'Into the Dalek' Overnight Ratings
Paul Winter (Co-ordinator) on August 31st, 2014
The overnight ratings for 'Into the Dalek' on BBC1 Saturday 30th August 2014, were 5.2 million viewers or 24.7% of the audience. Doctor Who was the most popular programme on BBC1 and the second most popular programme in the UK yesterday, being beaten only by the return of 'The X Factor' on ITV.
Consolidated figures are likely to be released in about a week.
The figures for the more recent series show a very clear change in the way that people watch TV - whilst 'The X Factor' is very much 'event TV' which most viewers will want to watch live and then discuss online, and in the coming days with friends and colleagues, Doctor Who is more and more becoming an 'On Demand' product as shown by last years BBC iPlayer numbers. The coming weeks will show if this trend is continuing.
From the point of view of a public service broadcaster like the BBC the total reach of a programme is significantly more important than the overnight numbers, whereas, for advertisers the overnights on channels such as ITV and Sky are probably the most significant, as these are the broadcasts where advertising is most likely to reach its target audience.
You can read more on the overnight ratings at Doctor Who News.