Sci Fi Channel Sees Uptick in Ratings

Posted on January 13, 2009

Sci Fi Channel scored a ratings coup last Friday night with the season finale of Sanctuary and the series finale of Stargate Atlantis. Stargate Atlantis was really growing into a great show, with some standout episodes this season, such as the one where Rodney goes to Earth and all the real live physicists guest starred as .... physicists trying to stop a disaster. The finale was also one of the season's better episodes. So naturally the show has been canceled.

The network finished the night as the No. 4 network on cable TV. In the 9 p.m. hour, "Stargate Atlantis'" series finale scored a 1.5 household rating and drew 2 million total viewers. The show wrapped up its final season with an average 1.6 household rating and 2.1 total million viewers, up 14% and 5%, respectively, from the previous season.
"Sanctuary" performed to similar numbers, posting a 1.6 (2 million). The episode, part two of the season finale, gave the series its best performance since its debut last October.

Those are very nice numbers: no doubt the suits at NBC Universal are very happy. It also pretty much guarantees a Stargate Atlantis movie or two, which is a good thing while we're waiting for Stargate: Universe.