Sci Fi channel promotes UFO probe

The Sci Fi Channel is campaigning to persuade the US government to be more forthcoming and aggressive in investigating UFO sightings.

The television network has hired a Washington lobbyist, received support from John Podesta, a former chief of staff for Bill Clinton, and sponsored a symposium on interstellar travel.

The network will premiere a documentary, Out of the Blue, on Tuesday that methodically lays out an argument that there is something out there.

“It is very, very tough for people to take this subject seriously,” said Ed Rothschild, a lobbyist for the Washington firm PodestaMattoon.

“We thought the only way it was going to be seriously addressed is to have serious people talk about it, scientists.”

The mission is not entirely altruistic, of course. The Sci Fi Channel polled viewers on the topic, and UFO shows tend to pull in good ratings.