SCI FI Channel's award-winning series
Battlestar Galactica will move to a new timeslot starting Jan. 21, 2007: Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, following the premiere of the new original series
The Dresden Files at 9 p.m.
Battlestar Galactica has been airing episodes of its current third season on Fridays at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
The current season picks up the story of the ragtag fleet of human survivors as they flee the Cylon menace. Executive-produced by Ronald D. Moore and David Eick, the series stars Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, Katee Sackhoff, James Callis, Tricia Helfer and Grace Park.
"Battlestar Galactica" is hitching its hopes to Sunday nights.
The critically acclaimed Sci Fi Channel drama will move from Friday nights to Sundays at 10 beginning Jan. 21.
Move will mark the first time Sci Fi has tried an original series on the night -- and the first time since its premiere in 2003 that "Battlestar" will have a new home.
Cabler usually runs a mix of original movies and acquisitions on Sunday.
Third cycle of "Battlestar" is off slightly from last season. Since its premiere Oct. 6, series has averaged 2.1 million overall viewers (down from 2.3 million) and 1.4 million in adults 18-49.
Sci Fi exec VP of programming Mark Stern said there are two reasons for moving the series.
"Broadcast and cable networks realized Friday was not such a bad timeslot, so it's not the easy lay-up it once was," he said.
In addition, he added, Sundays have bigger HUT levels and will be less competitive come January when football leaves the sked.
Frosh one-hour "Eureka" showed that "we can launch a show successfully on a new night beyond Friday," Stern said. "Sunday is the home for premiere programming and for us, that's 'Battlestar.' "
Sci Fi Channel also will debut its detective drama "The Dresden Files" Jan. 21 at 9, where it will lead into "Battlestar." Stern said the cabler is hoping that "Dresden" will bring in a new and broader audience to the latter.
"Battlestar" will have at least two major competitors when it makes the move: CBS' "Without a Trace" and ABC's "Brothers & Sisters."
ScifiWire confirmed today news reported by TV Guide and Variety.com that Battlestar Galactica will indeed be changing its day and time. Started January 21st, 2007 Battlestar Galactica will be on Sundays at 10:00 pm. Fans on several online message boards, blogs and chat areas debate on whether or not this is a good move by the Scifi Channel. In its new time slot it will be competing with shows like 'Brothers and Sisters' and CBS powerhouse 'With out a Trace'. The following are the news excerpts from Scifiwire, TV Guide and Variety:
