As prevously stated I am not denying the facts. I am just questioning the reason behind it.

Are these the final ratings or the overnights? I ask because the drop of 2.8 million in series 1 was in the overnights I think (although it might have been reflected in both).
If these are the final ratings then I don't think we have much to worry about because the time shift has increased since 2005 as PVR and iplayer become more popular. In fact, ratings wise, the BBC have shot themselves in the foot with iplayer because according to The Moff, those figures don't count.
What is a round-about figure for the difference between overnights and final for an ep of DW?

These are the final ratings. The overnights for the Poison Sky was 5.9m

I say we all just wait until next week, when this bank-holidayathon is behind us... and see what happens

Over at GB, some has posted the final viewing figures for The Impossible Astronaut is 8.86m. If that's correct, then that's quite a time shift...

What is your view on the 6.5m Final figure for 2008? Was that story not family enough? Or was it too sci-fi perhaps? Or maybe it was just one story that for one reason or another didn't do all that marvellously in an otherwise generally successful run? Not only that, but the show went on to hit new heights of critical acclaim and popularity in subsequent years. For example the most recent Christmas story was described as "the highlight of the christmas schedules" by The Times newspaper (it was written by SM, not RTD as people with their heads not in sand will acknowledge.)

I don't know whether this series is going to be more a less popular than previous years yet. Far from having my head in the sand I am "waiting for actual information to be available."

If the figures/share etc really do nosedive then the BBC will probably look long and hard as to why and do something about it. If that happens the change might be to your taste.

You don't like the current head writer. We know.

That 8.86m figure has been repeated in the TV forum ratings thread. There are a couple of posts (#1552, #1553) there which provide some interesting information, I hope they won't mind me quoting:

Just thought i would add my thoughts.......

Yeah i love the series, and i am frustrated by the weather being so good which naturally means that the family audience the show needs is going to be out enjoying the sun, well it is summer after all.

Is the Moff praying for rain next week?

It's an unfortunate time of year, people tend to do things when the sun comes out.

I realised the other day that i am going to miss 3 of the coming episodes when they are 'first run' this month because i have 'prior engagements' but i will be watching them the following day.

I'm sure that's going to be the same for a lot of people.

I wonder if the later time slot next week will change matters????

Have the figures been released for BBC America yet? As TIA got record breaking figures?

And it shows why the BBC are increasingly looking at timeshifts alongside overnights.

A show in it's 7th year would be unlikely to perform as highly as a show in it's 3rd year, regardless of whose running it. There was a time when Eastenders scored 15 million regularly, now 8 million is considered great.

A decent size drop though. Moffat was convinced that the audience was ready to accept more complex storylines but so far this doesn't seem to be the case (early days though). Next week is far more adventure-of-the-week so it'll be interesting to see if that improves matters.

That's reserved for NCIS

Yes I agree with you on this. Blah blah timeshift etc. The simple fact is the show is not must-see TV at the moment yes blah blah (Iplayer) It has alienated the casual viewer.imo.

No matter how you try to spin it, the amount of viewers lost in one go is not good. I think I'm right in saying that Doctor Who suffered the biggest week-on-week dip of any programme on yesterday evening (Britain's Got Talent managed a gain, even though it was minute). It could be argued that the episode-on-episode drop is in line with other series (around 16-17%) but no other series had a two parter to kick off the series, which you would think would hold viewers more.

Of course, Steven Moffat and the BBC will continue to argue it's not about the overnights etc. but the overnights are a starting base for the show from which they can increase on. They also show how many people actually WANT to watch the programme live, instead of not seeing it as 'must see TV' and tuning in later. The consolidated figures do not show how many 'extra viewers' were the same ones watching for a second/third/fourth time rather than new viewers tuning in.

It's not a disaster. It's not nearing the axe. But it cannot be put in a good light, no matter what spin is placed upon it.

Of course, people on here will say the BBC will be thrilled with the overnights. They will be "mildly relieved" at them but no doubt they will be looking at ways to improve the ratings. DW is capable, even in this age of timeshift etc. of attracting up to 8 million viewers. It isn't DW's fault, it still is very good and by far one of the best things on TV. The AI's and audience share suggest that it is still popular.

But look at what it's sandwiched between: possibly the WORST ever show ever created for TV in Don't Scare The Hare and that tedious dance show. People need to be enticed to watch TV nowadays. DW is causing people to watch later on catch up but DW alone is not enough to encourage people to watch TV as there is, DW asides, a really weak and dull offering.

If DW was on even at 6.30pm with Total Wipeout repeats at 5.30pm. At 7.15pm the John Barrowman Show "Tonights The Night" should have been the follow up programme. This would have been far more entertaining than what they have now.

DW is the strong link, but it is totally unfair on the DW team to see their show which they put their heart and soul into, prop up the crap that comes before and after.

Until you know the final consolidated figures, you will not know how many viewers were "lost in one go" as you put it. A number (and it could be a considerable number) could very well be additional timeshifts (especially as the episode is repeated tonight).

And yes, timeshifts ARE important, as the consolidated figure for TIA demonstrates (and there is no spin on that, just an acceptance of reality, the same reality that some here wish to deny).

How many of those in the consolidated viewers were new viewers and how many were cult lovers who adored the episode so watched it over again?

I don't know, but I do think that you are clutching at straws there though.

The consolidated figure of 8.86M for episode 1 of this series - higher or lower then Eastenders that week? Anybody know the answer? Is Eastenders still BBC's top rated show?

My, admittedly limited, knowledge of current tv ratings would suggest 8.86M is a number of viewers most shows would be over the moon with. Do any scripted shows get over 9M an episode these days?

Trouble is, 8.5 million watch EastEnders as it's shown. The same amount used to for DW as well.

It was always gonna suffer with the Royal wedding, bank 4 day holiday, great weather with a crap time slot and not to forget its in between 2 awful shows I know I sound like im clutching at straws buts I think its true. Also I think we need to wait see how if does in the winter with the second half of series 6 (or is it series 7) and how it does in America at the moment record ratings

I know my mate (a real obsessive!) watched it again about 7 times; I watched it another three and have watched Day of the Moon twice again so far. Ask across this forum; I'm sure quite a few people have watched at least once again on iplayer if not more.

As we do not know the breakdown of new viewers v repeat viewers the consolidated figures will hold up well, and do the programme a good service. But, as much as I'm loving the show at the moment, I'm disappointed such a dent has occured in a two parter.

I see your point, however, you would then question any official consolidated figure then. In other words, by your logic (logic that I am not saying is wrong at this stage), every consolidated figure (for every programme, not just DW) would be subject to the same "error". Which still means that we end up comparing like for like (between the same programme, between different programmes in the same series or different series, and between different programmes entirely. In fact, even overnights would be subject to the same problem id a PVR recording is watched or re-watched on the same day

Which in my mind makes it a bit of a red herring, or is something that is catered for within margins for error or similar. Maybe someone with ratings knowledge could comment?

After all, these are just figures from statistical analysis of 5,100 households, and about 11,300 viewers at the end of the day, not a comprehensive survey of all UK households.

Part of the problem is, I suspect, that by dragging on a story arc for long periods, people can actually lose interest. Then when the reveal comes and it's disappointing then interest will fall even more. How many casual viewers who watched it last week will have watched last night to find out who or what killed The Doctor and why? Was it mentioned? No.

Another thing I'm not convinced of totally is the timeshift argument but I am not going down this road at present. But hyperthetically, what if Gareth Roberts took over and produced the series by creating stories in the same vain as RTD? Ratings increased and overnights went up to 6-8 million every week? What would everyone who keeps going on about timeshift figures say about that? Has it actually occurred to them that viewers may not be liking the direction the show is going? They may well like Matt Smith and co.but if they find the show not as engaging anymore they wouldn't watch it. I like the bloke Simon Gregson who plays Steve McDonald in Corrie. But as I don't like Corrie I don't watch it.

http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2011/04...astronaut.html

8.86m

I wonder what "excuses" the anti-Moffat crew will have for that for that?

If it's two million more again for DOTM, then that's a healthy 7.5m. Not bad for a programme on at an earlier timer on a Bank Holiday weekend following a shit gameshow about a hare...