Great news for fans of Stargate ... and it comes with an entry into the science-fiction record books.

SciFi Channel has renewed both "Stargate SG-1" and its high-rated spinoff "Stargate Atlantis" for another 20-episode season (each). The move comes to the delight of millions of the two shows' fans who have helped make SciFi the most-watched cable channel on Friday nights.

"SG-1," which now stars former "Farscape" actor Ben Browder, will return for an unprecedented 10th season. This year, it matched the record set by "The X-Files" on Fox for most seasons a single sci-fi show has been on the air. Despite the departure of star Richard Dean Anderson, the show has remained a ratings hit on a night shared with "Atlantis" and with the network's high-powered "Battlestar Galactica" remake. It has averaged 2.4 million viewers per week, according to a press release issued by SciFi Channel.

"Atlantis" has pulled in 2.3 million viewers on average each week, and marks the first successful cable television spinoff in history. The show has come out of the gate strong, and continues to pull in needed numbers for the cable channel, along with a legion of fans that won't go away.

Both shows will go into production in early 2006 in time for a Summer release. The second half of "SG-1's" ninth season and "Atlantis'" second season premieres in January along with the second-half of the second season of "Battlestar Galactica." There is no word on whether or not "Galactica," which held on to similar ratings numbers in its sophomore season, will return for a third season.

SciFi and the company that produces the two Stargate series, MGM, did not state what actors would be returning and if any would be leaving. However, officials did say that Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper will return as executive producers of both series.

Thanks to Elyse for the tip!