Editing Stargate SG-1 (section)

=== Showtime and US syndication (1997–2002) ===
The American subscription channel [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] ordered the first two seasons of ''Stargate SG-1'' with 44 episodes total in 1996.<ref name=dvdlegacy/> The two-hour pilot episode received Showtime's highest-ever ratings for a series premiere with an audience of approximately 1.5 million households in the 8 p.m. Sunday slot of July 27, 1997.<ref name=nyt_farside/><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Richmond |first=Ray |url=https://variety.com/1997/tv/news/stargate-showtime-s-home-run-1116678643/ |title='Stargate' Showtime's home run |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=August 1, 1997 |access-date=March 26, 2009}}</ref> According to the ''SG-1'' producers, a broadcast network would have cancelled ''SG-1'' after a few episodes, but Showtime put no pressure on the show to "deliver the meteoric ratings the way network shows do".<ref name=spi_cruising/> The show was consistently the channel's most-watched program (including theatrical movies),<ref name=nyt_appeal/><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Dempsey |first=John |url=https://variety.com/2000/tv/news/tv-biz-s-gay-pride-parade-1117790288/ |title=TV biz's gay pride parade |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=December 13, 2000 |access-date=March 26, 2009}}</ref> so Showtime ordered a third and fourth season of 22 episodes each in July 1998.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Morgan |first=Richard |url=https://variety.com/1998/biz/news/mgm-posts-larger-loss-1117478828/ |title=MGM posts larger loss |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=July 27, 1998 |access-date=March 18, 2009}}</ref>

Since ''Stargate SG-1'' was expensive to produce, MGM arranged an agreement with Showtime that ''SG-1'' could air in syndication six months after their premiere on Showtime.<ref name=v_stakes>{{cite magazine |last=Dempsey |first=John |url=https://variety.com/2003/tv/news/cablers-raise-syndie-stakes-1117892381/ |title=Cablers raise syndie stakes |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=September 14, 2003 |access-date=March 26, 2009}}</ref> All 22 [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] owned-and-operated local stations aired the first seasons after their Showtime debut, providing a clearance of 41% of the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Moss |first=Linda |title=Showtime's 'Stargate' going to Fox in syndication |magazine=Multichannel News |date=August 18, 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Pursell |first=Chris |url=https://variety.com/1999/tv/news/stargate-fences-in-fox-1117758132/ |title='Stargate' fences in Fox |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date= November 17, 1999 |access-date=March 27, 2009}}</ref> The show was also available on non-FOX affiliated stations in other markets.

The [[Syfy|Sci Fi Channel]] made its largest single programming acquisition of $150 million in 1998 by buying the exclusive basic cable rights to the MGM package ''Stargate SG-1'', ''[[The Outer Limits (1995 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]'' and ''[[Poltergeist: The Legacy]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Richard |first=Ray |url=https://variety.com/1998/biz/news/sci-fi-aiming-high-1117469302/ |title=Sci-fi aiming high |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=March 31, 1998 |access-date=March 27, 2009}}</ref> Showtime decided to end its association with ''Stargate SG-1'' at the end of Season 5, saying that the show still had a sizeable viewership but could no longer draw new subscribers due to its availability in syndication.<ref name=mcn_200>{{cite magazine |last=McNamara |first=Mary |url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/123363-Stargate_200.php |title=Science-Fiction Series 'SG-1' Is Cable's First to Reach Historic Milestone |magazine=Multichannel News |date=May 7, 2006 |access-date=March 30, 2009}}</ref>