Doctor Who Christmas Special Sets Ratings Record
by EG
If there was any question whether or not the popularity of "Doctor Who" had solidified in America, the ratings for Wednesday's broadcast of "The Time of the Doctor" on BBC America should settle the issue. The episode was the highest-rated show to date for the network.
"The Time of the Doctor" was the series' traditional special Christmas episode, and it was also the final episode with Matt Smith in the role of the Doctor. In future episodes, the regenerated Doctor will be played by Peter Capaldi.
When the episode aired in the UK a few hours before it aired in the United States, it drew 8.3 million viewers. That was enough to make it the most-watched drama in Britain for the day, and it surpassed the viewership of last year's Christmas special. However, its ratings were significantly lower than the last regeneration episode, 2009's 'The End of Time."
In America, the numbers were better. The initial airing of the episode on BBC America drew 2.47 million viewers, a record for the network. The previous most-watched program on the network was the Doctor Who 50th anniversary special, "The Day of the Doctor," which pulled in 2.4 million viewers.
"The Time of the Doctor" will air again on BBC America on December 31. "The End of Time" and "The Day of the Doctor" will air on that day, as well.