LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The cable portion of the TCA's summer press tour began yesterday in which the networks outlined their plans for the 2004-05 season and beyond.

Here's the breakdown of Sci Fi's presentation (via press release):

SCI FI TWISTS REALITY WITH NEW NIGHT OF ORIGINALS 'SCI FI WEDNESDAY' DEBUTS IN OCTOBER

LOS ANGELES �- July 22, 2004 -� This October, reality TV gets a makeover � SCI FI style. An all-new night of original series, "SCI FI Wednesday," will give viewers a taste of "alternative reality" TV. Premiering Wednesday, October 6, "SCI FI Wednesdays" will feature the return of the hit series "Scare Tactics" � with new host Stephen Baldwin, and the debuts of two intriguingly original shows that will continue to push the boundaries of original sci-fi programming, it was announced today by Bonnie Hammer, President, USA and SCI FI Networks.

"SCI FI WEDNESDAY" LINE-UP (ET)

"Proof Positive" (8:00pm ET)
SCI FI explores the blurry line between science fiction and science fact in this weekly, one-hour series that uses cutting-edge forensics to test evidence of human encounters with the paranormal. Each episode looks at three stories (including encounters with ghosts and aliens, as well as reincarnation, demonic possession, unexplained lights, etc), all of which contain convincing evidence that the story is true. After the stories are recounted with interviews and documentary footage, the evidence is subjected to rigorous forensic testing by scientists and field-specific experts. Throughout the program, the viewing audience will be challenged to figure out which one of the three stories will be revealed to be "proof positive." Produced by Cosgrove Meurer Productions.

"Ghost Hunters" (9:00pm ET)
Plumbers by day � ghost hunters by night. This one-hour weekly docu-soap from the creator/executive producer of "American Chopper," follows a group of real-life ghostbusters as they investigate haunted houses throughout the country, encountering every type of imaginable haunting. Plumbers by trade, Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, head-up T.A.P.S. � The Atlantic Paranormal Society � a group of intrepid souls that are far from the usual collection of be-speckled Ph.D.s. They're ordinary, everyday people � office managers, factory workers, teachers, and even psychic hotline gurus � with an interest in getting to the bottom of your otherworldly disturbances. Jason, Grant and their team of moonlighting ghost hunters are our first and last defense against uninvited paranormal visitations. Executive produced by Tom Thayer and Craig Piligian of Pilgrim Films ("American Chopper").

"Scare Tactics" (10:00pm ET)
New season. New pranks. New host. SCI FI's hit series returns with all-new episodes and an outrageous new host. Film star and reality TV hero Stephen Baldwin takes the reins as the new ringleader of the world's wildest hidden camera show. "Scare Tactics," a delightfully wicked half-hour weekly series, takes the hidden camera to all new heights. Set up by their friends and family, unsuspecting victims find themselves trapped in totally twisted sci-fi and horror movie scenes. Produced by Hallock Healey Entertainment.

"SCI FI Wednesday" joins the already popular "SCI FI Friday" line-up, which includes the Channel's highest-rated original series, "Stargate SG-1," and its new companion series, "Stargate Atlantis." A new night of original, "alternative-reality" series, "SCI FI Wednesday" continues to push the boundaries of the Channel's ever-expanding brand. The fantastic, speculative, and chilling elements that exist in SCI FI's new night of programming fit seamlessly with the Channel's thriving scripted fiction.

SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 83 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.

SATURDAY NIGHTS POP ON SCI FI

THE CHANNEL ANNOUNCES NEW SLATE OF ORIGINAL ACTION MOVIES FOR 2005

LOS ANGELES �- July 22, 2004 -- SCI FI Channel to present a new slate of high-octane original "Saturday Action" movies set to premiere in 2005-2006, it was announced today by Bonnie Hammer, President of USA and SCI FI Networks. The largest producer of movies or miniseries on television, SCI FI unleashes a brand new stable of creatures, monsters and aliens in 20 new "popcorn" movies that will premiere approximately two per month.

Consistent ratings winners, the "Saturday Action" movies have pumped some adrenaline into SCI FI's Saturday night ratings. In 2004, the films have averaged a HH rating of 1.7 � 3 percent higher than last year's average rating of 1.4. The movies also delivered 25 percent higher P25-54 ratings than non-originals for the time-slot.

Highlights of the new action slate include:

"Locusts"
A swarm of giant locusts eat its way across Missouri, devouring every plant (and person) in sight. Produced by UFO.

"Night of the Sabretooth"
A pair of cloned sabretooth tigers get loose in an amusement park/zoo and terrorizes a group of unsuspecting college students. Produced by IFG Inc.

"Tentacles"
A salvage team encounters a giant mutant squid while hunting for sunken treasure. Produced by Nu Image.

"The Renewal"
An anthropologist encounters two enemy aliens who come to Earth seeking a powerful weapon. Produced by Nu Image.

"The Black Hole Creature"
A government lab accidentally creates a black hole that releases an energy creature. Produced by Nu Image.

"The Griffin"
When an evil wizard conjures up a Griffin � the mythological half-eagle/half-lion � and sends it on a killing spree, two warring kingdoms must join forces to stop the man and his beast. Produced by Nu Image.

SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 83 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.