Stargate Universe Posts Strong Premiere Ratings Numbers

Following record ratings for Warehouse 13, Eureka, Ghost Hunters and Destination Truth during its most-watched third quarter ever, Syfys viewership surge since the July 7 brand evolution continued on Friday, October 2, when Stargate Universe premiered to the best franchise premiere performance in four years, drawing more than 2.3 million viewers and besting FOXs Dollhouse at 9PM (ET/PT).

Stargate Universe, which stars Robert Carlyle, Lou Diamond Phillips and Ming-Na grabbed 2.35 million total viewers along with a 1.7 HH rating, 1.32 million Adults 25-54, and 1.12 million Adults 18-49 during its two-hour debut episode from 9-11PM (ET/PT).

Stargate Universe Premiere Highlights

This is the best performance for a Stargate franchise season premiere on Syfy since season 2 of Stargate Atlantis on 7/15/05.

Among Adults 18-49, the 1.12 million viewers is the best performance for a Friday series premiere since Battlestar Galactica debuted on 1/14/05.

Stargate Universe’s 2.3 million total viewers surpassed the 2.1 million total viewers that watched Dollhouse on FOX at 9 PM (ET/PT).

In addition, Stargate Universe is Syfy.com’s best ever Stargate franchise season premiere day in all key metrics and is the second best original series premiere. Stargate Universe’s premiere drove Syfy.com to its best day since 3/28/09 in page views, since 7/7/09 in uniques and visits and since 9/17/09 in video streams on 10/2/09.

Stargate Universe earned 297K page views, 106K uniques, 104K visits and 92K video streams on 10/2/09. Stargate Universe video increased to 174K streams on Saturday, 10/3/09 with the availability of the first episode. Syfy.com earned 1.4 MM page views, 253K uniques, 274K visits and 256K video streams on 10/2/09. Video jumped to 328K streams on 10/3/09.

Actress, Rhona Mitra (Nip/Tuck, Boston Legal), has joined Stargate Universe for the final three episodes of season one. Mitra portrays Kiva, a strong-willed commander of an alien incursion force. Kiva will do whatever it takes to safeguard her people even if it is at the ultimate expense of the Destiny crew.

On the next episode of Stargate Universe, titled “Air”, Dr. Nicholas Rush (Robert Carlyle) leads a mission onto a new planet in search of basic human needs. The Destiny team, including Eli Wallace (David Blue) and 1st Lt. Matthew Scott (Brian J. Smith) are in for an adventure of a lifetime. “Air” premieres this Friday night, October 9th at 9PM (ET/PT) on Syfy.

Edgier and younger in tone, SGU takes the franchise in a dynamic new direction, appealing to longtime Stargate fans and first-time viewers alike. The two-part premiere of Universe was directed by Andy Mikita (Stargate Atlantis, Stargate SG-1) and lensed by Rohn Schmidt (The Shield, The Mist). The series also stars Alaina Huffman, Louis Ferreira, Elyse Levesque, David Blue, Jamil Walker Smith and Brian J. Smith.

SGU follows a band of soldiers, scientists and civilians, who must fend for themselves as they are forced through a Stargate when their hidden base comes under attack. The desperate survivors emerge aboard an ancient ship, which is locked on an unknown course and unable to return to Earth. Faced with meeting the most basic needs of food, water and air, the group must unlock the secrets of the ships Stargate to survive. The danger, adventure and hope they find on board the Destiny will reveal the heroes and villains among them.

Robert Cooper and Brad Wright, of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, serve as executive producers and writers. Stargate Universe is distributed by MGM Worldwide Television Distribution.

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