A trend that has popped up for TV shows of late is the mid-season break and making people wait for several months before they drop the heavy end of a two-parter on you. Once all we had to fear were the two-part episode of Star Trek that happened between seasons, but now though, in a quest for even higher ratings, shows have started doing this in the middle of their seasons.

However, in a move that has been met with a mixed reception, SCI FI has announced that Stargate Atlantis will run straight through the Fall, rather than take a mid-season break. This seems to be a ploy to help Season 4 star Amanda Tapping‘s new show Sanctuary, which will run after Atlantis on Friday nights.

Sanctuary is set to debut Friday, October 3 at the 9:00/8:00c slot with a two-hour premiere, before dropping to the 10:00/9:00c slot after Atlantis. The shows are likely to do well, especially with Atlantis‘ recent increase in viewers, but the science-fiction show is never a guaranteed hit, even if it should be (Firefly anyone?).