RETRO REPLAY #1: The Sci-Fi Channel (promos from its first years in the '90s)

NEW SERIES: This is the first of many videos spotlighting the memorable promos from the early years of popular nostalgic channels and other networks that have since changed their programming to more modern fare. The Sci-Fi Channel was launched in 1992 and all of the commercials in this compilation are from the channel's first 7 or 8 years (before it became Syfy). Coming videos will feature TV Land, Cartoon Network, USA Network and many more.

[@BlaineBinkerd]

When it first started, I watched SciFi almost all day. These days... don't hardly turn it on.

[@patrickbywater568]

I forgot how great that channel was when it first started. Unrecognizable these days.

[@robertscott2210]

And now, like so many other once entertaining cable stations, SciFi has devolved into a mind numbing parade of "reality" shows and infomercials 😢 Thanks for the memories, Fred. 👍👍👍

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Robert.

[@melissawickersham9912]

This is before Bonnie Hammer got her grubby paws on the channel.

[@pinballshawn]

The Sci-fi channel really started off strong. Nice to have a look back to remember how good it was.

[@bridgetmccracken1381]

I loved the Sci-Fi channel back in the day, these days I don't watch TV nor do I stream. Fred your channel is such a blessing thank you!!!

[@FredFlix]

My pleasure, Bridget

[@Ootgreet1]

Special interest cable channels like this were like "improv" in the old days. I remember a robotic talking head thing that Sci-Fi did every so often to make some kind of futuristic statement. They really tried to put you in the zone for the channel. Changing the name to SyFy and adding wrestling shows dumbed down the channel to Food Network level.

[@jeenkzk5919]

Yeah I remember watching this channel when we got one of those huge satellite dishes! We were in the country and that was the only way to watch cable back in those days. Great times

[@luisreyes1963]

Another sad reminder of how a Cable TV network such as the Sci-Fi channel was at its peak, now but a mere shell of itself. If only they became a streaming video service & retained its former glory. Thanks, FredFlix. 👽🤖👾🛸🚀

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Luis. We are somehow nostalgic for channels from the '90s that featured nostalgic stuff from the '50s to '70s.

[@dougbrowne9890]

OH my! Back when it was worth watching all week! Thanks for the reminder Fred!

[@FredFlix]

Sure thing, Doug.

[@TeresaLovesRetro]

We were so excited when the Sci-Fi channel premiered. We watched it all the time. Now I don't watch it at all. Thanks Fred for these memories.

[@FredFlix]

A lot of people feel the same way, Teresa.

[@bobberndt9744]

These got me to imagine a new mash-up. "Dune Tremors".

[@Ootgreet1]

Kevin Bacon as Paul Atreides! Lol

[@sparky955]

My late husband called our then cable provider daily (honestly, daily) until they added SciFi. It took about a year from the time the channel went live, but we got it. He was always polite, by the way. Kind of makes me sad to visually be reminded how outstanding the channel once was.

[@Onteo1]

Man my VCR got quite a workout in those early years. Thanks for the Memories Fred.

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Onteo1.

[@ChantelleBrown-fb7gy]

That was really enjoyable Fred! My brother loved the sci Fi channel and got me into a few fun things on there!😊

[@maureencora1]

When the Sci-Fi Channel was the Sci-Fi Channel.

[@richelliott9320]

Damn I wish this was on now.

[@tolfan4438]

I remember the start of sci-fi they played a lot of old tv and movies. They would put up a banner telling the source and date of the 1st airing or release. Those 1st years were cool.

[@cam-edy1294]

W video, i wish i was around in the 90s, so i would be able to watch these channels in their primes.

[@Forcemaster2000]

Thanks so much! I'd forgotten how great the Sci-Fi channel was before it became the lame SYFY channel!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Forcemaster.

[@t.j.payeur5331]

Man..great edit..just great, thanks.

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, TJ.

[@arielfilmsinc1926]

Sci-Fi Channel such a great start.................then......................................................................................

[@merce10554]

We didn't have the channel in Spain until 2006 so shows like Quantum Leap I had to watch when and where available and the same went for SF classics. Let's not talk about old TV series. 🤦🏽‍♀️ All this changed with pay tv and my dear YT. We've come a long way, baby. ☺️ I'm going to like this series, Fred. 💜🤟

[@FredFlix]

I'm glad, Mercedes.

[@richelliott9320]

At least we have ME TV and It’s offshoots

[@rolfsinkgraven]

Well that was a waterfall off scary stuff wow, nice one Fred.

[@FredFlix]

Thanks, Rolf.

[@RobertR3750]

The way it was and the way it should be. Now it's crap. Thanks for the look back, Fred.

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Robert.

[@sonnytoo9077]

Thanks Fred 👍

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, sonnytoo.

[@kevinmiles9448]

Please bring back the old Sci-fi channel

[@jimspenser1258]

Sci-fi channel started out awesome and over 5-7 years turned to garbage. It was so good!

[@AMStationEngineer]

Gosh, I miss the Space Family Robinson..... Man, did they ever go for a trip on 'The Crap Express'!

[@stevebishop9468]

How the mighty have fallen...RIP sci Fi channel

[@fredcloud9668]

Good one, Fred !

[@FredFlix]

Gd you liked it, Fred.

[@wdgbirmingham2]

First comment! 🙂This was great!! I miss the 20th Century so much...

[@FredFlix]

We were fortunate to have lived in it.

[@thrashpondopons8348]

AH yes... When the Sci-Fi Channel actually had SCIENCE FICTION!

[@imanbarron3703]

Good Old Days

[@paulneeley7756]

Along with the classics, I liked CNET Central, Trailer Park and SF Vortex/Sci-Fi This Week. The last time I watched Sci-Fi was when it became SyFy…and it started showing WWE and non-sci-fi faire (Law and Order…Really?). That long.

[@ChantelleBrown-fb7gy]

Almost got away without a childhood story! I spent the night with my grandparents every Friday....they lived at the end of my street....and incredible hulk was on. I was 7 and a bit scared by it. I went in my Papa's bathroom to pee and was picturing the hulk bursting through the wall. Got teary eyed. On way out I saw a pill on the floor so gave it too my grandma. She can see I'm tearful so immediately asks if I took any pills. I said no but started to cry still too embarrassed to admit the hulk scared me not drug taking! She called mom mom called poison control and ipicac was discussed as was calling paramedics so I finally told the truth....the hulk made me cry not taking pills and lying!😂 That they believed....I wasn't much of a rule breaker! LoL!❤

[@FredFlix]

That's a typically entertaining story from you, Chantelle.

[@larryaldrich4351]

From Scifi to monster trucks and WWF smackdowns.

[@cam-edy1294]

Smackdown hasn't aired on scifi since like, 2015. Plus, it hasn't been called the wwf since 2002.

[@toshiojohnston3732]

Yes look what happened to mtv is tv land still good?or is it even still on ?what is happening with the cartoon network.

[@joekolosinsky1702]

I wanted this channel so much but the cable company I had didn't carry it it was so amazingly cool finally got it was alot of good shows on it when finally got it now it's a nothing channel I don't even look at

[@simplysteve68]

Yup, THE Sci-Fi channel was great, for about 5-7 yrs, then started showing less and less Sci-fi, and adding more dumbness (the really stupid Sharknado movie series for example! 🤦), then they changed the letters to SYFY, and I'm like "I see whats going on, its becoming more like MTV!", in which at first, they decreased the music vids and added more music related shows, next they cut out more music vids to put on "reality" shows like the Real World, and eventually stopped showing music vids altogether. SyFy still has some sci-fi, but not the full genre programming they used to have. 🤷 Thanks for this trip in the Delorean to the way The Sci-Fi channel used to be, Flashback Fred! 👍

[@FredFlix]

Sure, Steve. Good comment.

[@Emily-Whitfield]

Back when the Sci Fi Channel was good! Its awful now!!!!

[@melissawickersham9912]

You can blame one network executive for the downfall of the Sci-fi Channel: Bonnie Hammer.

[@frankwafer6919]

💯🤍👍thanks for the retrograde!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Frank.