Yes, that sounds confusing. It was weird to write also. Even though we watch Stargate on the Sci-Fi Channel, Sci-Fi does not own the rights to the franchise. They are allowed to telecast the shows, but they don’t own them. MGM owns the rights to do with the franchise as they wish.
One of the many theories of why Stargate: Atlantis is ending is that it’s so MGM can take advantage of the potential profits in moving Atlantis to the DVD medium.
So if the confusion is clearing up a little bit, would now be a good time to mention that the Sci-Fi Channel has purchased the U.S. television rights to televise the made-for-DVD movies? Yep. That’s what they did. This purchase also includes rights to the new upcoming series, Stargate: Universe.
With the rights under their belts, the Sci-Fi Channel is planning to air the DVD movies next season as Sunday night movie events.
The senior VP of programming for Sci-Fi, Thomas Vitale, says their plans are to show Stargate: Ark of Truth, in early spring, and Stargate: Continuum, late in the spring.
Tentative plans are for Stargate: Universe to air in July 2009.
Additionally, Sci-Fi ordered from MGM an SG: Atlantis TV movie to follow up after Atlantis‘ 100th and final episode. We probably won’t see that movie until near the end of next year and it will most likely be a filler for when Universe takes a mid-season break.
There are also plans in motion for a third SG-1 movie. I look forward to that.
If you don’t recall, Ark of Truth concluded the Arthurian storyline of SG-1’s final season.
And Stargate: Continuum, which is being considered for inclusion to the Guinness Book of World Records for the “Most Northerly Filmed Shoot,” is a stand alone movie episode.
When I saw Continuum, I really enjoyed it. Of course, watching it on the deck of an aircraft carrier might have had something to do with it… or watching it with the stars of the movie might have juiced the event up for me too. Nahhh… it was a good movie.
It sounds like Sci-Fi Channel is putting their focus into one of their more robust franchises and keeping their fanbase alive with ongoing developments and plans. It’s good to hear they’re tying to keep the electricity alive for the fan who are still energized about the franchise.
Source: MultiChannel News, Image: SciFi.com
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