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The letters still keep coming to the Rockefeller Center offices of the Sci Fi Channel. Please, they all say, pick up “Jericho,” the science fiction show with a small but passionate following that was canceled in March by CBS, for a third season.
But those letters are falling on deaf ears. The Sci Fi Channel, still viewed by many as a niche network, is no longer a repository for failed fantasy shows cast aside by the broadcast networks. Instead, through a mix of original shows, movies and syndicated reruns (including old “Jericho” episodes but no new ones), the network has expanded its audience, especially among women, chiefly by stretching the definition of science fiction.
It is not just “Star Trek” or “Star Wars” that would fit the definition. Superheroes, Indiana Jones and even the baseball fantasy movie “Field of Dreams” would all be considered part of the genre as defined by Sci Fi’s programmers.
“It’s not just aliens, spaceships and the future,” said Dave Howe, who was promoted to president of Sci Fi from general manager in January. “It’s about asking that simple question, ‘What if?’ ”
The changes evolved over several years. One result is a widening audience, especially among women. In April, for example, Sci Fi ranked sixth in cable networks in the 25-to-54 age group. Growth in female viewers outpaced that in men; 43 percent of Sci Fi’s viewers are female.
The network has been a boon for its corporate parent, NBC Universal. The channel, alongside its corporate sibling CNBC, the business network, has quietly become the focus of NBC Universal’s global expansion efforts.
“For an international standpoint, we really have two global brands,” said Jeffrey Zucker, the chief executive of NBC Universal. “We have CNBC, which is in 400 million homes worldwide. And Sci Fi. Business is universal. And science fiction is such a well-known global genre.”

nytimes.com

PILING UP THE W’s
With their franchise record 21st consecutive victory, the Rockets are in the company of teams with the longest winning streaks in NBA history. The only single-season streaks of 17 or more wins:
• 1995-96 San Antonio Spurs
Note: The 1971-72 Lakers, 1970-71 Bucks and 1999-2000 Lakers won championships.
Sunday’s Lakers-Rockets game has been moved to 2:30 p.m. and will be broadcast nationally on ABC and locally on KTRK (Channel 13).
Mike Breen, Mark Jackson and former Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy will have the call on the game.
Originally scheduled for 6 p.m., the game also will air on KTXH (Channel 20) as part of Channel 20’s 13-game Rockets package.
Much has been made of the Rockets not facing the other teams at the top of the Western Conference standings during their 19-game winning streak, but they also have not faced the Hawks in Atlanta.
They get their chance tonight, with Tracy McGrady vowing not to become the latest victim of the Hawks’ home court.
“They’ve beaten some good teams,” McGrady said. “Once of these days the streak has to come to an end. It won’t come tomorrow.”
Dallas, Phoenix, Utah, Cleveland, Denver and the Lakers have lost in Atlanta this season. The Rockets have lost each of their past three games they have played in Philips Arena.

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