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Looks like audiences were interested in checking out not only the new name of SciFi Channel, but its newest show as well.

"Warehouse 13," the grounded science-fiction series from "Battlestar Galactica's" Jane Espenson, was Tuesday's most-watched show on cable, and chalked up the third-best premiere in the newly rechristened Syfy history with 3.5 million viewers, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

That puts "Warehouse 13" right behind the series premieres of "Stargate: Atlantis" and the network's continuing most-popular show, another grounded series called "Eureka."

"Warehouse 13" had a lot of competition, especially in terms of publicity and such leading up to the premiere. The biggest distraction was the highly covered funeral of pop star Michael Jackson.

The new show stars Eddie McClintock and Joanne Kelly as two Secret Service agents who end up looking for artifacts that belong in an Indiana Jones-like warehouse in the middle of nowhere.

The pilot was written by Espenson and D. Brent Mote. Espenson has worked on a number of shows as a writer, including BSG's upcoming telemovie "The Plan" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." She most recently wrote for "Dollhouse," the new Joss Whedon series on Fox. Espenson has won a Hugo for "Buffy."

Syfy has made a commitment to focusing on grounded shows such as "Warehouse 13" and "Eureka," but also recently said it was looking for a space opera-type show along the lines of "Battlestar Galactica."

Other new shows on the Syfy slate coming up later this year and next year is "Stargate: Universe," the third series in MGM's Stargate franchise, as well as the "Battlestar Galactica" spinoff "Caprica."

"Warehouse 13" airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Syfy.