The UK Sci-Fi Channel have announced that last night’s premiere of the 2008 Knight Rider revival was a huge ratings winner. The press release follows:

London, 13 May 2009: NBC Universal Global Networks today reveals that the premiere of brand new Knight Rider has delivered its SCI FI channel’s best series ratings since the first run of Heroes in 2007. Over half a million viewers tuned in for the high-octane, feature-length pilot which guest starred David Hasselhoff.

The premiere made SCI FI the #1 non-terrestrial entertainment channel amongst all adults in digital cable and satellite homes.

SCI FI also enjoyed a steep uplift amongst young adults, with 33% of viewers aged 16 – 34, up nearly 60% on the channel’s average. Surprisingly, women aged 16 – 24 outnumbered their male counterparts in the same age group by 6 share points, proving that cars aren’t just for the boys.

Jon Farrar, Programming Director (UK), NBC Universal Global Networks commented, “We’ve always said that the return of K.I.T.T. is an historic TV moment and the viewers have clearly agreed with us. We’re thrilled with the ratings and really proud to bring such an iconic series back to life on the SCI FI channel. We’ve introduced the show to a whole new age group… a generation of young viewers can finally understand why us over 35s get so excited about a talking car.”

The series is based on the 1980s vehicle which helped drive actor David Hasselhoff to worldwide fame, but has been completely updated for the 21st century audience. K.I.T.T. is now voiced by actor Val Kilmer and boasts state of the art weaponry, plus the ability to transform or change colour. At the wheel is Justin Bruening, an actor new to UK audiences but a well-established heart-throb in the USA after starring in soap opera All My Children. Bruening plays Mike Traceur, the son of original character Michael Knight.

The series will continue to premiere on SCI FI every Tuesday at 8pm and is also available in high definition on SCI FI HD (available on the Sky platform). Following the feature-length pilot last night, Knight Rider will continue in one hour instalments and go back-to-back with the UK premiere of Dollhouse, another highly anticipated fantasy from Buffy creator Joss Whedon, which starts next Tuesday 19 May at 9pm.

Sci-Fi Channel – Knight Rider is Ratings Winner for Sci-Fi

Tonight sees the long-awaited UK premiere of last year’s new Knight Rider series at 8pm on The Sci-Fi Channel!

“Sarah Graiman (Deanna Russo) is a 24-year old Ph.D candidate at Stanford University, following in her genius father Charles’ (Bruce Davison) footsteps. But when men attempt to abduct her, Sarah receives a mysterious call from K.I.T.T. (voiced by Val Kilmer) warning her that he’s a creation of Charles, who also invented the first K.I.T.T. 25 years ago — and that her father is in serious danger.

“Sarah and K.I.T.T. track down her best friend from childhood, Mike Tracer (Justin Bruening), a 23-year-old ex-Army Ranger, whom Sarah hasn’t seen since he left home at 18. Having served in Iraq, Mike is now jaded and lost and initially resistant. Eventually he agrees to help Sarah and the two set out to discover who’s behind the attempt to procure K.I.T.T. and find Charles. Along the way, Carrie Rivai (Sydney Tamiia Poitier) plays the agile yet tough FBI agent who has a long-standing friendship with Charles and Sarah. Due to those ties, she is brought into the mix to help in the search.”

All UK fans, don’t miss it!

The long-awaited UK debut of 2008’s Knight Rider series has finally been announced! The series premieres on the SCI FI channel this May, and will also available in HD!

Sci Fi‘s press release follows:

“The iconic 1980s television classic that became a high-speed smash hit comes roaring back to life with this updated, high-octane action series! The new K.I.T.T. design is better than ever! Equipped with a supercomputer capable of hacking almost any system, a nanotechnology that allows it to change shape and colour, and an artificial intelligence that makes it the ideal crime-fighting partner, K.I.T.T. is the coolest ride on the planet!

“Behind the wheel is sexy young lead character Mike Tracer and distracting Mike from his crime-fighting is Sarah Graiman and let’s just say they have ‘history’! Starring Justin Bruening, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Bruce Davison, with Val Kilmer as the voice of K.I.T.T.”

Sci Fi also have a mini-site dedicated to the show, where you can access some video interviews, galleries, forums, and an episode guide! Be sure to check it out at:

Sci Fi Channel (UK) – Knight Rider

Don’t miss it!