BBC considers changing the Doctor Who schedule
BBC One Controller Jay Hunt has confirmed that the channel is currently deciding whether or not to make changes to the Doctor Who schedule.
Back in June last year it was speculated that Series 5 would be split into two halves, with the first half airing in the Spring and the second half from October. While this has obviously turned out to be false, the rumours have again resurfaced, with it now being claimed that the transmission of Series 6 will indeed be pushed back to Autumn 2011.
“We’re talking about what form Doctor Who will take,” Hunt exclusively told DigitalSpy. “I think the interesting thing with having Steven Moffat running that show now is it will be very much a creative decision. He will decide what he thinks is right for the show.”
She continued: “It’s one of the most terrifying things about being a BBC One controller – to be in charge of a regeneration and to cast the new Doctor Who. For Matt and Karen to have landed as successfully as they have in the audience’s mind, to be as popular and to be as instantly associated with the roles is wonderful.”
What do you make of the news? Do you think a transmission later in the year would benefit the series, or should it stick with traditition at the heart of the Spring schedule?
As always, we want to know your thoughts, so let us know by posting a comment below!
It would much better, in my opinion to have it in the Autumn but I Don’t think i could handle the wait O_o
It would be up against X Factor almost every week… I think it would be a very bad move.
it shoud remain in spring and play the whole way through
The only problem with scheduling this year was the fact the BBC put out episodes at 6pm – ridiculously early, hence below-par ratings. They should continue airing the series from April but revert to a 7-8pm transmission time.
It should remain at Spring as spring, but have it back at the 7pm time.
The only reason Series Five received average ratings this year was because of the weather, hence why it should be put in Torchwood’s Series Two Winter to Spring slot.
If it was on from September to December, it would be annihilated by X Factor, although it might be helped by airing after Merlin, which always receives 5m+ ratings, despite being broadcast just before The X Factor.
@Jay
Time has no affect on ratings in an age where hardly anyone has the time to watch TV anymore, which is why the final BARB ratings include BBC One, BBC HD, repeats and BBC iPlayer.
I hope they keep it where it is. Everything else I watch starts in the fall, I need something to fill up the empty spring stretch.
And I hate it when they split the season in two. I don’t want two half seasons, I just want one proper season. I don’t like waiting a week for the next episode, I certainly don’t want them to have a half-ass mid-season finale and then disappear for a few months.
@TE
Your argument that time has no effect on ratings is flawed. Yes, people may watch at other times on other media platforms but why is it that earlier series of DW – and some episodes of Series 5 – broadcast at or close to 7pm attracted better viewing figures? If time no longer determines ratings, let the BBC put Doctor Who out at 5.30 on a sunny summer afternoon. Watch the ratings nosedive. There’s no point in having schedules if we accept that timings don’t affect ratings… and broadcasters know it
I think it could be a much better move to schedule it from say July to september/october time. the show itself is quite dark and would suit this timeslot better.
@pirko
Possibly. But many people are away on holiday during July/August, including kids. Having said that, Sherlock did very well for BBC One this summer. But that had a good peak-time slot in the schedule, unlike Doctor Who this year
@Jay
Yeah very good point. Summer doesnt tend to be good tv wise. Also I keep hearing that ‘If its up against x factor, it will lose out’. Thats not strictly true cos X factor is usually on about 8pm or so, way after dr who
I don’t mind when it is, as long as it’s on TV and there are at least 13 episodes. If I had it my way Doctor Who would play year-round!
@Jay
If the timeslot determined ratings, why have many of the BBC’s latest shows on Saturdays at 7pm and later received low ratings?
@TE Because they’re terrible gameshows that no-one wants to watch. Put out a strong programme like Doctor Who or Strictly Come Dancing in the 7pm slot and you’re virtually guaranteed a healthy audience. But OK, if you really believe that time has no effect on ratings, why not contact the BBC One controller, Jay Hunt, and suggest that she puts out Doctor Who at 4pm? 5pm? Perhaps 3pm on a Saturday afternoon when everyone’s out? She would laugh her head off. OK, people may watch programmes in other ways now but the bulk of the audience figures you see still watch via TV.