Oh, nothing to do with average AI ratings for the different Doctors, but just that individual episodes that I think are appalling (and which rate really badly on here) can often end up with the same AI as an episode that seemed really good. But I guess AI is the most subjective of all the ratings.

E.g. Love and Monsters has the same AI as Rose.

I completely agree. For every exceptional episode there is just as likely an episode that drags the average. I'm pretty sure one episode in series 4 (SIL if I recall correctly.) Went up against BGT final so it's neither here nor there.

Ah yes.



Perhaps the AI panel was made up of well paid critics.

But to be pedantic one of the Smith special included DT or has that episode been given to both?

The ratings and AI for Journey's End remain the most impressive result in the shows history, for me. To get those ratings on a roasting hot day on the summer, and to get such a positive response from the audience for it was amazing.

The sad thing is the response on this forum by a vocal minority was to spend some days trying to downplay it's success and ridicule the audience who apparently enjoyed it so much. I guess the saying the more things change the more they stay the same mind rather comes to mind in that regards

I was interviewed on Radio Five Live the day before it aired - giving a fan's perspective on season 4 overall, but particularly on the cliff-hanger ending to 'Stolen Earth' (was David Tennant really leaving?). There really was a feeling of 'event telly' with season 4 and particularly the finale that I think we've lost.

I can't say I felt that myself throughout Series 4, except for the the Library two-parter and the final two - which was a celebration of the entire RTD era.

The end of The Stolen Earth can't be underrated. "Doctor Who fever" played a big part in ramping up the end of that series - and we haven't had an event of that magnitude in the main series since. It was a genius move.

That's not to say it won't happen again. I can't tell the future

It's for reasons such as that - why I wouldn't turn down a series of two-part stories. Cliffhangers are key. Cliffhangers are key.

I tend to think it was more a "lightening a bottle" sort of moment, and those come along only very rarely indeed. The 50th had it, at some point in some years time another event may capture it, but it's not something you get every year or something that exists for every episode of an era.

Yes, agree 100%. LOVE a good cliff hanger.

My favourite cliffhanger remains the one from The Empty Child, however…great resolution as well

Although from a media perspective, The Stolen's Earth was TV gold.

Only to Smith, as he was the Doctor in it really.

If Tennant were included, the scores would be.

I love the Stolen Earth because there were multiple cliff hangers as well as the regeneration (Torchwood under fire from the Dalek, Sarah Jane about to be exterminated too).

The Empty Child was superb too - was that the first new-Who cliff hanger?

Sadly not, that would be Aliens of London

I like two parters too. They can, if done well, allow the time within a story for ideas to breathe, to be introduced, developed and used effectively. My criticism of the current era is that too often stories are crammed into 45 minutes. TPo3 main culprit. Two parters can be done badly though and feel padded out with a lot of pointless running back and forth to fill up the running time. Prime example TRF/TAP.

Unfortunately for those of us who like two parters, the received wisdom is that they always loose viewers for part two. People looking to watch will choose something else to watch if it's part two of something they've not seen part one of.

After getting bogged down in iPlayer stuff, I don't think this was left here for posterity

'Lose'

I think the problem is that people may watch Part 1 but then realise there's another part and then can't be bothered. Also, with a week's gap as well, your enthusiasm might wane.

Seems we're heading towards that shift we discussed

Well with the +1 it all depends on what time Who is broadcast as from reading the report BBC 1 +1 won't start till 8pm, CBBC is getting an extra hour (if approved by BBC Trust of course.) Including iPlayer makes sense though in my view.

Apologies in advance for reviving this thread mostly for data which isn't related to Doctor Who. But there is a point


I wanted to open with this quote from Cohen just to say "hey, look, the BBC are looking at this stuff." There has been a lot of discussion regarding changes to BARB data recording and the paradigm shift seemingly taking place in the way many of us watch television. There are two big points which we should take note of as we go in to Series 8.

Firstly, this will be the first full series to fall under the 28 days timeshift data availability. Secondly, online catch-up/iPlayer services are planned to be included in official ratings on multiple platforms. This all makes for a more comprehensive report which broadcasters can refer to. A good example of this has come to light across the pond.

FOX has released data pertaining to an episode of the latest series of 24 over a 30 day period of recording views of the show on multiple platforms similarly to what BARB has now implemented here.

The episode in question aired with 8.3 million on the day it was broadcast. When taking in to account +7, that figure rose to 11.7 million. A repeat viewing attracted a further 2.1 million on the Friday of that week. VOD and streaming services picked up 1.7 million.

What started out as a 8.3 million figure for FOX rose to 15.6 million - an +87% increase. For comparison, the highest rated episode of 24 was the opening episode of the fifth season in 2006 - which brought in 17.01 million. Back then, DVR accounted for 1.6% and the streaming services which is currently delivering the series (Hulu) did not exist. Now obviously in this instance, this is little interest to advertisers. But that, of course, differs from the BBC's situation - and we don't have to take in to account ad rates.

Going in to Series 8, I think it's going to be very interesting to see what we can learn from this data and have a greater insight in to how audiences are watching our show. Unfortunately I can't predict the future so no, this isn't an excuse for any dips that Series 8 suffers. But what should make this even more interesting to watch is that it comes at a time of a new Doctor and turnover of several important members of the production team in collaboration with new writers and directors.

Let us hope that this year can bring about a well-deserved kick up the arse.

But online catch up is still yet to be fully incorporated into weekly stats. No idea yet when this will happen.

It's always interesting to look at other shows in comparison. For example, everyone across the world has heard of Game of Thrones - it seems like everyone is watching it. And yes, it's on HBO, a subscription channel. And, yes, we're not including time-shifting, or viewers on streaming services - but still...

The highest overnight rating GoT has ever had is 7.2 million. In the States.

Public channel or not, the fact that any cult show can get the overnight ratings that Who still does is amazing.

http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/06/16/ga...ale-4-ratings/

'Bump'

Dust off the dust and cobwebs from the thread [cough] ... [splutter]

How do we think this series will do then ratings wise?

Autumn - Winter transmission time should boost the ratings a bit, but a clash with the X-Factor could dent them

Can the show still average 7.5m after 9 years?

Will Capaldi be a boost or drain on the ratings?

Do we still care about overnights?

How important are the I-Player views now, and how will they impact on the final rating?


What say you?

I don't care anymore. If Capaldis different take on the Doctor loses viewers then its a real shame but time the show was put away again for a bit. I didn't want another Tennant or Smith and if that's really what is needed to maintain viewers in this day and age then what a sad state of affairs. One or two incredible seasons of Capaldi and then cancellation is better than interminable fezzes and bad jokes and dashing romantic sand shoes doctor. The scary thing is though that if viewers do drop the BBC will decide that's the only way and it will return sillier, fluffier and more generic than ever.

Sorry. Being terribly pessimistic but i fear the knives will be out the minute there is any drop and the internets Chicken Little collective will be rubbing their hands together with glee.

Predictions for BBC One

Overnights: 8.2m

+7: 10.1m

Not taking in to account screenings, iPlayer & obviously, the global audience.

Perhaps ambitious for a bank holiday, but reasonably in line with the most recent Doctor debut - with an extra bump for what I'm calling "the Capaldi effect."

It's like "the Tennant effect" but better - with brows of discomfort.

Personally after seeing the drop in overnights for all shows lately, I wouldn't go for a overnight rating that high.

I would be happy just to get over 7m... I would say 7.5m Final of 10m