October 28, 2009 | by Bruce Simmons 

Syfy Has Historic Month Of October Ratings

Sci-Fi Channel - SyFy

Syfy had themselves a record-setting month in October.

The 5th season of Ghost Hunters is averaging 3 million viewers.

The much debated Stargate Universe is averaging 2.85 million viewers, and doing much better than the last season of Stargate Atlantis. SGU is currently bringing in 36% more total viewers than SGA, but then again, it’s early in the season, so I’m not holding my breath on any numbers holding up for the entire season.

Destination Truth’s 3rd season is averaging 2.2 million viewers.

Scare Tactics, though only averaging 1.56 million viewers in the Fall 2009 season, it’s up 42% from the 2008 season.

And finally, the surprise statistic for me is that Sanctuary is pulling in an average of 2.4 million viewers.

All of these numbers have added up to Syfy’s most-watched October prime in the history of the network.

“Syfy jumped to #3 in A25-54 and #4 among A18-49 versus all basic cable entertainment networks – its second best monthly ranking ever in these demos behind December 2002 when Steven Spielberg’s record-setting Taken premiered.”

For All The Nay-Sayers, There Are Just As Many Fans

No matter what we think and what opinions some of us may have of these shows, there are many more who do seem to appreciate and enjoy them.  Syfy previously said that their old handle, The Sci Fi Channel, was deterring viewers from tuning in, thinking it was all Star Wars and Star Trek.  Maybe they were right and they’re starting to pull more folk in from all over.  At least the numbers may be supporting that perspective.

In other words, Syfy is powering on, like they said they would.

Source:  Sci Fi Wire

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  • Um, how were they right about Sci-Fi NOT being the way to go? Look at the shows in the list above. I don't see any wrestling up there. :-P

    Seems to me like Sci-Fi related shows are what is bringing in the viewers despite their desire to distance themselves from the niche.

    Vic
  • The culture of that entity has obviously changed considerably. I never saw nearly as many stupid moves and outright unethical lying and spinning of facts when the channel was Sci-Fi. And the reason this channel exists is because of the science fiction shows it airs...there arent any particularly engaging shows it airs which is not science fiction, horror, fantasy or action/adventure. BSG and the new Caprica and SGU shows are not science fiction, they are drama shows set in space/other worlds. It doesnt pass as science fiction to REAL sci fi aficionados. They better get their act together.
  • vin
    @vic
    They're not trying to distance themselves they just want people to realize that they are not just about scifi. That they can air things like the phantom and riverworld,which I cant wait 4 btw
  • 790
    I think the name alteration to SyFy hooks people that this isn't just all about science fiction anymore...

    I'm kidding of course,,, ;-)
  • LOL @ this misleading article. OF COURSE this is a historic month for SyFy, because its now SyFy instead of The Sci-Fi Channel. The name Syfy was officially adopted on July 7, 2009. When SciFi had that name, ANY of the Stargate shows and all of the other great shows they had would smush these paltry numbers into paste. What a pathetic attempt at deception! But I want to concentrate on Stargate Universe, which has obviously FAILED:

    "The much debated Stargate Universe is averaging 2.85 million viewers, and doing much better than the last season of Stargate Atlantis. SGU is currently bringing in 36% more total viewers than SGA, but then again, it’s early in the season, so I’m not holding my breath on any numbers holding up for the entire season."

    THIS IS A SPIN.

    Looking at each episode of SGU, its more noteworthy that from the premiere episode to episode 10 has shown a steady decline, ending in the lowest ever for the series at 1.3 for live viewing (HALF the original number). I ignore the DVR+7 numbers just as the advertisers do. And why comparing HALF a season of SGU with the LAST season of SGA? When you look at the live numbers only, SGU is barely holding its own. But of course, an "average" with the DVR+7 numbers added in makes it LOOK like the show is doing well. Who is watching it? LOL. It will worsen, and that "total average" will come way down by the end of season 1. The show just isnt very good, and the fans have rejected it. The so-called "new audience" (comprised of BSG fans and I guess Melrose Place and Lost fans) just hasnt materialized. I doubt it will.

    But look at Sanctuary...started out as merely webisodes, but now its going into its 3rd season and the ratings have steadily INCREASED. When Stargate fans discover Amanda Tapping's cool character and they see the action and great CGI, they will flock to it. Lets not even talk about the competition that V:2009 will cause. SGU just isnt science fiction, no matter what the drama queens think. The critics usually do not review science fiction because they lack the technical knowledge and analytical mindset to understand it. But they LOVE drama. The critics liked BSG because it was drama, but the fans just thought it was "okay".

    Malozzi wants so bad to be considered a "serious" writer, and he is hurt at the fact that BSG got what he values as "critical acclaim". What he does not acknowledge is that despite the "bubble gum" Stargate writing complete with rubber faced aliens and renaissance fair villages in the galaxy, the success of the Stargate franchise is rivaled by NOTHING except Star Trek....WAS rivaled, that is. Season 2 approval was a mistake. SGU is no longer fixable.
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