With the second season finale upon us, many fans are keen to see the next season of "Battlestar Galactica" start sooner rather than later. However they'll have to learn a lesson in patience that "24" and "Prison Break" fans have had to endure this year - a longer wait in exchange for more regular material.

This past season "Galactica" ran the first half of a season from August-November, and then the second half from January-March - a formula that's worked for the Sci-Fi Channel's "Stargate" shows for nearly ten years.

Next year however whilst both "Stargate" series will still follow the old mold, "Galactica" has been pushed back to a fall season premiere. The 20-episode third season of Battlestar Galactica will now begin in October 2006 - thus likely indicating the series will run its course with little to no interruption instead of enduring a two-month mid-season hiatus.

The network did not give a reason for the later premiere date. The show's ratings have dropped significantly this season, along with the rest of the network's Friday night line-up which could've pre-empted the move.