Doctor Who TV Ratings Continue to Decline in the United Kingdom, Receive Small Bump On BBC America

John F. Trent |

Jan 23, 2020

Doctor Who’s TV ratings in the United Kingdom continued to decline while the show saw a small bump in the United States on BBC America.

Episode 4, “Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror” was seen by 4.04 million people in the United Kingdom according to Doctor Who News. These numbers are overnight figures and will more than likely increase after official numbers are released that includes those who recorded the show and watched it later.

The previous overnight figures from Episode 3 “Orphan 55” saw viewership at 4.19 million. Doctor Who News reports the official numbers for “Orphan 55” was 5.38 million. Given these initial numbers it appears the show lost at least 150,000 viewers in just the overnight numbers.

Doctor Who in the United Kingdom lost over 820,000 viewers between the first and second episodes. The Season 12 premiere, Spyfall: Part One saw 6.89 million people tune in. While Spyfall: Part Two only saw 6.07 million people tune in.

The loss in viewership would continue with Episode 3, “Orphan 55.” The show would lose 690,000 viewers from Spyfall: Part Two.

While the show continues to bleed viewers in the United Kingdom, it did have a small rally on BBC America. “Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror” saw viewership increase to 490,000 viewers according to TV Series Finale. That’s a 4.7% increase from “Orphan 55” which only managed to garner 468,000 viewers.

“Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror” also saw a ratings increase from Orphan 55. It had a .12 rating compared to the .10 of “Orphan 55.”

While this might be a positive sign for the show on BBC America, it’s still significantly down from Season 11. The fourth episode of Season 11 had 900,000 viewers with a .32 rating.

Season 11 would end with a .28 average rating and average viewership of 881,000. Season 12 is already way behind with an average rating of only .14 and average viewership of 584,000.

Despite these declining ratings, actress Jodie Whittaker indicated she will return as the Doctor for a 13th season.

Whittaker told Entertainment Weekly, “Yes, I’m doing another season.”

She added, “That might be a massive exclusive that I’m not supposed to say, but it’s unhelpful for me to say [I don’t know] because it would be a massive lie! [Laughs] I absolutely adore it. At some point, these shoes are going to be handed on, but it’s not yet. I’m clinging on tight.”