Sanctuary - Multichannel News: Sci Fi Renews ‘Sanctuary’

At Multichannel News:

(Please follow the link for the complete article. Photo of Amanda Tapping at the site.)



Sci Fi Renews ‘Sanctuary’

Network Orders Second Season of Amanda Tapping Series

By Kent Gibbons -- Multichannel News, 11/13/2008 10:49:00 AM

Sci Fi Channel said it greenlit production on a second season of the series Sanctuary, starring Amanda Tapping.

The NBC Universal-owned network said it ordered an additional 13 hours of the hour-long Friday-night drama, which drew 3 million viewers to its Oct. 3 premiere, the most for a new show on Sci Fi since Eureka in 2006. Episodes two through five have averaged 2.2 million total viewers each on their initial airings, according to the channel. Including the series premiere, it’s averaging more than 2.5 million total viewers per episode, with a 1.7 average household rating of 1.7, a 70% improvement over the network's performance in the 10 p.m. Friday timeslot a year ago...

Stargate Atlantis / SG1 - Multichannel News: Sci Fi Buys ‘Stargate SG-1’ Flicks

At Multichannel News:

(Please follow the link for the complete article.)

EXCLUSIVE: Sci Fi Buys ‘Stargate SG-1’ Flicks For Spring ’09 Schedule

Scores U.S. Rights to Premiere Made-For-DVD Movies

By Kent Gibbons -- Multichannel News, 9/26/2008 2:27:00 PM

Sci Fi Channel has acquired the U.S. television rights to premiere both of the Stargate SG-1 made-for-DVD movies released so far by MGM, with plans to make them Sunday-night movie events next spring, network officials told Multichannel News Friday.

Stargate: Ark of Truth, released as a DVD this past March, will air first, in early spring, and Stargate: Continuum, released as a DVD this past July, will air late in the spring, according to Thomas Vitale, senior VP of programming and original movies at NBC Universal-owned Sci Fi.



Vitale wouldn’t reveal the purchase terms, but said it was part of a deal that also included the new TV series Stargate Universe, scheduled to debut on the channel next summer (possibly July).

Sci Fi also ordered from MGM and the Stargate production team a made-for-TV movie to follow Stargate Atlantis, the series that’s wrapping up its run on Sci Fi with the current, fifth season. The 100th and last episode of Atlantis finished shooting last week.

The Atlantis movie might not air until late next year, Vitale said, and could act as a “bridge” when Universe takes a break. Sci Fi generally splits its series seasons in two with several months in between the first and second set of episodes...

Stargate Atlantis - Multichannel News: 'Stargate Atlantis' Ends Sci Fi First Run

At Multichannel News:

(Please follow the link for the complete article.)

Space drama Stargate Atlantis will conclude its run on Sci Fi Channel after the current, fifth season ends next January -- but the network has greenlit a two-hour Atlantis movie to run after that and says the
show will live on as a network franchise...

...Longtime Stargate writers and producers (and Atlantis show runners) Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie will write the Atlantis feature script. Other details, such as how many cast members would participate or who would direct, were not immediately available.

"We're excited to tell Atlantis stories on a bigger canvas," Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, co-creators of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis and currently executive producers on Atlantis, said in a statement. "The successes of the two original Stargate [direct-to-video] movies The Ark of Truth and Continuum have shown us the opportunities that the movie format offers. We have plans for both SG-1 and Atlantis to remain vital as we expand the franchise."

Stargate Atlantis - Multichannel News: ‘Atlantis’ Rises In Ratings

From Multichannel News:

(Please follow the link for the complete article.)



‘Atlantis’ Rises In Ratings

Season-Five Premiere Pulls 1.8 Million Viewers

-- Multichannel News, 7/14/2008 4:24:00 PM

Sci Fi Channel said the Stargate Atlantis season-five premiere—introducing new cast member Robert Picardo—drew 1.8 million total viewers, up 6% over the season-four premiere in September 2007.

Sci Fi said the episode’s 1.05 million viewers ages 25-54 marks a 9% improvement over the season-four premiere and that the household rating of 1.3 was 8% better than the S4 start.

**snippage**

Stargate Atlantis -Season Five Premiere: A Summer Space Romp

From Multichannel News' TV Crush column by Mary McNamara:

(Please follow the link for the complete article.)

'Stargate Atlantis' Season Five Premiere: A Summer Space Romp

July 1, 2008

Heading into its fifth season, launching July 11@10p., SCI FI Channel's Stargate Atlantis is enjoying something of a resurgence. The series concluded the previous year on a ratings upswing, and at some point during the upcoming season, the series will hit the landmark 100th episode.

First, a word about the Stargate Atlantis opening credits. I heart the opening credits.



The season five premiere, penned by executive producer Martin Gero, lets viewers bask in a happy place - at least for now. A little warmth? A happy resolution? What a unique concept. (Battlestar's Ron Moore: are you listening?) 0

**snippage**


So what does this mean for Atlantis as its fifth season premiere approaches? Can it go 10 seasons like it‘s big brother? To be perfectly honest - it’s highly unlikely....as a show moves past its fifth season, the odds are stacked against it. Ultimately, it comes down to the numbers - less the ratings and more the bottom line. The longer a show is on the air, the more expensive it is to produce. Throw in the resurgence of the Canadian dollar, once pegged at 63 cents to the U.S. greenback, it now hovers at par, an approximate 37 cent bump which adds a significant hit to the production budget.....

....And yet who knows what the future holds. WE certainly didn‘t nine years ago when we expected production on SG-1 to conclude after it‘s fifth season. But if and when Atlantis does come to an end, I don’t think it should be cause for anger or resentment. Both MGM and SciFi have been great supporters of the show and, if you go by SG-1’s example, fans can be assured that the end of the series will not be the end of Atlantis. Like SG-1, it will live on in longer form dvd releases.

Highlander / Ghost Whisperer / Charmed / Mork and Mindy? - On SciFi Channel Fall 2009

From Multichannel News:

http://www.multichannel.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA6557490&desc=topstory

(Please follow the link for the complete article.)

Sci Fi Has Love For ‘Ghost Whisperer’

Network Will Stack Hewitt-Starrer, Beginning In Fall 2009

By Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 5/5/2008 12:09:00 PM

Sci Fi Channel, as part of a larger deal with CBS Television Distribution, has secured off-network rights to Ghost Whisperer, which will debut on the network in fall 2009.

Under the deal, terms of which were not disclosed, Sci Fi will air Ghost Whisperer, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, in a weekly four-hour primetime stack, making the NBC Universal network, the only place on TV to see weekly mini-marathons of the show. Sci Fi executives said the network will also schedule programming stunts with full-day marathons.

**snippage**

In addition, Sci Fi gains access to shows in the CBS library: Star Trek: The Next Generation, which will premiere June 2 '08 on the network, Charmed; Early Edition; Highlander; Friday the Thirteenth: The Series; and Robin Williams’ classic sitcom Mork & Mindy, among others.

**snippity doo-dah**

Battlestar Galactica - Video: SciFi Channel Taps Stars for Upfront

From Multichannel News:

http://www.multichannel.com/flashVideo/element_id/2140179683/taxid/30316.html

(Formatted in Adobe Flash Player 9.)

Features Joe Morton from Eureka; SciFi President Bonnie Hammer; and Edward James Olmos from Battlestar Galactica (ahem...the reporter demoted him from Admiral to Captain)...

Stargate Atlantis - Multichannel News: 5th Season Summer Premiere?

NOTE: This news has not been confirmed by the SciFi Channel (that I'm aware of), so I'm viewing this as speculation on the part of Multichannel News. - Morjana]

From Multichannel News:

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6532988.html?q=stargate

(Please follow the link for the complete article.)

Nets Get On With the Shows

Walkout Ends; Cable, Broadcast Get Ready To Roll Out New Programs

by R. Thomas Umstead -- Multichannel News, 2/18/2008

The writers' strike is now officially over. So, it's back to business for cable and broadcast networks — many of which last week announced production and launch dates for new and established scripted shows.

**snippage**

But cable networks will fill their summer schedules with original scripted series. TNT will return The Closer and Saving Grace sometime between June and September, while Lifetime's Army Wives will return in June.

**snippage**

Cable's Post-Strike Scripted Roster


SCI FI CHANNEL

Battlestar Galactica, new season bows April 4

Stargate Atlantis, fifth season to run this summer

Eureka, to be determined

Sanctuary, to be determined

**snippage**

Stargate Atlantis: Multichannel New: Sci Fi Promotes Howe to President

[Good news for scifi fans? Let's keep our fingers crossed!]

From Multichannel News:

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6523017.html?desc=topstory

(Please follow the link for the complete article.)

Sci Fi Promotes Howe to President

Hammer Also to Retain President Title

Linda Moss -- Multichannel News, 1/16/2008 6:38:00 AM

Dave Howe has been named president of Sci Fi Channel, officials said Wednesday.

Previously, Howe held the title of Sci Fi general manager and executive vice president. But in an unusual situation, Howe’s boss, Bonnie Hammer, will retain her titles of president of both USA Network and Sci Fi Channel, although Howe will now be running Sci Fi and its original programming unit will now report to him, not Hammer.

Howe will oversee original development, programming and marketing, global brand strategy and market development, strategic planning, Sci Fi digital (Scifi.com, Sci Fi Pulse, DVice.com), Sci Fi Magazine, media relations and Sci Fi’s recently launched public-affairs initiative, “Visions for Tomorrow.”

**snippage**

Stargate Atlantis / SG-1 - Hey, Nielsen!

The Nielsen Company has launched a new endeavor, with a new web site:

Hey, Nielsen!

http://www.heynielsen.com/

There are some Stargate links:



STARGATE ATLANTIS

http://www.heynielsen.com/view/951

STARGATE SG-1

http://www.heynielsen.com/view/960


You can "rate" each series, using a scale of -5 intense dislike through 0 for neutral up to +4 intense like. (This is at the top of the page, on the left hand side -- just to the left of the series title.)

Currently, SGA is rated with a 470 and SG1 with a 27.

<><><><><>

From Multichannel News, some background info:

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6481032.html?industryid=47200

(Please follow the link for the complete article.)

Ratings Company Launches Hey! Nielsen Web Site

By Linda Moss -- Multichannel News, 9/24/2007 8:18:00 AM

Nielsen Co. Monday began the public beta testing of Hey! Nielsen, an online social-network site for pop-culture enthusiasts who are eager to make their voices heard to Nielsen clients and other entertainment decision-makers.

Nielsen is hoping that Hey! Nielsen, developed with Affinitive, could be an effective mechanism for Nielsen to explore – and define – a wide variety of experimental media and marketing research.

Although the site is still under test and development, users will be able to participate in the site's main functions during this test period.

Members will be able to voice opinions and grade their favorite music, TV show or movie. These ratings and opinions will be available to other members, who can then respond with their own views.

**snippage**

Nielsen said members can contribute to the Hey! Nielsen Score, which will be a measurement system for the "buzz" on a star, TV show, movie and other entertainment property. The Hey! Nielsen Score is a combination of a number of factors including users' opinions and ratings on the site.

**snippage**

Stargate Atlantis - SGA - Multichannel News: Another Weir Rides the Bus

From Multichannel News:

http://www.multichannel.com/blogger/2805.html

(Please follow the link for the complete blog article.)

KENT GIBBONS blog

Another Weir Rides the Bus

September 10, 2007

Stargate Atlantis has the Stargate spotlight all to itself on Sci Fi Fridays, so no more comparisons from reviewers like moi privy to the first two episodes of season four.

But the new setup isn’t all good for all cast members, as fans of the Sci Fi Channel drama already know – and as has been nagging at me since seeing the review disk. Torri Higginson’s character, Dr. Elizabeth Weir, the civilian leader of a key U.S. Air Force installation in another galaxy in the ancient city of Atlantis, has been reduced to a “recurring” role.

Taking Weir’s place in the star firmament of Atlantis is Amanda Tapping, who was the female lead in Stargate SG-1, the MGM show originally starring Richard Dean Anderson that premiered on Showtime in 1997 and spent its last five seasons on Sci Fi Channel. Sci Fi didn’t renew SG-1 for season 11, so MGM is producing SG-1 movies for DVD instead.

Sci Fi tried to promote Higginson, showing off her humor in interviews and behind-scenes videos and showing off her figure a little more in costume on the show. Tapping remains a bigger star, though, even after taking maternity leave in 2005.

My opinion: Tapping’s character of Samantha Carter, the brainy and weapons-trained astrophysicist and Air Force officer, deserves her continued service on Sci Fi in Atlantis’s Pegasus galaxy. Carter’s been tough, brilliant and gorgeous in Stargate roles longer than Weir, and has a big following.

But it would seem there ought to be room for both Carter and Weir, who was badly injured in an explosion during last season’s cliff-hanger ending.

**snippage**

Higginson is expected to return for Atlantis’s midseason finale on Dec. 7.

©2007 Reed Business Information

Stargate SG-1 - Part 2 Christopher Judge Interview

From MultiChannel News' TV Crush:

http://www.multichannel.com/blog/1300000330.html#940013294

(Please follow the link for the complete interview.)

Posted by Mary McNamara on August 20, 2007

Aside from Turner's association, Judge said several times that another key selling point for the project is the participation of Michael Shanks (Stargate SG-1's Dr. Daniel Jackson) as Lucifer. “We’re walking into a network with two guys from the longest running scifi show in history whose show is still making product,” he pointed out.

According to Judge, SG-1 still has several more seasons to air in some of those aforementioned 140 countries, "But now,” he said, “we’re bringing in a new product with two actors that already have recognition in those countries, so our only burden is to be good.”

**snippage**

Judge’s knows what he wants and he's clear about his approach - it’s Touched by An Angel Meets 300. “We're going to recreate the war of the heavens and it will probably be one of the bloodiest battles that's ever been shown on television. I thought it needed to be shot very much the way 300 was shot,” said Judge, although he acknowledged that the undertaking is ambitious. “That's never been attempted on TV. The perception is: it's too costly, too time consuming.”