Spot on. Why a Wednesday spot and not even repeated.

Really enjoyed last night episode.

Managed to press record for this just in time after Sky randomly deleted it from my planner

Yes, they definitely expected it to flop, that's why they gave it an 8m lead in from an equally warm and cosy show. Damn BBC! They clearly set out to ruin it etc.

It hasn't worked out but the reasons why it's in the slot it is are clear and valid. The reception by those who are watching is very positive so I can see them giving it another chance with a different slot.

I had already asked on the ratings thread about the AI (appreciation index) as I expected it to be very high (anything in the 90s is amazing and Doctor Who this series gets around 8.2 - 8.4 for comparison).

Nobody has posted one yet and I cannot find anything on the BBC site.

In next week's Radio Times there is yet another letter asking why this family friendly show is not on at a time when families can actually watch it. Like a thousand other people have said from the start this IS a Sunday evening series. It most definitely is not suited to the 9 pm mid week audience expecting heavy stuff and post watershed activities.

The ratings have dropped by around 1.2 million from episode 1 to 3 (almost 25%). At just under 4 million it still beat Scott and Bailey on ITV (which very much is a 9 pm drama) - but by a tiny amount. As ITV are allowed to add the +1 audience (ie those who watch at 10 pm on that channel - BBC 1 not having a +1 channel) then Scott and Bailey 'wins' on that basis by over 300K viewers.

The slightly good news is that episode 2 via catch up added around 1 million extra viewers and so rated similarly to episode 1 overall despite getting 700K fewer viewers live.

So far then the two episodes have been watched by around five and a half million viewers each.

Episode 3 would need to add more still on catch up over the next week to reach that level. But if it gets close and if it also has a high AI (which I expect given the near universal praise of all who have actually watched it) then I think the BBC might give it a second series and schedule that a bit more sensibly.

Another factor might be how well this series sells abroad. It looks an eminently watchable show in practically any country. So if it does well in that respect it can often be enough to secure a second run on its own even if UK ratings are not fantastic.

At around 4 million rising to 5.5 on catch up this would not be disastrous. East Enders live often gets figures in the 5 millions and these days rarely outside the 6 million.

Oh, and last week's Doctor Who (the flagship drama) also fell, as did New Tricks, both getting not too much more than Our Zoo.

It is baffling why this perfectly written and acted family drama is not the big hit I expected it to be and the comments in threads like this one imply it ought to be given the near universal praise it receives from those who do watch.

Hopefully, the BBC have enough faith in it to commission series 2.

Loved last night's episode yet again. I really hate the vicar and the woman in the shop!! The scene with the penguins was magical - I thought it was going to be something dangerous and make more trouble. And it was lovely to see more sides to Mew, and that she has more to her than just sulkiness. I was nearly shouting at the TV when they were letting the journalist in!

It's a real shame about the ratings (much as I hate every show having to be measured on ratings these days). I'll admit that I don't normally watch 'heartwarming' period drama - I never watched Heartbeat for example - and if I wasn't a massive Lee Ingleby fan I don't know if I would have tried this. If the ratings keep going down, it doesn't look likely there will be more, as I'd guess with the animals it's an expensive show to produce. But maybe, if those of us who do like really love it as much as we seem to, maybe it will do well on DVD etc, and that might make a difference?

Another her who loves this - it's my programme of the week at the minute - I really look forward to it. I, like so many others, just can't understand why it's on at 9pm on a weeknight - it just cries out Sunday evening. If the BBC are afraid of the X-Factor, then why not put Our Zoo on at 6.00 (even if it has to move to 5.30 later on to accommodate Strictly - or even earlier - they are repeating the GBBO on Sunday afternoons, surely they could shuffle things around to make room for Our Zoo where it obviously belongs.

I absolutely loved the Penguins last night - I sat in my chair with a huge grin all over my face.

It needs someone on the radio like Chris Evans, Ken Bruce etc to rave about how good it is and recommend people watch it, or better, record it so their kids can watch it.

Same really heartwarming show

I expect they might repeat it early Sundays like they do some of the original afternoon series that work there (eg Land Girls and Father Brown).

But they obviously believed in the show to put it after Bake Off without I suspect really appreciating that this slot might look great for a drama but only IF this was a 9 pm type drama. And Our Zoo cries out for a more easy watching spot.

Probably would not have got much above 4 - 5 million (if that) at 6 pm due to less people watching.

I am hopeful that the BBC, not being as ratings driven as ad based networks, will see the value in a show that works and is quality drama. That is why the AI figures matter. The BBC love shows that the audience who do watch applaud as they might even win them awards.

4 million live and 5.5 million total is not a flop. Not a hit either though. So little room for more of a fall in the weeks to come.

I also enjoyed the penguins but had to laugh at how quickly the water filled the lion (?) enclosure.

I am not sure why this is not on at a time when children can watch? There is nothing offensive about or in it. Imo they would love it.

8pm sunday is the perfect slot. Ive got 2 friends watching through word of mouth though. Wish I'd not come on here earlier as I expected the penguins but still a great scene. Loving the dr now although I thought him a bit young at first. Very Matt Smith. Council/water board guy a W1a stalwart also.W1a coming back I see

Turning into the BBC highlight of the week - a Gem of a Series.....but still scratching my head, over the time this is on - 9pm - whatever day, 8pm is the no-brainer of a time, for this delightful drama.

Our Zoo is my favourite tv show right now. It's just so heart-warming, and even the characters I don't like I can still empathise with. I like that the Vicar isn't an all-out villain but a bit more subtle with it. The best thing is that, despite knowing how it turns out, I'm still drawn in by the drama of the Zoo perhaps failing.

It is interesting reading the history of the family and the people and the zoo.

I emailed Points of View over how good Our Zoo is and a spokesman said they are getting a lot of positive feedback over it. I get the feeling it might feature on this week' s edition.
This show should be massive. Everyone who actually watches it, loves it. I hope iPlayer boosts it's overnights.
Although, Scott and Bailey and the Mottersheads are having a slanging match, I suppose we should be grateful it's not got the 'death slot' opposite Downton Abbey this week. "My Girl" has that unenviable place, poor devils.

I'm another one who didn't expect to like it. The title wasn't very enticing for something on at 9pm in midweek, im usually looking for an adult drama or murder mystery. But the trailers and the cast list persuaded me to give it a try, and I think it's great.
I really can't understand their scheduling for this one. People are crying out for family friendly programmes and this ticks all the boxes. There's something in it for everyone, based on a true life story, well acted and not too saccharine even for an old cynic like me.

Why is there so much obsession on here about ratings. If you enjoy it, watch it. Others may not like this kind of programme. It seems that some people want this to be like Call the Midwife and maybe BBC thought that too.

I'm really enjoying this series but I'm annoyed with the way the BBC is treating it.

The first episode wasn't shown in Scotland till 10.35pm, because of an Independence debate, with no repeat, then I noticed next week's episode is on BBC Two.

I know it is a pain I think BBC scotland should have put the footy on bbc 2. Also it wont be in HD this week unless u wait and watch on iplayer. The first ep I watched on bbc 1 London

This was featured on Points of View this week. All positive feedback, except for comments as to why it isn't on earlier and/or on Sunday. They had a video comment from a young boy saying it should be on earlier so he can watch it!
No official response from the Beeb on this though.
I really hope this is recommissioned. The thought of no more Mottersheads and the animals would, to paraphrase George, "take beauty from my world".

I agree, it is my favourite programme at the moment, really feel good TV!

Great episode again tonight !...such a touching sweet drama series on many levels !..the little girls acting is brilliant ..!

I agree but everything about Our Zoo is compelling and watchable. Another good episode tonight and I finally figured out the vicar - he's not only two faced he's a coward.

I love going to the zoo so I watched this right from the start. I have always wanted my own zebra in the garden ................

I've been doing a bit of reading up and Lizzie was about 10 years older than her husband in reality, I didn't know that.

That vicar is a tosspot. I don't know if he was real or not.