The cable network switched to the shortened opening sequences with the July 15 season premieres, following the intro-lite trend of such hit network series as Lost. The regular cast’s names appear on screen during the opening teaser instead.
The extra broadcast time went to commercials, though a SCI FI executive reportedly said later that it was intended to instead add time to the shows themselves — something that had simply not yet been implemented.
Fans almost universally panned the move, which left both Stargate series without their orchestral theme music — especially when Stargate Atlantis was nominated for an Emmy Award for composer Joel Goldsmith’s theme just four days after news of the shortened opening broke (story).
The full-length Atlantis sequence is already airing with Season Two episodes in Canada. The new SG-1 opening, which will include new cast members Ben Browder and Beau Bridges, is expected to debut in the U.K. in October.
New episodes of SG-1 and Atlantis continue in the U.S. through the September 16 and September 23 season finales. Following the fall rerun break, the second half of the season is expected to commence in mid-January on SCI FI.
(Thanks to Morjana at SG1-Spoilergate for the tip)