Sci-Fi Storm

Per the Morton Report, FremantleMedia Enterprises announced at the Merlin panel at Comic-Con (attended by stars Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Anthony Head, and Katie McGrath) that the BBC has commissioned a fifth series. The fourth series is currently filming and will air in the fall on BBC One and in early 2012 on Syfy.

[Apologies for the lack of news…if you saw on Twitter, I was having hardware problems…]

Syfy has announced that they have picked up the 4th series of the British fantasy show Merlin, to be aired at a future date in 2012. In its third season on Syfy, Merlin averaged 1.93 million total viewers, marking an increase of 12 percent in total viewers compared to season two. Merlin also posted gains in the key younger demo, rising seven percent among Adults 18-34.
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The season finales of both Merlin and Being Human scored big in the ratings for Syfy. Merlin, just concluding its third season, and scored it’s highest household rating (1.3) and total viewers (1.87 million) since premiering on Syfy in April 2010, and a whopping 31% higher than the previous week. With that and its WWE Smackdown lead in that also saw an increase in viewers, it propelled Syfy to the #1 cable network in 8-11PM primetime for both Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 viewers on Friday night.

Monday’s Being Human finale also scored big, becoming the channel’s most successful new winter scripted series since Battlestar Galactica in 2005, entrancing 1.66 million total viewers, 1.0 million Adults 25-54 and 944,000 Adults 18-49. This was the best performance in all three measures for Being Human, which has been renewed for a second season, since the January 24 episode. Compared to last week’s telecast, Being Human rose 17% in Adults18-49, 29% in Adults 25-54 and 16% among total viewers. Being Human is Syfy’s youngest skewing scripted series since Battlestar Galactica in winter 2007, as well as Syfy’s most female-skewing original scripted series ever, comprising 53 percent women viewers through its 13-episode season. Led by Being Human’s strength in this demo, Syfy rose seven percent in Women 18-34 during First Quarter ’11. I wonder if it has anything to do with the Sams (Huntington and Witwer)? 🙂

Maybe Syfy will give us the fourth season of Merlin faster this time – there was a delay of several months over the original BBC airings.

The future of Camelot is at stake. Morgause has destructively stolen the Cup of Life and has created her own immortal army of soldiers to aid her in her quest of becoming the Queen of Camelot. However, Morgana, having her own wicked motives, takes her place on the throne against the will of Uther. Arthur, Merlin and the rest of King Uther’s men must fight against the evil Morgause and twisted Morgana in this final episode to regain their rule over their crumbling kingdom. Be sure to watch the clip where Arthur knights the men of the most noble army the world has ever known and tune in on Friday at 10/9c only on Syfy!

Reminder: This is the Series 3 finale!
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In the next sneak peek clip of the all-new episode of Merlin, Arthur and Merlin are riding horses through the forest as Merlin is questioning his motives and incessantly asks where they are headed. Arthur jokes that if he tells him he has to kill him, but Merlin suspects he’ll end up dead anyways, so Arthur might as well get it over with now. Arthur’s nagging about Merlin being pessimistic gets them stuck with others and potentially set up to be dealt to slave traders. Instead, Merlin is called on to fight a champion in the arena. Fearfully, he hopes it’s not so, but you will have to watch the clip and tune in on Friday at 10/9c on Syfy to find out!

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In the next sneak peek clip of the all-new episode of Merlin, Morgana appears before contestants of a battle created in Camelot where there are no rules and it shall go on until there is one man standing. Arthur looks prepared and confident until Morgana reveals the reigning champion is also taking part in the battle. As fans look on while the reigning champ announces his presence by slaying another, Arthur realizes he better re-think his game plan. Watch the clip and tune in on Friday at 10/9c on Syfy to find out if Arthur will be the last one standing, or if the reigning champ and others make that feat difficult.

In the next sneak peek clip of the all-new episode of Merlin, Morgana is prompted down an eerie hallway by whispers into a room where Morgause appears. Morgana describes a dream that she fears is instead a nightmare of Gwen sitting next to Arthur on the throne and being named queen. Morgause tells her it must be a prophecy because Morgana has a true gift and it shouldn’t be ignored. Morgana says it can’t possibly become true because Gwen is simply a servant. Morgause wants to make it look like she is helping when really she is seeking to stir drama and claims Morgana must destroy Gwen no matter her relationship with Arthur. Watch the clip and tune in on Friday at 10/9c on Syfy to see if Morgana decides to carry out Morgause’s demand or if she decides to halt making her own drastic action.

And don’t forget that tonight there is a new Being Human followed by an interesting Stargate Universe!

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In the next sneak peek clip of the next all-new episode of Merlin, Arthur looks to use Merlin for his own target practice. Merlin clearly doesn’t have his head on straight, but then again, he’s probably much better suited for another activity. When Merlin seems to be holding something back, Arthur tries to drag out more information from him to then hear the Merlin and Gaius have had a falling out. Arthur tries to tell him to let it simply blow over and encourages him with a brotherly blow to the arm. Merlin doesn’t exactly understand the meaning since he claims the knights might be a little thick in receiving the same encouragement. This response only deserves another blow from Arthur. Watch the clip and tune in on Friday at 10/9c on Syfy to see if Merlin can settle the falling out, and if Arthur can give him some real advice.

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In the next sneak peek clip of the all-new episode of Merlin, Merlin finds himself viewing a fight only to realize those doing the punching are looking for money. The collectors decide to chase after Merlin as well. He must flee the scene and catch his breath, but not for too long as he’s quickly found and must make a decision to stay and face the beating or leap from the castle walls and mount a horse to go help Arthur once again. Watch the clip and tune in on Friday at 10/9c on Syfy to see if Merlin is able to escape the pursuit.

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In the next all-new episode of Merlin, Cenred has Gwen cornered and lays out an ultimatum. He threatens her and makes her very aware that she could lose her kidnapped brother that Cenred is holding if she doesn’t deliver Arthur to him. She claims she has no association to the Prince, but obviously both know better. With tears in her eyes, Gwen contemplates what is most important and how she will ever decide while Morgause sits out of sight with a sinister smirk adorning her face. Watch the clip and be sure to tune in on Friday at 10/9c to see what Gwen will decide. Will her love for Arthur win out, or will she decide family ties run deeper?

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