Sci Fi Channel said the Stargate Atlantis season-five premiere—introducing new cast member Robert Picardo—drew 1.8 million total viewers, up 6% over the season-four premiere in September 2007.

Sci Fi said the episode’s 1.05 million viewers ages 25-54 marks a 9% improvement over the season-four premiere and that the household rating of 1.3 was 8% better than the S4 start.

Sci Fi said SGA was the fourth-ranked program for Friday, July 11 among 25-54s and that among males 25-54, Sci Fi won the 10 p.m. ET timeslot among cable networks.

Picardo, as Richard Woolsey, replaces Amanda Tapping as commander of the Atlantis-based Stargate crew in the show.