There's half a ton of research and evidence that says that timeshifters are keener and more committed viewers (which is why, no matter what happens on the night, timeshifting holds up.

Live is when the show is most able to add on the casual viewers. Which, bearing in mind the competition over the past two weeks, is the key problem so far this year.

That said - a look at previous series shows that the casual viewers come and go, in big numbers, very easily. Which gives this series some hope of bigger numbers as the series continues.

As has been pointed out, numerous times, on numerous threads, the lowish numbers on initial broadcast are increased dramatically by all the various methods of catch up watching. Plus the actual numbers of viewers for ALL TV shows are down considerably across all channels at all times of the day.

I've not watched either episode so far this year on transmission. And for the foreseeable future I'll be watching via the iPlayer as I'm busy most Saturday evenings. But I'm still very committed to watching Doctor Who and resent the implication that I'm not 'bothered' about the show if I don't watch the original broadcast.

Umm well you're not. If you were committed to it it would be appointment tv, but you obviously have better things to do than watch Dr who on a Saturday night so watch when you have nothing better to do or have a lull.

There's no shame in that.

I don't think that's true at all, I can't wait for the next DW episode I read the reviews and watch the trailers and clips that come out in the week, I discuss DW on here or in social situations, I think about DW more than I probably should but I didn't watch the first episode live, I watched it later on iplayer as I had other things on so did that first, we have the means to watch things when its at the most convenient that doesn't mean we are less interested in the program, if I buy the new record from my favourite band if I don't play that album immediately in the car or download it to a device the second its released to listen to it does that mean I am less into it than if I save to listen to it when I get home and can enjoy it at my leisure when its at the most convenient for me, of course not.

People need to get the old way of consuming TV out of their system and this idea that's the only way people show their interest, I can understand why as its been long ingrained in us to be chained to the schedule if you wanted to watch something, but that's not the case anymore and people will consume TV like they do with a movie or a new album, it comes out and they will get it/see it when its most convenient for them at some point in that week.

And FA Cup football every third Saturday on the BBC. And the Six Nations, split between the BBC and ITV from next year.

That's why the series didn't launch until late March in 2005 - not enough space in the schedules to accomodate it for 13 weeks without interruption.

I'm afraid you're wrong. People who regularly timeshift are more likely to commit to viewing a series, and tend to rate what they watch timeshifted more highly.

Appointment to view doesn't have to mean the broadcaster dictating the appointment day and time anymore.

That's why dramas in recent years have tended to increase timeshift numbers, or kept their timeshift numbers stable no matter what happens to their overall ratings.

Common sense alone should show that this pattern does not indicate these timeshifters are recording just for when they have nothing better to do. As it is, the research shows that people mostly make a point of consistently viewing within the week (box setters are still a pretty small component of the overall timeshift contingent).

That same common sense says that, by definition, the live viewing figure is going to include most or all of the casual viewers.

Firstly I'm not some geriatric that doesn't know about streaming, dvr or torrents.

Sorry but if you cannot wait to watch something or are looking forward to it all week you don't suddenly do other things during the programme. If you are excited about something that much it is appointment tv no matter what platform you're watching it on.

Appointment tv is when you have to watch it as soon as it airs. Not pottering around doing other things and you'll get to watch it when you can. That does show a lack of priority or interest.

I'm not chained to any schedule but if I want to watch something that bad I'll go out of my way to watch it asap.

You're missing the point entirely. Its not about outmoded viewing platforms or habits it's about showing enthusiasm for something in which you cannot literally wait to watch. Obviously this new season hasn't been to your palette and is no longer important enough to watch asap.

It isn't a dig or criticism.

Life gets in the way, I didn't watch the first episode live but I did watch the second episode live, as for this Saturday I don't know either way I'll have to see as it comes, but I am very enthusiastic about the things I love and the TV I enjoy still doesn't mean I'll be able to always watch it live as other things in life sometimes come first.

If there was a beautiful evening with the sun setting and I was spending precious time with my gf (both being DW fans) I'd rather have some quality time sitting and yapping under a red sky and then watch DW later when its night than go in when it airs and miss out on that other enjoyable experience, watch what you love when it best suits you and you can enjoy it the most. sometimes that is when it airs sometimes its later on.

It's not necessarily a case of "better things to do" or even not being committed. I missed watching Ep 1 live and had to catch up when I got home at half 8 because a family dinner for my brother's birthday overran. What was I supposed to do, insist that we got home at exactly 7:40 so I didn't miss the ep? Or possibly refuse to go for dinner at all? The simple truth is that Who is appointment TV for a lot of people but not all appointments can be got rid of and frankly shouldn't be. If you have a busy life and you can watch Who an hour or two hours later when you get home without worrying then even the most committed fan (which I am) doesn't NEED to watch it the second it airs, even though the majority of the time they (I) will try to because they (I) don't want to wait. (Yes this is a personal anecdote but I cannot be the only one who uses timeshifting this way). It was different back in 2006/7, if I missed an ep then I'd have to just go "oh damn it never mind" or wait for the BBC Three replay with earnest.

What was the live figure?

I am still a big fan of Doctor Who and have looked forward to the series coming back and both episodes so far and have enjoyed them both. I haven't watched either live though. It isn't a case of having better things to do or being too busy. On Saturday just gone I was at home and not doing much when Doctor Who aired but I still watched it later. Why? Because I can.

I have never let TV rule my life, no matter what is on and now I have sky +, And a smart to with Iplayer etc it is even easier to watch something when it suits me.

This doesn't mean I am enjoying the show less and that it is no longer must see to for me. As I said before though, I don't let TV rule my life.

I don't know about you, but I personally don't watch anything live. That includes Doctor Who. I prefer to watch my favourite shows when I'm comfortable, preferably in bed just before I go to sleep.

Are you sure it's not a dig at those you don't consider enthusiastic enough? Cos it really, really sounds like it.

I think it's great that nowadays I can schedule my TV watching for my convenience rather than at the convenience of the schedulers. For me DW is "must watch" TV but there are other things in life that are much more important, like family and friends than any TV show could ever be.

Back in the day either you watched something when it was on or else you missed it. It used to be the mark of a fan that you'd drop everything to watch your favourite show when it aired. That's no longer a requirement for fans and casuals alike.

Why restrict yourself when you don't have to?

I've not watched any appointment TV (as in TV that I have to watch the second it airs) since the Olympics.

Yeah these days its easy (in my case normal) to go without watching TV as it airs yet watch the good programs out there, in fact watching the second episode of series 9 as it aired last Saturday is the only program I've watched live this year, and last year the only thing I watched live was a chunk of series 8 of DW and I watched most of the Apprentice live as it just happened to be at a convenient time for me to watch.

I always watch stuff now within the night to a few days after something airs, whenever its best for me to watch it.

I agree, major event sport is about the only thing I consider MUST watch live. I did adjust my life around the Olympics when it was on.

I am a F1 fan, but won't stay in for it.

Umm, yes I am. I would prefer to stay in and watch Doctor Who on a Saturday, but I have two teenage children who need my time (and a lot of driving about) on Saturdays.

They require my attention, a TV show, no matter how much I like it, comes second.

Don't arrogantly assume I have nothing better to do.

So you're both saying the Olympics is more important than Dr Who?

Surely you don't need them to explain to you the inherent difference in the nature of recorded drama series and live one off sporting events? It's pretty simple and basic stuff.

Not more important, just more need to watch live. I will rarely make a point of catching up on a sporting event that I have missed, bar the odd clip on the net. Where as Doctor Who is a must watch - but I will fit it in to suit me.

Same here. No way I was missing the Wales game last Saturday! In two minds about this Saturday's rugby.....I do like watching Who live, but most other stuff is usually on catch up these days.

Come to think of it. I didn't even watch the 50th anniversary episode live. I made an impulse decision to go and watch it in the cinema, realised that there wouldn't be enough time for me to get to the cinema before it started so booked a later showing instead. Go me and my laissez-faire attitude!

Really I don't know what I'm even doing here. Is there an Olympics forum that I can join anywhere?

I still am actually sad enough that I will delay plans (never cancel though) and make my Saturday fit around Doctor Who. But even then especially when I'm out afterwards or trying to fit it in its not always the best way of watching. It's much better when you can relax and devote your full attention to it which is so easy these days. In fact the last two episodes I have watched LIVE but missed a lot on first viewing and went back and watched them again as soon as I was home. And enjoyed them more. There is still a slight thrill in watching it live but no one's awarding any badges if you do. It's more out of habit than anything. And it's not remotely comparable to sporting events. Part of the magic of any sporting event is the fact its happening right there and then in that second and everyone is watching it together in a collective state of not knowing or anticipation. Doctor Who is in the can whatever happens. It's been done. It's written. Even Match of the Day is slightly dull for me even if I avoid the results because I know it's taken place. There is something unique and special about sitting down to watch the match or the race or the innings with millions of other people and all being the same boat of not knowing what is happening next. So you can't even begin to compare own against the other. There's just no comparison.

Absolutely. There is a difference between sports and a recorded drama.

Is the result of a sporting event different if you watch a recording of it?

Is watching Dr Who just as exciting when everyone has already told you what happened?