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The Season 5 premiere of "Stargate Atlantis" had 1.8 million viewers last Friday, up 6 percent over the Season 4 premiere in September 2007 making it the winner in its 10 p.m. timeslot among cable networks.

The premiere episode, which is the first to star Robert Picardo in the lead role, drew some 1.05 million viewers among 25 to 54 years old, a 9 percent improvement over the Season 4 premiere. It also received a household rating of 1.3 for an 8 percent improvement.

The last new episode of "Atlantis," "The Last Man," had a 1.5 rating in March, according to Nielsen Media Research.

There was a controversial change that took place in this episode. Col. Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) lost her command of Atlantis and was replaced by Richard Woolsey (Picardo), a member of the International Oversight Advisory committee.

Fans have had mixed reactions to the command change, but so far the rating numbers haven't shown a negative response.

Tapping left 'Atlantis' to produce and star in the upcoming SciFi Channel show "Sanctuary."

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