Los Angeles - "Sanctuary," an online sci-fi series that was picked up for TV broadcast by NBC Universal's (NYSE: GE) Sci Fi Channel, became the first such program to be picked up for a second season last week, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The subscription-based, HD online series garnered 4 million viewers, and was later picked up by Sci Fi -- who paid its creators one-third what it normally pays for an original scripted series. The second season was picked up "on better financial terms and a string of international sales in such major territories as Canada, the U.K., Germany and France," THR reported.

Redwood City, Calif. - Video game developer and publisher Trion World Entertainment has signed a co-development deal with NBC Universal's (NYSE: GE) Sci Fi Channel, to create a multiplayer online game that will tie-in with a TV series set to launch in 2010, the Los Angeles Times reported. Separately, Trion on Monday announced its first title is now in development -- a fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online roleplaying game. The new MMORPG will be developed by a team led by Jon Van Caneghem, whose previous titles include "Might and Magic" and "Heroes," and distributed in both North America and Europe.

Los Angeles - NBC Universal's (NYSE: GE) Sci Fi Channel pay-TV network announced on Friday that it will bring its Web series "Sanctuary" to TV, adding that it will figure as the first TV series to use live-action actors against mostly virtual sets, similar to the process used in movies like "Sin City" and "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow." The series, created by Damian Kindler ("Stargate SG-1") and starring Amanda Tapping (also featured in Sci Fi's "Stargate" series), is slated to begin filming in March.

Los Angeles - Vivendi Games' Sierra Online announced on Friday that it will publish a title based on the SCI FI Channel series "Battlestar Galactica" for the PC and Xbox Live Arcade. Developed by Australia-based Auran Games and slated for release in the fall of 2007, "Battlestar Galactica" will feature both single and multiplayer modes.