[Kalliope]

:clap: :clap: :clap: :bluenana: :bluenana: :bluenana: :joy: :joy: :joy: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[Mrelia]

Keepin' my fingers crossed that they don't bail or change it at the last minute...

[Doc Holiday]

Well maybe we'll get some closure on the Nebari story. Perhaps it revolves around Chiana and the resistance. Anyway I am just glad to have an excuse to post again.

[Angel Sarah]

When I got the email from the Watch Farscape mailing list at work today, I actually squealed at my desk and "There's going to be more Farscape!" burst out of my mouth before I even knew what had hit me.

Luckily a couple of my colleagues have seen Farscape in the past so didn't think I was totally crazy, but they aren't real Scapers as such so they weren't that excited.

I don't even know how long it's been since I last posted here, but it's probably been since just after PK Wars aired. I used to live on these boards back then, we wrote letters, we made posters, we sent bras! Ah, those were the days.

It feels like 2004 again. We're getting new Farscape! There's no feeling like it, I'm on cloud nine.

Farscape for ever :D

[theARE]

Frell Yes!!!!!

I've just posted this news on virtually every forum I post at! Best news I've had in ages!

:bounce:

[Dominar of Action]

Woot! :banana:

You know, even if each web-episode is only 5 min long, that's 50 minutes of new 'Scape! This is totally icing on the cake, as far as I'm concerned. Even 5 minutes alone would be sweet. :D

[Anthony Boyd]

I have to admit I haven't said anything on the boards for a long time, but I've been watching the board, rewatching the eps on tv, and telling people or giving people the DVD's.
I'm in the same boat. My last post here was early 2003. But I heard the news and immediately thought, "go to watchfarscape.com to see what info they have." It's nice to be back. I don't post much, but I'll remain in dedicated lurker mode throughout the webisodes.

I have to say that I do hope they are longer than the BSG webisodes. Those things were each only about 2 or 3 minutes in length, which was so short that I found myself a little unimpressed or something -- I couldn't really "get into it" if you know what I mean. The characters weren't on screen long enough for me to get drawn into the story.

Even if the webisodes are just 10 minutes in length, that would be enough for me to feel like I was experiencing a real story. I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best. :)

[scaper4eva]

I've been here or there abouts since the cancellation .... felt the joy at the news of the mini-series ... and enjoyed the buzz that created on the forumn ...

and now all I can say about this latest news is yeeeeeeeeeeeehaw!

And of course I remain on the edge of my seat waiting for more news about the webisodes *fingers crossed*

[waltersgirl]

Absolutely! This is a time to celebrate! :dancemonkey: We can start the critique after we see them. (ooooh, new Farscape stories to critique :eek: ) Personally, I'm really impressed with SciFi for embarking on this creative venture (into uncharted territories . . . hehehe). I realize there are other web tv products out there, but it's not as though it's just done everyday and Farscape seems to be one of the first -- it's an ideal show on which to test the concept.

Let's put our energies into figuring out what we'll be able to do to ensure the project's success! (Of course, that will be easier to do once we know more, but there's no reason we can't start spinning strategies -- or moling ourselves into groups throughout the internet from which we'll be able to spread the word when the time comes.) ;)


atlantagirl speaks wisdom. :highfive:

[Red]

Congratulations, Scapers! This is frelling amazing news. I'm still just completely high on this whole thing. Like John said, sometimes you've just got to wait for the wheel.

Hell yeah, Scapers!

[AnnieBW]

Does this mean that people are going to have to give back all of the costumes???

Seriously, don't worry too much about the "web-only" content. I've been tangentially watching the "TV on the Internet" industry because it's similar to the "phone calling on the Internet" stuff that I keep track of for my job. This IS the new medium. The great thing about it is that ANYONE can produce content. If you want a good example, check out Star Trek New Voyages (http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/). I saw their second episode over the weekend and it was fan-frelling-tastic!

More Farscape??? :partytime

[Dominar of Action]

Congratulations, Scapers! This is frelling amazing news. I'm still just completely high on this whole thing. Like John said, sometimes you've just got to wait for the wheel.

Hell yeah, Scapers!

Ah, your "pisher was glempy" brings back such fond memories! But I'm so high on this news today, I don't think even pisher could bring me down :D

Until reports suggest otherwise, I'm gonna hope that Skiffy and Henson aren't going to all this trouble for just a few minutes of story. *crosses fingers*

[JMax]

W00T! :D

[PEACEKEEPER GARO]

To be a huge success I would think that each new Farscape webisode would need over one million total hits/views. This could be the quantitative stat that persuades Skiffy to bring some incarnation of Farscape back to TV. I was checking Youtube, and the highest amount of hits/views for a Farscape based video was just under 30,000 total hits/views. Do you guys think we have the numbers to reach seven-digits in total hits/views of the new webisodes?

[JMax]

Ah, your "pisher was glempy" brings back such fond memories! But I'm so high on this news today, I don't think even pisher could bring me down :D

Until reports suggest otherwise, I'm gonna hope that Skiffy and Henson aren't going to all this trouble for just a few minutes of story. *crosses fingers*

OMG! pisher...now that beings back some fun memories...:mischief:

[atlantagirl]

To be a huge success I would think that each new Farscape webisode would need over one million total hits/views. This could be the quantitative stat that persuades Skiffy to bring some incarnation of Farscape back to TV. I was checking Youtube, and the highest amount of hits/views for a Farscape based video was just under 30,000 total hits/views. Do you guys think we have the numbers to reach seven-digits in total hits/views of the new webisodes?


Are you using a "gut feeling" to come up with that number? Do you have any reason to believe that's actually a legitimate gauge? I have a feeling we're going to need to do real research (hoping MediaSavant is still around along with CosmicTheorist -- who I see still posts regularly :) ) to quantify what kind of numbers will constitute a success. One thing Scapers have been pretty good at is coming up with real numbers. Be careful about throwing out numbers with no factual basis -- that can be kind of demoralizing and we don't need to get demoralized on the first day out of the box. Remember, this is a marathon, not a hundred yard dash, so let's try to marshall the troops, wait for details on what kind of product is really being put out (and when), get some research done on comparable web-based tv products to see what kind of statistics even exist for this type of thing, and then plan our strategy accordingly.

I know one thing for sure . . . Scapers can move mountains when they are motivated.: :multi:

[Wolli World]

To be a huge success I would think that each new Farscape webisode would need over one million total hits/views. This could be the quantitative stat that persuades Skiffy to bring some incarnation of Farscape back to TV. I was checking Youtube, and the highest amount of hits/views for a Farscape based video was just under 30,000 total hits/views. Do you guys think we have the numbers to reach seven-digits in total hits/views of the new webisodes?

If they advertise, they will come. :hypno:

Seriously, I've been checking Matt Roush and Michael Ausiello columns on TV Guide and haven't heard anything yet. Think they know? Has anyone emailed them to fill them in on the news? I think I might go do that now. :comp:

[StarsGoBlue]

the television critics were/are all at their annual shindig, which is why the announcement. ;) in the days to come there will probably be more in print about it, as details get nailed down. according to skiffy's VP the deal was just inked, so there's a lot to sort out still.

also, re youtube and farscape vids - don't take those view numbers too concretely. *cough* let's just say that henson's copyright has been looked-out-for, and periodically, material that violates their copyright (ie, entire episodes and/or PKW) has ended up being removed.

:innocent:

[PEACEKEEPER GARO]

Are you using a "gut feeling" to come up with that number? Do you have any reason to believe that's actually a legitimate gauge? I have a feeling we're going to need to do real research (hoping MediaSavant is still around along with CosmicTheorist -- who I see still posts regularly :) ) to quantify what kind of numbers will constitute a success. One thing Scapers have been pretty good at is coming up with real numbers. Be careful about throwing out numbers with no factual basis -- that can be kind of demoralizing and we don't need to get demoralized on the first day out of the box. Remember, this is a marathon, not a hundred yard dash, so let's try to marshall the troops, wait for details on what kind of product is really being put out (and when), get some research done on comparable web-based tv products to see what kind of statistics even exist for this type of thing, and then plan our strategy accordingly.

I know one thing for sure . . . Scapers can move mountains when they are motivated.: :multi:

First off, I didn't mean to sound defeatist and I'm sorry it came off that way. I'm actually very enthusiastic and I personally believe the webisodes will be a hit. But I just wanted to throw the question out for the board.

When I'm wrote about the one million number, I'm using part gut feeling and part TV stats. The Peacekeeper Wars averaged a 1.7 rating that equates close to 2 million viewers. These numbers made Farscape the number one show on non-sports networks among adults between 25-54 and 18-49. I dont think that it would be a great leap of faith that we would need at least 2 million people to watch each webisode in order to reach the equivalent of a 1.7 rating that the Peacekeeper Wars averaged. As I said before, the 1.7 rating allowed the Farscape mini-series to be #1 that night and that is the type of nembers we need to succeed. But since it is safe to assume more people watch TV on the regualr TV sets than web-based videos, I cut the 2 million number in half. That's how i reached that number. Believe you me, I would not state numbers that I just totally pull out of my wazoo.

[PEACEKEEPER GARO]

also, re youtube and farscape vids - don't take those view numbers too concretely. *cough* let's just say that henson's copyright has been looked-out-for, and periodically, material that violates their copyright (ie, entire episodes and/or PKW) has ended up being removed. :innocent:

Good heads-up Stars, I forgot about that contingent.

[StarsGoBlue]

hee. no worries... it's kind of amusing how, er, often the content in question has cropped up. :groove:

(not talking about fanvids/music videos, of course, but blatant whole-ep uploads)

[vinity]

I'm so HAPPY!!!! Hey Scapers :D

[atlantagirl]

First off, I didn't mean to sound defeatist and I'm sorry it came off that way. I'm actually very enthusiastic and I personally believe the webisodes will be a hit. But I just wanted to throw the question out for the board.

When I'm wrote about the one million number, I'm using part gut feeling and part TV stats. The Peacekeeper Wars averaged a 1.7 rating that equates close to 2 million viewers. These numbers made Farscape the number one show on non-sports networks among adults between 25-54 and 18-49. I dont think that it would be a great leap of faith that we would need at least 2 million people to watch each webisode in order to reach the equivalent of a 1.7 rating that the Peacekeeper Wars averaged. As I said before, the 1.7 rating allowed the Farscape mini-series to be #1 that night and that is the type of nembers we need to succeed. But since it is safe to assume more people watch TV on the regualr TV sets than web-based videos, I cut the 2 million number in half. That's how i reached that number. Believe you me, I would not state numbers that I just totally pull out of my wazoo.

Don't worry. You didn't sound defeatist -- a little daunting, perhaps ;) but not defeatist. I wonder how TV ratings actually translate to web-based TV content? Or if there's even enough comparable content out there for there to be any kind of established measure of success? Or if there's even any standardized way that the industry as whole tracks stats for web-based content and reports it?

I don't believe YouTube stats are really relevant since there are too many other ways that people have access to the original Farscape episodes (including syndication and DVDs). If SciFi.com is (and remains -- no pirating!) the only place where people will be able to view the webisodes, it would be a very different circumstance than what you have with YouTube. I've certainly never gotten an episode from YouTube because I have all the DVDs, but I'll definitely go to SciFi.com to view the webisodes.

I don't doubt that online Scapers (assuming they find out about the webisodes) will be more than willing to go to SciFi.com to view the webisodes. The challenge will be the Scapers who have never participated in the online campaign and aren't particularly internet-friendly (and there are a surprising number of them!). We will not only have to find a way to get the word out to them, but also to convince them to go online and view the webisodes there.

Hopefully, SciFi is planning to do significant advertising during its own programming to promote the webisodes. I don't think it would take too long a spot to pique the interest of a lot of Scapers out there -- I can just hear Claudia saying, "Farscape continues in all new episodes on SciFi.com" (that would perk my ears up).

Sorry, I'm wandering . . . it's late and the wheels are spinning. :bounce:

[The Keeper]

I'm sooo looking forward to this.
I've actually latley been having "I miss Farscape" moments, so this is awesome news!

[PEACEKEEPER GARO]

Hopefully, SciFi is planning to do significant advertising during its own programming to promote the webisodes.

AMEN!

[FarscapeChick]

Hopefully, SciFi is planning to do significant advertising during its own programming to promote the webisodes.
If they don't promote it, you know we will. :D

[TheEeshew]

Bad news for Scapers outside of the US:

I read today on another forum that only those in the US will be able to watch it.

:(

[Nicola]

Do you have a link TheEeshew?

*sad now*

Perhaps those of us in Canada can start lobbying The Space Channel to carry it. They totally lurve Farscape and I think they would be interested. (As long as Skiffy doesn't price it out of the market.)

[CosmicTheorist]

Bad news for Scapers outside of the US:

I read today on another forum that only those in the US will be able to watch it.

:(

The Farscape webisodes will be shown on Skiffy's "broadband network" called Sci Fi Pulse which is part of their web site. If you can watch the videos that are already available on Sci Fi Pulse, then you should be able to view the Farscape webisodes when they come out. Test it for yourself. Here's the link to Sci Fi Pulse and its video library:

http://www.scifi.com/pulse/

Good luck!

[atlantagirl]

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2007/07/farscapes-unlik.html

Here's Mo Ryan's article -- nothing about blocking viewers outside the US, but she says they are planning for each episode to be just a few minutes long (fingers and toes crossed that they're no fewer than 10 minutes each).

[atlantagirl]

Ooh, and here's a quote from a story on vfxworld.com that actually provides information about the venue and stats:

With more than 34 million streams since its launch in April 2006, SCI FI Pulse is dedicated to providing users a dynamic and highly original lineup of online content.

SCIFI.COM is the world's largest sci-fi entertainment website with more than three million unique visitors each month. Its award-winning original content ranges from a renowned technology blog and a daily entertainment news service to the SCI FI Pulse broadband network, which serves millions of streams of original video each month. Its tie-ins to SCI FI Channel shows include the hit webisode series, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE RESISTANCE, which has been seen nearly seven million times, and was the first ever TV network podcast.

Link to full story: http://www.vfxworld.com/?sa=adv&code=3631a5a1&atype=news&id=20381

[Digital>X<Anarchist]

I think that we might have gotten the short end of the stick in the ratings game last time.
With online viewing, the advertisers should get pretty accurate numbers.
Hell Yeah!

[FarscapeChick]

Its tie-ins to SCI FI Channel shows include the hit webisode series, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE RESISTANCE, which has been seen nearly seven million times, and was the first ever TV network podcast.
Is that 7 million different computers or it was just seen 7 million times? (If I watched it twice did that count as 1 or 2)

[atlantagirl]

Is that 7 million different computers or it was just seen 7 million times? (If I watched it twice did that count as 1 or 2)

I think it's 7 million times. I tend to assume that they don't really care whether it's one person watching 100 times or 100 different people since the advertising is put at the beginning of each stream. Of course, they certainly have the capability to determine unique visits but for purposes of reporting (certainly to the media if not to advertisers) I think they would go with the highest number, which would be total views irrespective of whether the same person was watching it over and over or different people were watching it once.

[Wolli World]

Saw this article tonight. This is the first I've seen where anyone has said how long the webisodes were going to be. This guy's take pretty much crushes any hope that if the webisodes do well, then the show might come back. I'm wondering how much this guy really knows? I really don't see how it would even be worth putting up the sets and getting the crew together for just 20 total minutes worth of show?

These are the quotes that seem different from every other article I've seen:

Ten two-minute episodes will be made available online at scifi.com. Other details, including when the mini episodes will start and who will be in them, are pending.

Mixing human actors with puppets and special effects, "Farscape" was often considered too expensive to continue, despite its vehement fans. There are no plans to revive it, Howe says.

Link to the full article: http://www.azcentral.com/ent/tv/articles/0716farscape0716.html

These comments were made by Dave Howe, general manager of the Sci Fi Channel which sound really different from the comments made by Mark Stern, executive vice president of original programming for Sci Fi, in all the other articles I've seen. So...what do you guys who understand how all this stuff works make of any of this or is it too soon to get worked up about anything really?

[Jul]

its way too soon to get worked up about anything.. they just signed the deal on Saturday and there's a lot of things they're still going to have to work through. Have confidence in Henson... this is their baby.

[Rebecca27]

This definitely has potential. I'll watch whatever they come up with, although I'm with everyone else about the episode length. They really need to be longer than two minutes. It's early yet, and the fact that they're even doing this at all gives us hope. :D :D

[theARE]

I think they could do a lot in 6 minutes or so, especially if it's one story over the 10 episodes.

Think about it, a new 1 hour farscape story split in to 10 parts. I can live with that.

About the set think, I agree that it may be too expensive to put everything back together for this limited time, so how about an unseen adventure they had on earth around the time of Terra Firma? They seemed to have been on Earth for a while, and we didn't see it all.

There's potential there for some fun stories without having to rebuild all the sets, and they could have D'argo back without having to explain anything :D

[blue]

Wow. I haven't been coming here every day like I used to. So I miss this AMAZING GOOD NEWS!!

I just went to the scifi portal and saw the Ben Browder segment on Stargate--It's not very long, but he spends part of the four minutes talking about the character of John Crichton (comparing and contrasting to his Stargate character)!! How cool is THAT!

[scaper4eva]

I don't think people outside the US can see it ... I've gone onto pulse and all I'm getting are the adverts, its skips over the actual programme content :(

[scaper4eva]

...No wait ... only some stuff is blocked, I got to the see the Ben S-G1 interview, which was cool :D

[Antrobus]

Wow! I haven't been here in ages, but got the good news through an email from the Boston Scapers!!

Anyway, I'm psyched and Henson rocks for not abandoning the world of Farscape!!

[CosmicTheorist]

...No wait ... only some stuff is blocked, I got to the see the Ben S-G1 interview, which was cool :D

Sounds like the start of a campaign to me! Skiffy is putting original content on their Sci Fi Pulse to attract more web traffic; they sell advertising for their web pages, too! Any non-US resident Scapers should write to Skiffy and ask them to make the Farscape webisodes available for worldwide viewing. Let them know there is a lot of demand outside the US, too, and that their advertisers can reach that worldwide audience through these webisodes.

Jul put the contact info for Skiffy in the main campaign forum. I've snurched them for you:

SCIFI:

Dave Howe, Executive VP/General Manager SCI FI Channel
Craig Engler, Senior VP SCIFI.com and SCI FI Magazine
Mark Stern, Executive VP SCI FI Channel
SCI FI Channel
1230 Avenue of Americas
New York, NY 10020

It couldn't hurt to ask; and it might just get you what you want, more Farscape! After all, their web site can be reached from all over the globe; it would be a business mistake to turn those visitors away from an attraction like these Farscape webisodes.

Good luck!

[Kalliope]

The Farscape webisodes will be shown on Skiffy's "broadband network" called Sci Fi Pulse which is part of their web site. If you can watch the videos that are already available on Sci Fi Pulse, then you should be able to view the Farscape webisodes when they come out. Test it for yourself. Here's the link to Sci Fi Pulse and its video library:

http://www.scifi.com/pulse/

Good luck!

I'm afraid not, when I tried to watch BSG's webisode, I got message that the video is not available from the location I'm in (Europe, Poland).

[CosmicTheorist]

I'm afraid not, when I tried to watch BSG's webisode, I got message that the video is not available from the location I'm in (Europe, Poland).

Then write to them and pester them to keep Farscape's webisodes unblocked.

Skiffy's parent company, NBC Universal, owns BSG, and they have been very agressive in protecting this video content. That's probably why they blocked the BSG webisodes.

The good news for Scapers is that Skiffy does NOT own a piece of Farscape. The only thing they want out of these webisodes is to increase the traffic to and on their web site. I can't think of any good business reason why they would block these webisodes for Scapers outside the US. Web traffic is international.

It can't hurt to ask, and keep on asking until they give you what you want, in the totally polite and persistent way of Scapers, of course.

;)

[StarsGoBlue]

*cough*

Er, perhaps pester isn't quite the strategy we want to use. ;) But definitely enthusiastically suggest that Farscape be available internationally - especially given its history of a global fanbase. :lol

[NebariNookiee]

I just stopped by after beeing gone for a while and saw the great news! Holy dren it's a great day to be a Scaper! My life has meaning again! LOL!

Scapers rule!
:cool:

[atlantagirl]

I wonder if a reason that they block non-US viewers is because of the US-based advertising? I mean, if they are using the webisodes as a vehicle for advertising US products then having viewers outside the US may be irrelevant from a business strategy point of view and it could just mess up their stats if they have to report to Proctor & Gamble or whoever that the commercial displayed 1,000,000 times but 400,000 of those times were to people in countries where the advertiser's products aren't sold. :dunno:

[Kalliope]

I wonder if a reason that they block non-US viewers is because of the US-based advertising? I mean, if they are using the webisodes as a vehicle for advertising US products then having viewers outside the US may be irrelevant from a business strategy point of view and it could just mess up their stats if they have to report to Proctor & Gamble or whoever that the commercial displayed 1,000,000 times but 400,000 of those times were to people in countries where the advertiser's products aren't sold. :dunno:

This may be the reason. It would be great if Henson company considered fully international availability like Sanctuary, where you can purchase HD (or standard) quality webisodes for reasonable price from every corner of the world.

[kre]

fun stuff to come back into. i heard about it on the Yahoo! NYC scapers list and it's great news. one thing that's a bit hard to track...there seems to be a couple of threads here in different forums that are overlapping. i'm wondering if maybe someone should combine them or seperate them by theme.

[waltersgirl]

it's not doing any harm to have a couple of threads in different forums. not everyone visits this forum; some go only to the main forum to look for news.

[Hmpf]

Just adding my *squeee*. :-)

[Spider01]

This news is Fellin awesome.
I can't wait, well i guess I have to, but still, I'll be on the edge of my seat in Antici











pation

[winter_jasmine]

The Farscape webisodes will be shown on Skiffy's "broadband network" called Sci Fi Pulse which is part of their web site. If you can watch the videos that are already available on Sci Fi Pulse, then you should be able to view the Farscape webisodes when they come out. Test it for yourself. Here's the link to Sci Fi Pulse and its video library:

http://www.scifi.com/pulse/

Good luck!

Unfortunately it doesn't look like the webisodes are available in the UK either. I can view some content, interviews, fan vids etc., but not the BSG webisodes. I assume this is because of the advertising, no point allowing people outside the US to view the eps as they won't be able to respond to the ads anyway.

Naturally the letter to skiffy is printing as I type ;) but I wonder what the best approach is? Is Skiffy more likely to allow international viewers access, or is it possible that another distributer will buy the webisodes (eg the BBC) or that they might be made available without ads for purchase internationally? I'm not sure how these things work, but I'm sure someone round here knows :)

Jaz

*waves hello*

[Jul]

Skiffy has a number of international websites (UK, France, Germany, etc) were they distribute Farscape currently, and it's a possibility they might release it through those websites, but one never knows.

[Kalliope]

I hope somebody is going to ask Brian Henson at the Comic Con next week about international availability of the webisodes. Sanctuary like website where everybody can purchase the webisodes would be much better idea, IMO.

[Jul]

I'm positive somebody will ask about the international availability of the webisodes.. One of us will ask at comic con ;)

[waltersgirl]

we will, j? that's just...silly. :lol

seriously folks, we will, i *promise*, try to get as much info as we can at Comic Con for ya'll.

[StarsGoBlue]

heh. alas, poor henson, all they wanted to do was pimp the skrumps and maybe make a little panel announcement. :lol

[waltersgirl]

silly humans.

[aerynmoon]

Hi all--like many others, I've come back here once I heard The Frelling Spectacular News. I'm also keeping my fingers crossed for longer-than-a-couple-minutes episodes, as I saw the BSG webisodes and while good, they were much too short (as someone else said, too short to get into in a meaningful way). But then again, I'll eagerly take whatever they give us, and use it as a springboard to ask for more. :D

If they're just now in the creative planning stage of what to do with the deal they inked, perhaps Scapers' loud roar will help them make creative decisions we like? Maybe in the next couple of weeks we could have more influence on what we get than we've had in the past? I also agree with previous posts that said Scapers are capable of moving mountains when we're motivated...

[Digger]

I only come and look here every once in a while now, but it sure is nice to see so many old familiar "faces". Jul, Blue, Stars, Cosmic Theorist, Dominar of Action, Waltersgirl, etc. It's like the old days. Frelling cool.

:hi:

[blue]

Nice to see you back, too, Digger!!

[StarsGoBlue]

hee. nice to have the old guard back again. :joy:

[Jul]

Hey Digger! :D :hi: great to see you :D

[PEACEKEEPER GARO]

I really hope, now with all the Farscape buzz, that Skiffy brings the original series back to their network. I don't mean new 44 min episodes(although that would be awesome!), I'm referring to the original 88 episodes. The original series deserves to be back on the network that it belongs on. Skiffy has expanded their viewership since Farscape's heyday back in 1999-2003 with the help of big daddy NBC/Universal footing the bill. And since 2005 (besides the mini-series) Farscape hasn't aired on Skiffy. I''m sure their is an all new audience that hasn't seen the series due to its wacky late-nite syndication hours. (1) New audience + (2) Old audience= (3) Big ratings for any new Farscape projects.

[waltersgirl]

they'd have to renegotiate a whole new contract. wouldn't hurt to include that in the letter or postcard you send thanking them for the webisodes.;)

[PEACEKEEPER GARO]

Good Idea WG

[waltersgirl]

thanks. :D

and, imho, i think snail mail would have a bigger impact with Skiffy for the outside the US folks...international postage makes an immediate visual without anyone having to search for content.

[MrFlibble]

Wow. WOW. WOW!! It's been a long time since I was here, and this is more than I hoped to see. It surely rates a "HELL YEAH!!". :D

[easypeasy72]

time for me to write to the bbc and ask them if they would consider bringing the webisodes to the uk, I'm guessing that the sci-fi channel involvement in this stretches only as far as the united states, the franchise is still owned by the henson's. Unlike the sci-fi network the beeb gave the tv series the respect it deserved........
Its quite a bitter pill to swallow that skiffy is involved in this re-incarnation as I'll never forgive them for killing the show in the first place, nor ill i forgive them for urinating on sg1 from a great height. The henson corp should follow mgm's example and make farscape "straight to dvd" like sg1 is going.

[Zinny]

How did I miss this news for so long?!

Yay!

[FARSCAPE FAN]

WAHHOoooooo YES YES YES I'm SO EXITED!!! I can't wait!!! I LOVE FARSCAPE!!! YES! YES!! YES!!!

[BillFrugge]

WAHHOoooooo YES YES YES I'm SO EXITED!!! I can't wait!!! I LOVE FARSCAPE!!! YES! YES!! YES!!!

Easy there, big guy! ;)

[AuroraLamia]

If you ask me, I would have to say I almost fell out of my chair with excitement when I found out the frelling news

so can I get a hell yeah!? Yeah, we all know everyone is going 'Hell Yeah' even those who are pretending their not but secretly are dancing around their house in their nudie pants *points no fingers at anyone*

[scaper4eva]

I'm happy there's still talk about the webisodes and that people are discovering the news still...
But I'm worried, the whole writers strike delayed things, and I dont want the webisodes to just suddenly disappear off everyones radar...
The Boom Comics news was certainly a boost, and they seem to be in the hands of some actual fans, whereas with the webisodes they're in the hands of sci-fi... and I'm less then happy about that, they made promises about future farscape before and they havent exactly treated the show the best.

But just for the sake of all the new farscape stuff happening, I'm soooo excited! Hell Yeah!!! (I didn't even try to pretend I wasnt going to :D)

[cantrip]

I had heard rumor. Very, Very cool!

I'll even add a "Hell Yeah!" ;)

[Crackers DO Matter]

Any new word on the Webisodes ? I did a little googleing and didn't come up with anything ... I WANT MY FARSCAPE !!! ... ok ... I'm better now.

[scaper4eva]

I agree, wheeeeeeeeeere's farscape news???

[shamecube]

google search yielded nothing....sigh

[jpinMoya]

I keep hoping to hear more on these webisodes, but I am begining to wonder about them.....

[Clarsax]

It doesn't look promising, does it?

[Saand]

Hard to imagine they make a couple webisodes without having plans to take it further if it works. The Farscape ratings weren't that bad, and maybe now 6 years it isn't as expensive anymore to produce farscape episodes, hey one can hope :) . I just watched a youtube video called Farscape - Kissing You, it still gives me chills... it has over 103,000 views by the way.

On a different note I was reading they cancelled Stargate Atlantis today... hey one can hope.

Maybe a scaper could make a promo video for the webisodes put it on youtube and see how many views we can get that video?

HOPE ! 6 years and counting

[Crackers DO Matter]

HOPE ! 6 years and counting

Ditto ... and welcome to FMD Saand !!!!:) :)

[Wildman0240]

I for one can't wait for them to get these up, though I agree that sci fi might mess with it, I think anything new right now would be great.

Anyone know when these are supposed to come out?? I mean how long will we be waiting here??

[SteelMagnolia867]

I know! I just revived my love of Farscape like... two days ago (it was dormant for a long time). But, when are these eps COMING!!! I'm ready!

[PEACEKEEPER GARO]

I just wanted to give you an update from the Farscape Convention today regarding the Websiodes. I was able to ask Ben Browder for an update on the webisodes and he was really hush hush about it. Basically, I asked if he had any updates, and he simpy replied "yes". I asked if he could elaborate, and he said "No" but that he had a lengthy conversation with TPTB but could not say anything further. With respect to Virginia Hey, she was also very hush hush but asked us if we would like her in pink make-up rather than blue. And finally, Adam (I think his name was Adam) who was the MC of the convention said he had heard, but could not expand, that the wheels were turning on the revival of the show, but he didn't elaborate in what form, probably the webisodes. I hope this helps some people get an update from this years con.

[SpyderDan]

I just wanted to give you an update from the Farscape Convention today regarding the Websiodes. I was able to ask Ben Browder for an update on the webisodes and he was really hush hush about it. Basically, I asked if he had any updates, and he simpy replied "yes". I asked if he could elaborate, and he said "No" but that he had a lengthy conversation with TPTB but could not say anything further. With respect to Virginia Hey, she was also very hush hush but asked us if we would like her in pink make-up rather than blue. And finally, Adam (I think his name was Adam) who was the MC of the convention said he had heard, but could not expand, that the wheels were turning on the revival of the show, but he didn't elaborate in what form, probably the webisodes. I hope this helps some people get an update from this years con.

Thank you so much for the update. The lack of news on the Webisodes has been ridiculous. Glad to hear things are still moving along.