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Friday 14 November 2014

Dr Who Ratings Are Bad....Are They?

 According to Dr Who 24/7:
 
Steven Moffat has said the viewing figures for Doctor Who Series 8 aren’t something he’s worried about.

Speaking on a Royal Television Society panel, he said: “The figures are the same – they’re just the same. If by ‘ratings’, you mean the number of people who watch the show... they are the same. The headline – boring though it is – is that they’ve barely changed since Doctor Who came back.”

He added: “Since Matt Smith took over Doctor Who – the time I’ve been doing it – the number of people that watch the show on iPlayer has trebled. The way people watch it has changed. People watch it on catch-up to a much greater degree, but there is no drop-off in the ratings.

Moffat went on to say that even if only the overnight figures were counted, there still wouldn’t be a problem: “For the record, if our overnights were our final rating, that would still count as a hit. I would be working hard, even as a Scot, to be disappointed!”

Seriously, I think Dr Who has improved since Capaldi took over the role.  Why is Moffatt therefore pointing out to people who never asked what the rating figures are?

You work it out.

Here is a clue: look at TV over the last 20 years and shows that got high ratings:

Merlin-cancelled
Mrs Bradley Mysteries -cancelled
Last of the Summer Wine -cancelled
Ripper Street -cancelled

Actually, it is pointless listing them.  People keep asking WHY the really awful shows continue series after series on the BBC (does anyone even consider ITV or Channel 4 these days?)  whereas the big popular shows -that are pulling ion money- with good cast, stories and so on get cancelled?

The same reason why the UK is one of the few countries with a -allow me to snicker away from the monitor- "major broadcaster  of repute" (maybe 30 years ago) has no variety show.  Because the new university boys have done media studies and they have been brought up on docusoaps, soaps and ever more badly acted fake 'reality' shows.

They have no idea what TV is about.  A successful programme brings in money but they have to then spend money.  Remember that the BBC licence fee (they get 97% of it) is worth many many millions http://www.bbc.co.uk/annualreport/2014/executive/finances/licence_fee.html  and add revenue from DVDs and other merchandise....they can afford to make good TV....oh, and most programmes are now co-productions so the BBC does not shoulder the full cost.

If Dr Who isn't doing that great then its liable to continue.  If it was a roar away success....oh dear.

You do the research and work it out.

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