Smile - Overnight Viewing Figures

Sunday, 23 April 2017 - Reported by Marcus

Doctor Who: Smile (Credit: BBC / Simon Ridgway)

Doctor Who - Smile had an overnight viewing audience of 4.25 million viewers, a share of 22.9% of the total TV audience, according to unofficial figures.

Top for the day was the ITV show Britain's Got Talent, with 9.21 million watching, a massive 44% of the total audience. The remainder of the evening was dominated by BBC One with All Round to Mrs Brown's getting 5.03 million. The FA Cup averaged around 5 million viewers pushing Doctor Who into fourth place for the day.

Official ratings data, included those who timeshift the episode, will be released in 8 days time.

The early morning signed repeat of The Pilot, shown on BBC Two at 4.10am, had an average audience of 129,000 viewers, a 13.9% share of the available audience.

FILTER: - Ratings - Series 10/36 - UK

Smile - New Pictures

Thursday, 20 April 2017 - Reported by Marcus

The BBC have released new pictures taken from the upcoming episode of Doctor Who - Smile.

Smile

Writer: Frank Cottrell-Boyce
Director: Lawrence Gough

The language of the future is emoji! The Doctor takes Bill to a spectacular city on a distant planet - but where are the colonists? A band of 'cute' droids hold the deadly answer.

The episode premieres on BBC One this Saturday at 7.20pm, followed by transmission around the world. Full details here

Peter and Pearl Introduce Smile (via YouTube)
Steven Introduces Smile (via YouTube) (via YouTube)

FILTER: - Publicity - Series 10/36

The Pilot - AI 83

Tuesday, 18 April 2017 - Reported by Marcus

The Pilot - The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) and Bill (Pearl Mackie) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway)

Doctor Who - The Pilot had an Audience Appreciation or Ai figure of 83

The Appreciation Index in an indication of how much viewers enjoyed the episode. It is based to the reactions of a selected panel of viewers, who rate the episode shortly after transmission.

83 is considered a good score, roughly similar to the scores achieved by the last series of the show,

The highest score for the evening was shared by Dad's Army on BBC Two and the film The Imitation Game on Channel 4, both of which scored 87.

FILTER: - Ratings - Series 10/36 - UK

Overnight Australian ratings for The Pilot

Monday, 17 April 2017 - Reported by Adam Kirk

The Pilot has debuted in Australia, averaging 495,000 viewers in the five major capital cities. The story was the second highest rating ABC drama of the day and the eighth highest rating program of the day overall. These ratings do not include iview, regional or time-shifted viewers.

Media Links: TV Tonight

FILTER: - Australia - Broadcasting - Ratings - Series 10/36

The Pilot - Overnight Viewing Figures

Sunday, 16 April 2017 - Reported by Marcus

The Pilot - The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgway)

Doctor Who - The Pilot had an overnight viewing figure of 4.64 million viewers, a share of 24.8% of the total TV audience, according to unofficial viewing figures.

Saturday's top show was Britain's Got Talent on ITV which had 8.65 million watching.

Doctor Who was BBC One's second highest rated show for the evening, just behind All Round to Mrs Brown's which had 4.67 million. It just beat Pointless Celebrities which had 4.34 million watching. Casualty had 3.48 million.

Final figures, including those who timeshift, will be released next Monday, which should see Doctor Who substantially increase its audience.

FILTER: - Ratings - Series 10/36 - UK

The Pilot - Media Roundup

Sunday, 16 April 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The Pilot - Bill, as played by Pearl Mackie (Credit: BBC/Des Willie)

The new series of Doctor Who hit UK screens last night, but what did the media make of the latest adventure for the Doctor, and of his new fresh-faced companion?

The Telegraph's Ben Lawrence was pleased with the pairing: "their relationship, on the basis of this sensitively written episode, looks set to be the best since Billie Piper’s Rose Tyler and David Tennant’s Doctor flirted through time and space over a decade ago.". Clair Woodward in the Express had similar thoughts: "showrunner and writer Stephen Moffatt has pulled off what many thought was an impossible feat by bringing some much-needed humanity back to the series, a great deal of which comes from new female companion Bill Potts, played by Pearl Mackie, who has a really lovely chemistry with Peter Capaldi’s Doctor. I can’t remember the old sod smiling so much." Colleague Neela Debnath for the Sunday Express added: "newcomer Pearl feels totally natural in the role and is a strong fit for Doctor Who, with elements of Eighties companion Ace (Sophie Aldred), thanks to those patches on her coat but also her intelligence. You get the sense that she might have a science background like Ace’s extensive knowledge of chemistry, although there is nothing to prove it - and she is simply working in the university canteen.".

Of course there's always those who don't take to the show so easily. The Mail on Sunday chose to focus on Bill's sexuality, citing feminist campaigner Julie Bindel's thoughts: "This is something that is clearly done for the benefit of those who just think of it as girl-on-girl titillation. I don’t want to have representations of lesbians which is all about sexism, double entendres and sexualised behaviour. It’s just taking two women and using the blueprint of sexist heterosexuality."

Daniel Jackson in the Mirror noted: "it’s quite telling that the director pulled focus to a photo of The Doctor’s granddaughter during her introduction - it reaffirms how Moffat sees the new coupling.". Patrick Mulkern from the Radio Times added: "Susan has barely been mentioned since her departure in 1964. Carole Ann Ford reprised the role in The Five Doctors (1983), we saw a blur of Susan fleeing Gallifrey in The Name of the Doctor (2013), and of course Susan was An Unearthly Child, the focus of the original “Pilot Episode” in 1963. For now, I’m not reading too much into this sudden reminder of her existence."

Summing up the feel of the episode as a whole, Patrick continued: "The Pilot has a lovely visual flair and is given an energetic snap from director Lawrence Gough. The effects of the menacing puddle and the watery transformations are expertly handled. But there’s a simple pleasure to be had in the presentation of our old friend, the Tardis. Never has it looked more stunning than in the gradual zoom-out from Bill at the police box doors as the lights and mechanisms flicker to life.. Jeff Robson of the i commented: "Bill was totally hooked – and, with reservations, so was I. It was amazing that in a set-up seen quite a few times before Moffat, director Lawrence Gough and the two leads still managed to serve up plentiful helpings of sharp dialogue and pulse-racing moments. Mackie could well be the breath of fresh air the series needs. She’s more down to earth than Jenna Coleman’s Clara, but believably gobsmacked by it all too."

With the story overall, Ben commented: "this episode may not have pushed all the buttons, but it was a reminder of how good Doctor Who can be when it tugs at the heartstrings, and moves from pyrotechnics into a more thoughtful, psychologically ambitious orbit.". Clair's thoughts: "This first episode brought Doctor Who’s humanity back, after a long, chilly spell. “What are any of us looking for? We’re looking for someone who’s looking for us,” said the Doctor about Bill’s crush on Heather, but it obviously applied to the way he felt about his new companion as well. I think viewers will find the new partnership equally loveable, and plotlines more understandable." Dan Martin of the Guardian observes: "it’s ironic and impressive, for a showrunner who gets criticised for reusing ideas, that Steven Moffat has delivered one of his freshest openers for his final run. It would indeed be a good place to join the show. In fact, I might start my little nephew off right here." Daniel noted: "more importantly, this episode nails the mellowing of the 12th Doctor. Perhaps his 50-year stint on Earth has done him good? Capaldi’s Doctor is certainly showing his more caring side."

Additional views and reviews of The Pilot can be found at: Belfast Telegraph, The Sun, Daily Mail, Mirror, Metro, Digital Spy, Wales Online, TV.com, The Quietus, Vox, A.V. Club, Screener.

FILTER: - Series 10/36

Predict the Ratings competition

Wednesday, 12 April 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

It's time for our traditional "predict the ratings" competition, where we invite readers to guess how well the latest premiere of Doctor Who will fare with UK television viewers.

This year's prize will be a set of three new 12th Doctor Novels which tie into the new series, Diamond Dogs, Plague City and The Shining Man released this month by BBC Books. In order to be in with a chance to win the set, simply send us an email to comp-ratings@doctorwhonews.net with the subject line "Rate that Pilot" and the following details:

Your name and preferred email address
Your country of entry (full details will be requested only if you are the winner)
Your guess at the final viewing figure of The Pilot to the nearest 10,000 (eg.9.99m)
Your guess at its initial overnight figure - this will only be used in the event of a tie-break

Terms and Conditions:

The competition closes at 06:30 GMT, 16th April 2017
Only one entry will be accepted per person.
The competition is open worldwide.
Figures that aren't complete will be rounded down (i.e. 9.9m will be considered as 9.90m)
BARB final figures are expected a couple of weeks later; we will contact the winner once they have been published.

FILTER: - Competitions - Ratings - Series 10/36

The Pilot - latest images

Tuesday, 11 April 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The BBC have released a host of publicity images relating to this week's premiere, The Pilot:

There are also a number of new profile images, featuring Peter Capaldi as the Doctor, Stephanie Hyam as Heather, Jennifer Hennessy as Moira, Pearl Mackie as Bill and Matt Lucas as Nardole:

With the time on BBC One now confirmed as 7:20pm, BBC First in the Middle East have adjusted the time of their broadcast so that the episode will be simulcast with UK transmission! In addition, YLE2 has now scheduled the episode for Sunday morning, meaning that viewers in Finland will also get to see The Pilot within 24 hours of those in the UK.

The Pilot: Known Broadcast Details
United Kingdom	BBC One	Sat 15 Apr 2017	7:20pm BST
Middle East	BBC First	Sat 15 Apr 2017	9:20pm AST	(Sat 7:20pm BST)
United States of America	BBC America	Sat 15 Apr 2017	9:00pm EDT	(Sun 2:00am BST)
Canada	SPACE	Sat 15 Apr 2017	9:00pm EDT	(Sun 2:00am BST)
Finland	YLE2	Sun 16 Apr 2017	11:00am EEST	(Sun 9:00am BST)
Australia	ABC	Sun 16 Apr 2017	7:40pm AEST	(Sun 10:40am BST, also on ABC ME)
Brazil	SyFy	Sun 16 Apr 2017	8:00pm BRT	(Sun 11:00pm BST)
Latin America	SyFy	Sun 16 Apr 2017	11:00pm CDT	(Mon 4:00am BST)
New Zealand	PRIME	Mon 17 Apr 2017	7:30pm NZST	(Mon 8:30am BST)

FILTER: - Publicity - Series 10/36

A Masterful return

Thursday, 6 April 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The BBC have issued a press release relating to the return of the Master in the new series of Doctor Who:

John Simm as The Master in The End of Time: Part Two (Credit: BBC)

John Simm will return as The Master to battle The Doctor (Peter Capaldi), new companion Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie) and Nardole (Matt Lucas) in the forthcoming series of Doctor Who.

John Simm says:

I can confirm that it’s true, thanks to the power of time travel I’m back. It’s always a pleasure to work with this great team of people and I can’t wait for you all to see what The Master gets up to in the next series.

Steven Moffat, writer and executive producer, says:

Nothing stays secret for long on Doctor Who but you'll have to wait a little bit longer to see exactly what The Master is up to and how he makes his return to face the Doctor. It’s been a huge pleasure to have fan favourites John Simm and Michelle Gomez face to face in the same role! It’s not often you get to see a solo personality clash.

John Simm was last seen as The Master on New Year’s Day 2010. Viewers will have to wait to see exactly when and how The Master will return to the new series, which starts on Saturday 15 April at 7.20pm on BBC One.

As previously announced, Doctor Who series ten will also star Michelle Gomez as Missy - a later regeneration of The Master. Other returning foes include the Daleks, the Ice Warriors and - returning for the first time in almost fifty years - the Mondasian Cybermen. An exciting line up of new faces and adversaries will debut across the series, including adorable-but-deadly Emojibots and David Suchet as The Landlord.

Doctor Who returns to BBC One with episode one The Pilot at 7.20pm on Saturday 15 April.

FILTER: - Publicity - Series 10/36