Sci-Fi Storm

The CW’s newest superhero, The Flash, became the network’s most watched debut in the Live+3 ratings with 6.42 million total viewers, rising 33% over the same day ratings it started with. This boosts it over previous record holder The Vampire Diaries, which still had stronger Same Day numbers from it’s debut in 2009, but did not rise as well in even the Live+7 numbers, which were lower than The Flash‘ L+3.

Meanwhile, across the dial, Fox’ Batman-origin Gotham series, set its own records, with the highest L+7 boost in the 18-49 demographic of 2.7 points to 6.0, or an 82% increase. This has convinced Fox to increase the show’s episode order from 16 to 22.

Ascension, Syfy’s upcoming event series, will air on three consecutive nights in December, starting on Monday, December 15th, at 9/8c.

Created and written by executive producer and showrunner Philip Levens (Smallville), Ascension is an ambitious original drama following a covert U.S. space mission launched in the 1960’s that sent hundreds of men, women and children on a century-long voyage aboard the starship Ascension to populate a new world. Half way into their journey, as they approach the point of no return, the mysterious murder of a young woman causes the ship’s population to question the true nature of their mission.

The series stars Brandon P. Bell (Hollywood Heights) as the confident and capable First Officer Aaron Gault, Brian Van Holt (Cougar Town, The Bridge) as the eponymous ship’s Captain William Denninger, and Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) as Viondra Denninger, the captain’s beautiful, manipulative and dangerous wife (who also serves as the ship’s Chief Steward).

Joining Bell, Van Holt and Helfer are Tiffany Lonsdale as Chief Astronomer Emily Vanderhaus, Andrea Roth as the ship’s head doctor Juliet Bryce, Jacqueline Byers as her daughter, Nora Bryce, and P.J. Boudousqué as Nora’s love interest, James Toback.

Ascension is produced by Lionsgate Television and Sea to Sky Studios in association with Blumhouse Productions. Jason Blum (Stranded, The River, film franchises Paranormal Activity and The Purge) is an executive producer on the project along with Ivan Fecan, Tim Gamble and Brett Burlock on behalf of Sea to Sky Studios. The event series will be co-financed and distributed by Universal Cable Productions and Lionsgate Television.

Syfy announced today it is partnering with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s Pearl Street Films and CBS Television Studios to develop Incorporated, a futuristic espionage thriller set in a world where corporations have seemingly unlimited power. This will be the story of one man’s efforts to beat the system.

David and Alex Pastor (Selfless, The Last Days) will write the pilot. Ted Humphrey (The Good Wife) will serve as executive producer/showrunner, with Damon, Affleck and Jennifer Todd also executive producing. Pearl Street Film’s Margaret Chernin will serve as associate producer.
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