What Syfy does

Syfy is a basic cable and satellite television channel, founded in 1970 and headquartered in New York, that specializes exclusively in science fiction, fantasy, and horror programming. The network is owned and operated by Versant Media, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, and sits within Versant's broader cable portfolio alongside USA Network. Syfy distributes its programming through traditional linear carriage (cable and satellite providers), a proprietary SYFY App available on iOS and Android, and streaming partnerships including Peacock and USA Network Live TV.

The company's core product is the Syfy channel itself, anchored by original scripted series such as The Ark (Season 3 premiering July 29, 2026), Resident Alien, Chucky, Reginald the Vampire, Revival, SurrealEstate, Face Off, Star City, and Van Helsing, supported by a library of acquired sci-fi, fantasy, and horror films and series. SYFY WIRE operates as a dedicated editorial sub-brand producing articles, interviews, video, and franchise news coverage across web and social channels (Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, newsletter). Syfy serves genre entertainment enthusiasts — science fiction, fantasy, and horror viewers — as well as fans of major franchises including Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Star Trek.

The business model follows conventional cable network economics: revenue is generated through a combination of affiliate/carriage fees paid by distribution partners and advertising sales, supplemented by streaming-window monetization via Peacock. Pricing for carriage and advertising is not publicly disclosed and is described as quote-based, varying by time slot, program popularity, and audience demographics. The company maintains a lean operating footprint of 51–100 employees, relying on parent-company scale for shared corporate, ad-sales, and distribution infrastructure.

Name

Syfy

Legal name

Syfy

Website

https://syfy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Syfy is a U.S. cable and streaming television network owned by Versant Media, specializing in science fiction, fantasy, and horror programming for genre entertainment enthusiasts, distributed via cable, satellite, the SYFY App, and Peacock.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cable and Streaming Television Network

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

Basic Cable Networks (MPABAFAC)

Keywords

• Cable television network
• Genre entertainment programming
• Original scripted series
• Streaming video content
• Fantasy and horror content

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Syfy is an American basic cable and satellite television channel that broadcasts and streams original scripted series, acquired movies, and genre news content focused on science fiction, fantasy, and horror programming. The network distributes content through linear cable/satellite broadcast, the SYFY App for mobile and streaming devices, and partnerships with Peacock, with a dedicated news division (SYFY WIRE) covering genre entertainment and major franchises.

Product overview

Syfy is a cable and streaming television network owned by Versant Media (formerly NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment's Versant). The network specializes in science fiction, fantasy, and horror programming. The core product is the Syfy channel and streaming platform, which distributes original series including The Ark, Resident Alien, Chucky, Reginald the Vampire, Revival, SurrealEstate, Face Off, Star City, and Van Helsing, as well as comprehensive genre news coverage through SYFY WIRE. Content is available via linear broadcast, the SYFY App, and streaming partnerships with Peacock and other platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SYFY WIRE: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror News section of the Syfy website

Products and services

• SYFY Channel Cable and streaming television network broadcasting original scripted series, acquired programming, and genre entertainment content focused on science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Available to individual consumers via cable and satellite providers.
• SYFY App Mobile and connected-device application providing live and on-demand streaming of SYFY programming to individual consumers on iOS and Android devices.
• SYFY WIRE News and editorial platform covering science fiction, fantasy, horror, and genre entertainment through articles, videos, and interviews about major franchises and SYFY original programming, targeted at individual genre fans.
• The Ark Original sci-fi series produced by Electric Entertainment about crew members aboard spaceship Ark One seeking a new home; Season 3 premiered July 29, 2026. Targeted at individual sci-fi viewers.
• Resident Alien Original comedy-drama about an alien who takes human form and works as a small-town doctor in Patience, Colorado; currently in Season 4. Targeted at individual genre-comedy viewers.
• Chucky Original horror series based on the Child's Play franchise, following the murderous doll Chucky and his human allies. Targeted at individual horror fans.
• Reginald the Vampire Original comedy-horror series about a timid vampire navigating modern life; currently in Season 2. Targeted at individual horror-comedy viewers.
• Revival Original horror series currently in Season 1. Targeted at individual horror viewers.
• SurrealEstate Original fantasy drama about a real estate agency that sells haunted houses; currently in Season 3. Targeted at individual fantasy-drama viewers.
• Face Off Original special effects makeup competition reality series; currently in Season 13. Targeted at individual reality-competition viewers.
• Van Helsing Original action-horror series about a woman with supernatural powers fighting vampires; previously aired, with episodes still available. Targeted at individual horror-action viewers.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Freeform:

Direct peers

• A&E: Disney/Hearst cable network focused on unscripted, reality, and genre-adjacent originals. Comparable as a basic cable network in transition to streaming distribution and facing similar linear-to-CTV audience shifts.
• FX: Disney-owned cable network known for prestige and genre-adjacent originals (American Horror Story, Shogun, What We Do in the Shadows). Directly comparable as a cable network whose identity is built around bold, genre-driven scripted content, with Hulu streaming integration.
• USA Network: Sister cable network under Versant Media, distributing general entertainment originals (like WWE programming and USA Network Live TV). Directly comparable in business model, distribution, and parent-company structure, with overlapping streaming integration via Peacock.
• Bravo: NBCUniversal/Versant-affiliated cable network known for reality and franchise content (Real Housewives, Below Deck). Comparable as a basic cable network with strong franchise IP and audience engagement, also distributed via Peacock.
• TNT: Warner Bros. Discovery's general-entertainment cable network distributing scripted dramas and sports content. Comparable as a basic cable channel facing the same cord-cutting and linear-ad headwinds as Syfy, with parallel streaming distribution ambitions via Max.
• AMC: Independent cable network whose brand was built around genre-defining originals (The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Interview with the Vampire). Directly comparable as a cable network dependent on a single genre's fandom, with companion streaming on AMC+.
• The CW: Nexstar-owned broadcast/cable hybrid network with a slate of genre and superhero programming. Comparable as a younger-skewing entertainment network that distributes via both linear and streaming and has undergone recent ownership restructuring.

Emerging players

• Crunchyroll: Sony-owned anime and genre-focused subscription streaming service. Comparable as a single-genre entertainment platform serving a fan-driven, highly engaged audience similar to Syfy's sci-fi/fantasy enthusiasts, with a streaming-only business model.
• Shudder: AMC Networks' horror-focused subscription streaming service. Comparable as a single-genre (horror) entertainment service competing for the same niche audience Syfy serves, but with a streaming-first, niche-positioning business model.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights4 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/syfy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/syfy
• Facebookfacebook.com/SYFY
• Instagraminstagram.com/syfy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/syfy-channel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Syfy