Syfy

The Sci Fi Channel (originally branded as SCI FI, but rebranded Syfy as of summer 2009) is an American cable network dedicated to broadcasting original and syndicated science fiction programming. From 2006 to 2008, it broadcast the revived Doctor Who.

The network, which is affiliated with NBC, was originally offered broadcast rights to the 2005 series, but rejected it. The reasons given in contemporary news reports and fan forums was that Sci Fi passed because the show was considered "too British", and because of quality concerns. Ultimately, however, Sci Fi changed its mind and belatedly began airing the revived series in 2006. By 2008, it was broadcasting the series within a couple of weeks of its UK telecast. Also in 2008, Sci Fi began airing the spin-off series The Sarah Jane Adventures. It did not receive US broadcast rights to Torchwood, as those went instead to BBC America.

The broadcaster is regularly criticised by fans for its editing of episodes in order to fit in commercials.

In May 2009 it was announced that Sci Fi/Syfy had lost the first broadcast rights to The Next Doctor and the 2009 specials in the US, which aired on BBC America. BBC America subsequently also obtained first broadcast rights to Series 5. It's not known if Syfy still plans to air rebroadcasts.

The network has also chosen not to broadcast Series 2 of The Sarah Jane Adventures; as a result, the season was released to DVD in the fall of 2009 without having first been broadcast in North America.