The second Stargate series has taken its final bow in the United States, with the finale airing Friday night on the SCI FI Channel. But why was the show cancelled? And what is next for Stargate?
Since many viewers who don’t frequent GateWorld or other Stargate sites may be looking for answers today, we’ll do our best to answer these questions here.
There is a bit of debate on just why the show was ended when it was. MGM and SCI FI Channel jointly announced in late August that the current fifth season would be Atlantis‘s last, as the show moved to the world of TV and DVD movies. Some 48 hours later, they also announced that a new series, Stargate Universe, would premiere this summer.
Low Ratings?
The debate over the show’s cancellation has to do with how great the ratings were a factor. The show’s Nielsen numbers have fallen dramatically over the last five years. In Season One ratings were well over the 2.0 mark; today ratings of 1.2 (Live + Same Day) are typical. Like the rest of television, much of this is attributable to the rise of TiVo and other digital video recorders. More people are “time-shifting” their television viewing, and the industry is still struggling to properly measure the viewers of a television show (and its commercials, which pay the bills).
Though the raw ratings numbers are down, viewership for Atlantis has been inching upward for the past couple of years. When DVR-delayed viewers are accounted for (though they may be skipping past commercials), Atlantis hasn’t lost all that much of its U.S. audience.
DVD Movies? Or Stargate Universe?
Instead of ratings, many fans point to the fact that the studio and network are replacing the show with the third series, Stargate Universe. Was one cancelled for the other (since the producers don’t want to do two series simultaneously again, as well as SG-1 movies)?
According to series co-creator Brad Wright, the matter seems to be more complex than that. The producers, MGM (the studio that owns the franchise), and SCI FI executives sat down in the summer of 2008 to strategize what they felt is in the best interests of the entire franchise over the long term. Add to this mix the typical life cycle for a television show and the importance of full-length movies to the show’s creators, and a picture begins to emerge: In order to make Atlantis DVD movies successful (among an audience much broader than the fan base), they should be made before general interest in Atlantis has waned. If the TV show runs long enough to be cancelled due to low viewership, in other words, the studio won’t be eager to pour millions of dollars into making a Stargate Atlantis movie.
At the same time, Universe was in development and had been pitched to the network the previous fall (and received well). Launching a new series always draws new attention to a network and a franchise, and plans are to make the third series a bit different from its predecessors. (More on that later.)
According to Wright, the three parties mutually decided to end Atlantis and make movies, and then launch Stargate Universe. This would allow the SG-1, Atlantis, and Universe “legs” of the franchise to continue to run together, hopefully far into the future.
Make of all that what you will. The short of it is that Stargate Atlantis was not cancelled due to low ratings — though as Wright recently hinted, significantly higher ratings would certainly have changed the discussion. Rather, when a studio like MGM has found such success in the DVD market (especially with last year’s SG-1 releases, The Ark of Truth and Continuum), the nature of what “cancellation” means has changed. With DVD movies now a major part of this franchise, Atlantis has in some ways been a “victim” of Stargate’s success.
NEXT: The future of the franchise
Thanks for the information. In a way it’s good to know that falling ratings were not the reason Atlantis was cancelled.
Sorry, I’m still not interested in Universe and I don’t plan on watching. But I find it quite fascinating the way suddenly, some new, “older” characters are being added to quell the 90210 comments. But whatever, I”m not buying it. This is a show aimed at a new, younger demographic. The oldies are just tokens.
In all fairness, this Season averaged around a 1.6 HH rating and 5 years ago was like a 1.8 to 1.9 HH rating. Not only has time-shifting changed, but the entire network has dipped. Even shows like Eureka don’t get those 2.0+ stellar ratings anymore. People are going to argue and call it spin, but they don’t understand how it works. In all respect to Brad, no show on SCI FI pulls what SGA/SG-1/Eureka/ECW/BSG used to do. I think the highest rating was a 1.9 for Ghost Hunters. How can they expect epic ratings from a channel that is entirely… Read more »
I feel betrayed.
I keep watching, being a loyal fan and all and what do they do with my favourite show? They cancel it.
Good job, Sci-Fi/MGM.
P.S.
Universe is gonna suck…
Well, I do feel what they did will benefit the overall franchise. It will definitely expand it and make it greater..
and jasong, if you’ve read the character details, (new ones) and the storyline, this show has the potential to be amazingly great.. You will be missing out but it’s no loss to me..
Seems like they’ve never heard the saying “If it aint broke don’t fix it” Now the fate of the Stargate franchise lies in a new untested show Stargate Universe, which if it fails will most likely be the final nail in the coffin for the Stargate franchise. While I’m going to take a wait and see approach on Stargate Universe and cross my fingers that it turns out to be really good, if they really want broaden their market spot wasting time making direct to DVD movies and go all out on a big budget movie that can be released… Read more »
Ok so can we bury the hatchett that it was not ratings that got the show canned? Even if you scratch out DVR the show is still getting a 1.3 HH rating which is enough for the top 5, even 3 most weeks for the network
Insaneboy, why are you betrayed? they ended it with the approval of the creators, are you the kind of person who goes. “how dare they end a 2 season show that had a very specific storyline and wouldn’t have made it past 2 seasons!” Firstly they are making movies, which while not the show are still the same characters with the same actors playing them. Universe is the logical step, why would you make another show that has all of there actors in their mid to late 30’s? what it does is mean you have a time limit on how… Read more »
I myself am getting excited about SGU. We will have more SG-1 and SGA along with a new series. I just have been trying to prove a point that it was not SGA’s performance that led to it’s end. I think a lot of folks see that now.
I think Universe has great potential, especially with Cooper and Wright at the helm. What they did in seasons 9 and 10 of SG-1 was pretty amazing. Personally, I think Atlantis started to go downhill when they left as show runners and let it get decidedly darker in tone. Unfortunately–and this is what has got me worried–is that they are going after the “darker in tone” approach to storytelling. One of the great things about SG-1 was that it stayed optimistic and avoided Battlestar’s “everybody is a scumbag” approach to its characters. So, if they can keep it family-friendly then… Read more »
Lets cut to the chase. Atlantis finale not so good. First we could never get back then we could get back then we move the whole thing to Earth. Dumb as dumb gets. Can’t wait for the new series but what will they do with Atlantis on Earth? And as far as spending money on movies let us face the other reality that its more like a movie of the week than a feature film. Bleed us for the DVD but go cheap on the production. As for ratings, maybe if sci-fi would put it on at a decent hour… Read more »
When Universe fails can they realize they made a mistake and restart production of Atlantis?
The ratings may have stayed the same but the production costs have been going up. The US dollar has tanked compared to Canadian. Atlantis had to get much better ratings than it was to stay profitable. It didnt so it got the axe. Brad Wright talks to the people who made the decision. I’ll believe him before I believe anyone here who thinks they know what happened.
honestly, and I know that there are people out there that are going to disagree, but I think it was more than time that the show ended. It did not end the way it should have. The writing has gone down hill for a long time now and there have been nothing but problems with fully integrating the main characters into a believable team unit – even as far back as rainbow sun franks.
if the writing has been goin down hill for atlantis wouldnt that mean when univers starts the writing will suck to begin with
After what the writers/directors/producers have done with SG1 and SGA, I have only confidence in what they’re capable of and, I really look forward to SGU. As for SGA, while I’ve liked that series (though never even nearly as much as SG1, though that’s a personal opinion, of course), it always seemed to lack some cohesiveness or camaraderie between its characters that SG1 always had and had easily without even trying- One of the most glaring differences was in how relationships and characters always seemed to work well in SG1, and how there was always a strong interconnecting between them… Read more »
dave howe summed things up fairly well. scifi wanted a replacement for battlestar galactica
To the comment made by someone who said “But I find it quite fascinating the way suddenly, some new, “older” characters are being added to quell the 90210 comments.” Your flipping riddiculous. They claimed that they wanted an older lead, which makes sense. General Hammond and Colonel O’Neil were the older leads of SG-1. When SG-1 first started Amanda Tapping was 31, Christopher Judge was 32 and Michael Shanks was TWENTY SIX. In essence these three were a young cast and the aim of SGU is aiming for somewhere around TWENTY SIX. So enough already. It’s not going to turn… Read more »
I hate to say it, but I for one hope that SGU fails.
I know that many will disagree, but SGA wasn’t finished by a long shot. The only reason why I accepted SG1’s fate was because of SGA (had a couple of seasons to establish itself before SG1 was cancelled – SGU won’t have this luxury).
The executives need to learn if it ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it. It isn’t time for SGU yet or should I say Stargate: Voyager.
All I am going to say is I am glad Atlantis is not gone, I hope it goes to big screen at some point…and go SGU!
I’m sorry but I’m still not excited about SGU. I loved SG-1 and I adored SGA (even though in S5, they stripped it of almost all the things that I loved about the show, team-ness and the bickering between John and Rodney, and they crammed romance down our throat with a shovel) but SGU seems too riddled with cliches for me, from the characters (a spoiled party girl, really?) to the premise (ST: Voyager, anyone?). The cancellation of SGA left a bad taste in my mouth, just like the execs idea that fans are like sheep: throw them enough fodder… Read more »
To comments above that the team never jelled in Atlantis, that’s patently ridiculous. The strenght of the series is the fantastic team dynamic and I’m really going to miss it. Roll on the movies.
I am sorry I would rather have had Atlantis continue as a series rather then hoping that each time they actually make a movie for it that my favorite charter/actor will be on it. I am not interested in a SGA movie or even another SG1 movie if the ALL the cast members I love are on it still. They could have had that with the tv show continuing but they can’t promise that with a movie every one or two years, if we even get that. They seem to think that the actors won’t have other jobs and are… Read more »
Stargate SG-1 & Stargate Atlantis Was Two Of The Best Shows On TV & They Are Cancelled The New Stargate Show Is Going To Be Awesome I Know & You Know It But Stargate SG-1 & Stargate Atlantis Should Not Be Cancelled
Well i think that any star gate fan should atleast watch the pilot even if they dont like the intial plot or whatever.
And i aslo dont see why peaple feel betrayed it not the end of atlantis, they made this so hopefully the show and the franchise would live LONGER!!, and a TRUE STAR GATE FAn WOULD SUPPORT UNIVERSE FOR THE SAKE OF THE FRANSCHISE, i mean the same creator gave us SG-1 and atlantis why would unvivers be so much worse? have same faith
I think TPTB are taking a big risk with Universe. The show will carry the Stargate name yet they are looking for a different audience with their “darker, grittier” show. If the older audience doesn’t like it, and this new audience doesn’t tune in, the show (and the franchise) could crash and burn. The worse thing they did was cancel Atlantis and then right away announce Universe. It created a great deal of animosity among the Atlantis diehards. I will watch the pilot and probably the first 2 or 3 episodes. However, I have very low hopes for Universe. I… Read more »
I’d still rather have 20 episodes per season than probably 1 dvd movie per year (but I’m really hoping for more). There were some great episodes throughout Atlantis’s run with some really good character development. Sheppard and Mackay worked brilliantly together. But overall I’m going to miss watching John Sheppard every week. As for Stargate Universe. Think I’ll give it a miss.
IDEA!!!!! keep atlantis and dont do universe. duh.
I’ll be frank – I never liked SGA as much as SG-1, mostly because, as others have mentioned, the cast never seemed to truly jell, and the Weir character was absolutely terrible and weak. I didn’t like the character when she was introduced in SG-1 as a blonde, either – they never seemed to find the right actress to play the part. I appreciated what they were trying to do with the character; I just think they kept missing the boat with it. I liked all the other characters, they had all the elements, but somehow it just didn’t work.… Read more »
I think TPTB are taking a big risk. I was never a fan of SG-1, and soon gave up watching.
I have adored Atlantis from the first episode, and although they have promised a movie, I’ll believe that when it happens. I would much rather have had the 20 episodes that I know would be made, if the series had been renewed.
As for SGU, I won’t watch it – for one thing I don’t like Robert Carlyle, and the other reason; it so obvious that Atlantis was cancelled to make way for it.
Atlantis could have lasted another couple of years, they still had stories to tell. Network execs only look for ways to make more money. I’ve been watching since the start and have everything but SGA season 5 on dvd (will get it when it comes out) – but not even going to watch SGU. I’m not going to support stupid decisions (MGM and Sci-fi), Cooper and Wright are doing everything they can to keep Stargate going for us. MGM and Sci-fi need to realize that younger viewers have better things to do Friday nights!
I loved the shows concept but right from the beginning they made me question the poor plot and script 5 yrs and an intentional trip to steal ZPMs from the replicators they get scared only securing 1 even Todd the wraith was smart enough to steal 3 or more back to plot hole no explanation was given for a superior ancient civilization to not create and keep spare ZPMs even the replicator ancients had extra ZPMs laying around for Todd to steal yes they had plenty to tell and could have created new enemies instead of always searching for the… Read more »
don’t blame ratings or Tivo.don’t think that making a SGA Movie is going to compensate for the cancellation of the show.you DECIDED that SGA would be better off in a movie franchise,not US!!!TPTB could still have had SGA series and movies runnning parallel y.SGA was doing well during it’s first and second season because of the great storyline(s).somewhere along there,brad wright had a dream:stargate universe.so what he did? he decided to ditch SGA and started focusing on another SG series.from then onwards SGA went downhill because everyone was busy mooning over SGU and nobody was writing good scripts anymore.so you… Read more »
My perspective. My opinion. The Sci-Fi channel is a mismanaged channel. It has been for years. Why should their decisions make any more sense in 2008 than they ever have? I would be watching this channel every chance I got if they actually offered up Science Fiction type programming. Sci-Fi plays monster movies every weekend. This is the genius that is running this station. So I don’t think it is a big surprise that any of their shows get very low ratings. Personally, I haven’t watched the channel since they pulled Farscape. I’ve enjoyed my Stargate on DVD where I… Read more »
I think that loyalty is an interesting concept to consider in any business-to-customer relationship. Any “loyalty” the showmakers may have to their customers (us) and to one of their products (SGA) seems irrelevant when they’re making business decisions about an entire franchise. Yes, it’s in their best interest to please millions of customers. But they have to balance the few (and often conflicting) voices they hear with actual sales (ratings, ad revenue). And they have to attract new customers as well. Of course, *our* choices about television are *personal* — and just as self-serving. Any “loyalty” I have to any… Read more »
when is MGM going to realize its SCI FI thats hurting the ratings. i didnt watch the show on TV. i downloaded it from itunes for a fee to watch. when you put wrestling on a Science fiction based network then there has to be a problem. im hoping the new series wont be hurt from this network. and the reason i stopped watchin SCI FI they keep putting shows on and then pulling them for a couple of months and the non-stop commercials are unbelievable
Universe may be the final nail in the stargate franchise. It all depends on if tptb are truly out of creativity. Atlantis suffered from a lack of imagination. Universe may follow.
Face it, the franchise is dying. Writing has been horrible for a few years, Atlantis and SG-1 are surviving on movies. They are hit or miss. One bad movie (or should I say one more bad movie after Ark of Truth’s turd) will kill what is left. SGU is not going to survive. It could be the greatest idea in the world but they just are not writing good stories anymore. Atlantis was canceled because of money. MGM, Sci-fi and the Stargate creators are all after more money. Atlantis had some horrible stories these past few years which resulted in… Read more »
Nice to know that they cancelled Atlantis for no real reason other than….. well I can’t even call that a reason so yeah no real reason. At least the cast is protesting ( you can tell by how bad the last two episodes were)
I just don’t know, and the jury will continue to be out until I see the first episode of SU. I didn’t watch SG1 until it hit Sci-Fi channel (just didn’t want to pay for prem channels!), but I was a faithful viewer after I discovered it! Love SGA as well. The characters have come so far and pulled together well. There were still some rough edges, but they were working. The last episode? Was a bit too much hearts and flowers, and there was a LOT of action that was left out! Granted it was only an hour show,… Read more »
I do plan on watching SU for a while, just to see if the characters gel and what the writers will do. But as a 40-something person who has watched for a long time, I’m just not sure of the character descriptions. A “party girl?” A “slacker”? Isn’t there enough trash on television? If I’m going to invest my time, it better be worth it, or there won’t be any more “investment” on my end.
Frankly, I’d have preferred they went on for one more season to properly wrap up the series like they tried to do with SG-1/season 8. I suppose the economic climate just isn’t supporting two Stargates at once this time.
Unrelated: I also suspect that Universe is going to make extensive use of green-room/CG sets (a la Sanctuary) to reduce cost.
I can’t belive that they cancelled Atlantis. It was an amazing show with an incredible cast! I thought the relationships between the characters were amazing and that all of the main characters in the series were very well develouped. I’m glad that they are at least going to make movies, but I’d rather have the show continue instead. From what I saw of the SG-1 movies they weren’t as good as the series and I am afraid that the same thing will happen to the Atlantis movies. My problem with the SG-1 movies was that it felt like the writes… Read more »
I think what tptb don’t realize is that we eagerly bought up the SG1 movies to tell them that we wanted more of SG1. Then they double whammied us by canceling SGA. I, for one, am not interested in getting to like another show just for them to do the same thing to us again. Burned once shame on you, burned twice shame on me…………NOT AGAIN!!!
Despite the problems I’ve had with SGA and my dismay at its cancellation, I could have gotten over it and become excited about Universe. But now, on top of the previously announced character stereotypes, they’ve announced two more character stereotypes, one possibly recurring: a 50-60 year old man who’s a respected senator and the doting dad to stunningly sexy Ivy League party-girl series regular Chloe, and 30-50 year old accountant who’s the highest ranking IOC member stranded aboard the ship and who has “a false sense of importance and superiority” and “a stubborn way of asserting it,” and who is… Read more »
There’s something that’s been bothering me for quite some time. They say they want a younger audience, Yet, here I am at 23 and wondering how much younger are they wanting? I’ve been having this love affair with Stargate for going 4 years now, I know that’s not as long as other here, but, that aside, I love the shows. SG-1 will forever be my favorite and Atlantis will always have that special allure of the unknown. What do they hope to accomplish by turning their backs on the hardcore superfans they already have? I don’t get it. It doesn’t… Read more »
Some of us knew it was really not about the ratings. Some feel betrayed because the creators went along with or were the reason they decided to cancel.
I agree if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
I will not ever watch SGU. I like SGA.
I loved the original Stargate movie with James Spader so I tuned into the Showtime series SG-1 back in the day to see if I would like it. I did not – for various reasons. However, when SGA came to the Sci-Fi channel with a new set of characters and plotline, I gave it a try and was hooked. I loved the chemistry between John and Rodney (think of a bantering Bob Hope and Bing Crosby). Add a cool sci-fi element and I was glued to my TV set. But in the last year with the addition of Dr. Keller… Read more »
I hate the way Stargate Atlantis ended, but I am not going to judge Stargate Universe before I have seen the first couple of episodes.
I thought Sanctuary started slow, but I am now hooked on Amanada Tapping’s new show.
And as for SCIFI wanting a replacement for BSG – why would that be SGU, when Caprica – the prequel to BSG is in the works?
I am going to wait until I see the pilot and a few episodes of SGU before I make any comment.
All SciFi does is cancel good shows and replace them with their own B/C rated movies. Nielsen use to send me the book to rate shows and I did and sent it back, but they have not sent me one in years. Who are they asking? So far from what Im hearing I dont like the plot of Universe. Well see.
The SCI FI channel also would just put reruns on to and people like me don’t want to see reruns they will just watch the new ones on a different channel and if you wanted to watch it in HD you had to watch it on another channel any way i just hope the realized that. If they wanted high ratings they should of started the new seasons first then every one would watch on their channel
i really dont believe half of what was said in this article. In my opinion, SGA was cancel because of the producers were tired of 40 episodes a year ( i belive that’s the reason why SG1 was cancel), they just prefer to keep the new show SGU instead of SGA. And because they wanted to save money… everything is about money these days. Why do you thing they are reinventing the Franchise with a darker Stargate with a younger cast?? money money money…