LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- Following in the footsteps of its parent series, "Stargate Atlantis" delivered the best performance of any series in Sci Fi Channel history.

Friday's two-hour opener pulled in 4.191 million viewers (3.2 household rating), an increase of 30% over last week's record breaking eighth season premiere of "Stargate SG-1" (3.224 million viewers, 2.4 household rating).

In addition to being the highest-rated and most-watched premiere of any series in the network's history, "Atlantis" was the first episode of any series on Sci Fi to deliver over a 3.0 household rating, the first episode of any series on Sci Fi to deliver over 4 million viewers and the top original series broadcast in Sci Fi history among adults 18-49 (1.7/6) and adults 25-54 (2.1/6).

An encore of "Atlantis" at 11:00/10:00c also fared well, earning 2.166 million viewers (1.8 household rating) including 1.294 million among adults 18-49 (1.3 household rating) and 1.390 million among adults 25-54 (1.5 household rating).

Overall, "Atlantis" was basic cable's top draw on Friday among adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, giving Sci Fi Channel top honors in said demographics on the night.