New episodes return with moderate ratings

After six months off the air — and the rest of the season already airing in other parts of the world — new episodes of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis returned to U.S. television with moderate ratings on Friday, April 13. Both shows turned in ratings numbers consistent with the first half of the season, but down from September’s mid-season finales.

SG-1 returned at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time with “The Quest, Part 2,” earning a 1.5 average household rating (Live + Same Day). This is down two-tenths of a point from part one, which aired on SCI FI Channel on September 22.

The veteran series averaged a 1.54 during the first half of its tenth and final season.

Stargate Atlantis followed at 9 p.m., with a 1.4 rating for “The Return, Part 2.” This is also two-tenths of a point lower than the cliffhanger first part.

During the summer season, Atlantis averaged a 1.58 rating.

SCI FI’s new original series Painkiller Jane scored a 1.3 rating with its series premiere at 10 p.m.

Stargate also aired the new special “Behind the Mythology of Stargate SG-1” outside of primetime, at 7 p.m. The hour-long look at the show’s mythology earned a 0.8 rating for the cable network.

Late-night reruns of Stargate turned in a 0.9 for SG-1 and a 0.7 for Atlantis.

Time-shifted viewing is becoming increasingly important for television ratings measurement, as more and more homes begin using digital video recorders.

New episodes continue every Friday on SCI FI! Don’t miss “Line In the Sand” and “Echoes” this week, starting at 8 p.m. Eastern/Pacific.