It's Official: 'Battlestar' Returns With At Least 13 Episodes

In a press released issued by NBCU, the company said SciFi has ordered "a minimum of 13 hours," indicating that it is a partial pickup order giving the network the option to order more episodes based on ratings and other financial and industry factors. "Battlestar Galactica" producer David Weddle told SyFy Portal Monday night that SciFi Channel is still deciding on whether Season 4 should be 13 episodes, or possibly a 22 -- making it the longest season yet for its critically-acclaimed series. "We should have a decision on that soon," Weddle said.

SciFi Channel officials say the show's move to Sunday nights, which is just three weeks old, has been "incredibly successful," allowing the show to grow 8 percent in total viewers as well as double-digit increases in female viewers as well as two other key advertising demographics of adults 18 to 49 and adults 25 to 54. It was not clear what numbers NBC was using a comparison, but likely was over Season 2 figures.

"Taking A Break From All Your Worries," which the network publicly was not happy about since it was supposed to be a lighter episode, brought in 2.5 million total viewers to the show, plus 1.6 million adults 18 to 49, the largest audience for any BSG episode since the Season 2 premiere, network officials said.

"We're thrilled to bring 'Battlestar' back for another season," said Mark Stern, SciFi Channel's executive vice president for programming, in a release. "This series has delivered on every level -- from writing to the acting to the production values."

NBCU also was proud of the awards and recognition BSG has earned over the past year including the Peabody Award, as well as being twice honored as one of the top 10 programs on television by the American Film Institute for two years running. Officials also seemed to be boastful about introducing the expletive "frak" into the pop culture lexicon, a word that has shown up in outside the show, including The CW's "Veronica Mars."

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