Syfy Greenlights Two Seasons of Horror Anthology Series ‘Channel Zero’
NOVEMBER 18, 2015 | 10:00AM PT
Elizabeth Wagmeister

Syfy is continuing to amp up its scripted slate of originals, now with an anthology series that has landed a two-season order upfront.

Variety has learned the NBCUniversal cabler has greenlit twelve hours of “Channel Zero,” a limited horror anthology series, which will feature a different story each season, kicking off with “Channel Zero: Candle Cove,” based on the tale written by Kris Straub, which gained popularity online as a “creepypasta” — user-generated horror stories that are passed around the internet.

“Candle Cove” centers on a man’s obsessive recollections of a mysterious children’s television program from the 1980’s, and his ever-growing suspicions about the role it might have played in a series of nightmarish and deadly events from his childhood.

The anthology, which was first put into development this summer, hails from Nick Antosca (“Hannibal,” “Teen Wolf”), who penned the pilot, and Max Landis (“Chronicle,” “American Ultra”). Both will serve as exec producers on the pair of six-episode installments.

The first, “Candle Cove,” is slated for a fall 2016 debut and the yet-to-be-announced second run will debut in fall 2017, anchoring the network’s annual “31 Days of Halloween” programming event.

“As Syfy’s first ever Halloween original scripted series, ‘Channel Zero’ will transport viewers into the deepest recesses of their darkest imagination, with frightening tales from two of the genre’s most accomplished storytellers, Max Landis and Nick Antosca,” said Dave Howe, president of Syfy and Chiller.

The two EPs commented: “As lifelong fans of experimental horror and science fiction, from ‘The Twilight Zone’ to ‘Tales from the Crypt,’ we are overjoyed to have the opportunity to offer exposure to a new generation of creators. ‘Channel Zero’ is a great opportunity to explore new frontiers in the genre, in a way that allows us to really dig in and get weird.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with Max Landis and Nick Antosca to bring these brilliantly macabre stories to life,” said Jeff Wachtel, chief content officer of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment. “Fans are in for a haunting, spine-tingling ride.”

“Channel Zero” marks the latest collaboration between Syfy and the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment-based production company Universal Cable Productions.

UCP is also producing upcoming Syfy originals “The Magicians” and Gale Anne Hurd’s “Hunters,” which are both set for 2016 debuts. Also coming up on the cabler are scripted dramas “The Expanse” and “Childhood’s End,” which both bow on Dec. 14.