Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies reflects on season 14’s current viewership numbers, revealing why he is still pleased despite lower viewing figures in the UK. Ncuti Gatwa leads the current season of the long-running sci-fi series as the fifteenth incarnation of the Time Lord, joined by Millie Gibson’s new companion Ruby Sunday across eight time-traveling adventures. In Doctor Who season 14, the TARDIS has taken the Fifteenth Doctor to deep space baby farms, 1960s Britain, alternate timelines, and Regency balls, culminating in an emotional two-part finale.
Recently, Davies opened up to RadioTimes and reflected on the viewership of the new episodes. While the showrunner admitted part of him would have liked a higher viewership with its BBC One broadcast and iPlayer release, the full 28-day viewership numbers were pleasing, especially as the latest season struck a note with the under-30s demographic. Check out Davies’ full explanation below:
I mean, no, to be honest – I’m very proud of is! You know, they might not be the ratings we’d love. We always want highter. But they are building over the 28-day period. Episode one, “Space Babies”, is already up to 5.6 million and counting. So it is getting there. And actually, I was brought back to bring in a younger audience. That’s been massively successful.
The audience no one ever gets are the under-30s. They just don’t watch television anymore. But those figures are astronomic for Doctor Who, it’s there top programme in that bracket. I never thought it was possible, to be honest. But according to the people who juggle the numbers, all targets have been reached and exceeded. The BBC are running around like mad things.
Doctor Who Season 14’s Viewing Figures May Not Be Something To Be Worried About
Doctor Who Season 14 Performing Well With Younger Viewers Is A Good Sign.
While Doctor Who’ s UK ratings are only part of the overall picture of the new era, given Disney’s current involvement and distribution agreement, it is clear that Davies and the BBC are pleased by season 14’s performance.
While Doctor Who season 14’s viewership numbers are down from the audience it held in Doctor Who’s adventures in 2023, the new episodes still have a strong following. According to BARB (Broadcasters Audience Research Board) ratings, the latest season has still ranked among the highest dramas and within the top 25 overall programs released each week from May 11 to June 2, with “Dot and Bubble” being the most viewed episode on the day it was released. As such, Doctor Who is still holding strong.
Furthermore, Doctor Who striking a chord with younger viewers is a positive sign for the franchise’s future. While the series will always have a loyal fan base keen to return even after a lengthy process, the sci-fi series can still attract newcomers and engage with them through Davies’ fun but pointed stories, despite its 60-year legacy, proving his soft, accessible reboot has been successful. As such, there will always be viewers eager for a trip in the TARDIS, even as the way audiences view television changes.
While Doctor Who’s UK ratings are only part of the overall picture of the new era, given Disney’s current involvement and distribution agreement, it is clear that Davies and the BBC are pleased by season 14’s performance. With the series remaining a high-performing drama in the UK, it still has an incredible grip that may grow with a whole new generation. As such, the future is seemingly safe, though some changes in the release may be considered for Doctor Who season 15 following its first attempt at an earlier streaming release.
Doctor Who releases new episodes every Friday simultaneously on Disney+ for international audiences and BBC iPlayer for UK viewers.