Deep in some story on the BBC about men in shorts kicking balls are some handy Doctor Who viewing stats.
Amid the excitement in South Africa, the final episode in the current series of Doctor Who had only moderate success.
Saturday’s series finale was seen by an average of 5.1 million people – down on the 8 million who watched new Doctor Matt Smith‘s debut in April.
It was also less than half the audience who tuned in to watch former Doctor David Tennant‘s final episode on New Year’s Day.
Where to start – I don’t think it’s surprising that the dratted football has depressed viewing figures. People were out drowning their sorrows.
I actually think a 5.1 million showing for Matt Smith’s first season as Doctor Who compares very well to the 10 million, during a New Year’s Day special final season.
It’s not just that David Tennant had years to build up his following. It’s also because the New Year special was widely trailled and shown at a time when people had time off work.
What do you think?
Geek Native welcomes thoughtful comments from our favourite readers. Join in below.
8 million was Matt Smith's first episode in April. David Tennant's last episode was 10.4 millions overnight figure.
I decided to look at the numbers for “Doomsday” (David Tennant's first season finale, also screened during a World Cup) for a fairer comparison and that got a finalised average viewing figure of 8.22 million. Then you can compare that to Season Four's finale “Journey's End” which got 10.57 million viewers. I think that shows the audience has dropped off a bit. I'm not sure how much that drop in popularity's down to the new star, the new team, the bad taste left in people's mouths by “The End Of Time” or the year it was basically off telly for.… Read more »
This is More Tennant.Deleted scenes from Doctor Who.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdul9l_david-t…
Personally, I haven't much enjoyed this series; I've found the writing surprisingly shaky for the most part, and I really find no chemistry between Eleven and Amy Pond — plus I can't stand Amy Pond. I've found the series pretty flat, and have been less excited each week.
Will probably keep watching next series, but am less and less looking forward to it.
I get a decent brother – sister vibe between Pond and the Doctor, and I think they've got as much chemistry as Tait and Tennant had. I much prefer it when the companion isn't making googly eyes at the Doctor.
I want to be on doctor who i know everything about it done make my dream crushed i can act and i will be on doctorwho just u watch…
thats not surprising…popularity is on the slide – looking back at the original episodes of 2005, they had a great storyline fantastic acting and only had the “bad wolf” thing that many didn’t notice at the start. Now it seems there are about 3 every series that are never fully explained (why did the tardis blow up?) Rose Tyler was a fully developed character with family (jackie and mickey) and even the earth (london) back in those series (1-4) seemed all part of one universe. Now all we’ve got is a girl who is shallow as a puddle and a man that has died… Read more »