By Megan Reeves - HASH's "Whovian"
Well, the simple answer is no. But for those lucky enough to personally know me, I can’t do simple when it comes to Doctor Who. It is my little (okay not so little) obsession since I was 11 and I don’t care who knows it. So when I get to write an article about my favourite thing be assured you won’t be getting a simple answer.
Well, the simple answer is no. But for those lucky enough to personally know me, I can’t do simple when it comes to Doctor Who. It is my little (okay not so little) obsession since I was 11 and I don’t care who knows it. So when I get to write an article about my favourite thing be assured you won’t be getting a simple answer.
Anyway.
It seems there has been a lot of criticism in the past few months as to whether the show is struggling to attract new fans. It has been well documented recently that overnight ratings have dropped dramatically and fans are increasingly tired of certain actors and certain show-runners. It has also been publicised by the media that the show is detaching itself to the more casual viewer, and only telling stories to satisfy the hardcore fan.
All these factors have been well argued by many a devout fan and critic for a while, but my opinion? Doctor Who is a show that is targeted for the family and within that, it has to cater for EVERYONE. That means having the darker sub plots and underlying story arcs for the adults, but having the same wit, humour and light hearted simplicity for the kids and casual fan. Trying to do all these at once whilst trying to deliver a forever continuing and complicating story arc is ruddy difficult. Steven Moffat, who is Executive Producer for Doctor Who, constantly gets criticism from certain media critics and some fans. People are adamant that he is the sole reason for the show heading downhill and the moment he is rid of the better. I say to this – can you do any better? You try heading one of the BBC and the worlds’ most successful and long running science fiction shows, whilst also trying to focus on his other juggernaut Sherlock he co-produces with friend and fellow Doctor Who alumni Mark Gatiss. In my little opinion, people are far too quick to place the blame and point fingers at the nearest authoritative figure.
Alas, the fact is, the overnight ratings HAVE dropped. It has received criticisms about the chemistry between the TARDIS’s current inhabitants Clara Oswald and the 12th Doctor and overall the show is getting a lot of stick.
But it’s not all bad.. Doctor Who’s fans or ‘Whovians’, are consistently loyal. Their loyalty has meant that the show has now been re-commissioned for a further 5 years securing it until 2020. The BBC’s faith in the show surely indicates that the show can’t be in danger?
Furthermore, another fact is that the way in which people view the television has changed over the years. Since it’s come back in 2005, we have had the rise and rise of BBC Iplayer, Sky Plus and other catch up services. Not only that but the rise in other mediums of technology for example the tablet, have meant that people are no longer confined to that 7pm slot on a Saturday night to get their fill of TARDIS action. Television on the go is becoming the way forward and means that the overnight ratings that are being constantly flagged up just aren’t an indicator to the show’s popularity anymore. Of course, overnight’s are still important to the powers that be however the consumption of television has changed so dramatically that they cannot create a solid viewing figure per week anymore, simply because viewings on phones/tablets/downloads and others mean there is no way of telling.
When all mediums of watching the show have been taken into account, including the overnight ratings, the show still has the same amount of ratings each week. Doctor Who has one of the most consistent followings of any television show on British television. Doctor Who’s Official Magazine documented not so long ago that in comparison to 2005 the ratings have stayed mainly the same.
At present, Doctor Who is exploring new territory for the first time in its 52 year old history. Its current series is having its first ‘one-handed’ episode, where the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) will be the only person in the entire episode. It is also exploring new ideas and touching on issues such as politics and immigration in its own unique way. All this is a welcome change of direction to fans and this series has become very popular amongst the media and its fans.
So weighing up all the differing factors, and to answer my original question. Is Doctor Who in danger? I don’t think so. It’s not entirely perfect, but my gosh, it is ruddy brilliant. I for one will be avidly watching it on my tele-box every Saturday (and then multiple times on IPlayer, don’t judge me).
It seems there has been a lot of criticism in the past few months as to whether the show is struggling to attract new fans. It has been well documented recently that overnight ratings have dropped dramatically and fans are increasingly tired of certain actors and certain show-runners. It has also been publicised by the media that the show is detaching itself to the more casual viewer, and only telling stories to satisfy the hardcore fan.
All these factors have been well argued by many a devout fan and critic for a while, but my opinion? Doctor Who is a show that is targeted for the family and within that, it has to cater for EVERYONE. That means having the darker sub plots and underlying story arcs for the adults, but having the same wit, humour and light hearted simplicity for the kids and casual fan. Trying to do all these at once whilst trying to deliver a forever continuing and complicating story arc is ruddy difficult. Steven Moffat, who is Executive Producer for Doctor Who, constantly gets criticism from certain media critics and some fans. People are adamant that he is the sole reason for the show heading downhill and the moment he is rid of the better. I say to this – can you do any better? You try heading one of the BBC and the worlds’ most successful and long running science fiction shows, whilst also trying to focus on his other juggernaut Sherlock he co-produces with friend and fellow Doctor Who alumni Mark Gatiss. In my little opinion, people are far too quick to place the blame and point fingers at the nearest authoritative figure.
Alas, the fact is, the overnight ratings HAVE dropped. It has received criticisms about the chemistry between the TARDIS’s current inhabitants Clara Oswald and the 12th Doctor and overall the show is getting a lot of stick.
But it’s not all bad.. Doctor Who’s fans or ‘Whovians’, are consistently loyal. Their loyalty has meant that the show has now been re-commissioned for a further 5 years securing it until 2020. The BBC’s faith in the show surely indicates that the show can’t be in danger?
Furthermore, another fact is that the way in which people view the television has changed over the years. Since it’s come back in 2005, we have had the rise and rise of BBC Iplayer, Sky Plus and other catch up services. Not only that but the rise in other mediums of technology for example the tablet, have meant that people are no longer confined to that 7pm slot on a Saturday night to get their fill of TARDIS action. Television on the go is becoming the way forward and means that the overnight ratings that are being constantly flagged up just aren’t an indicator to the show’s popularity anymore. Of course, overnight’s are still important to the powers that be however the consumption of television has changed so dramatically that they cannot create a solid viewing figure per week anymore, simply because viewings on phones/tablets/downloads and others mean there is no way of telling.
When all mediums of watching the show have been taken into account, including the overnight ratings, the show still has the same amount of ratings each week. Doctor Who has one of the most consistent followings of any television show on British television. Doctor Who’s Official Magazine documented not so long ago that in comparison to 2005 the ratings have stayed mainly the same.
At present, Doctor Who is exploring new territory for the first time in its 52 year old history. Its current series is having its first ‘one-handed’ episode, where the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) will be the only person in the entire episode. It is also exploring new ideas and touching on issues such as politics and immigration in its own unique way. All this is a welcome change of direction to fans and this series has become very popular amongst the media and its fans.
So weighing up all the differing factors, and to answer my original question. Is Doctor Who in danger? I don’t think so. It’s not entirely perfect, but my gosh, it is ruddy brilliant. I for one will be avidly watching it on my tele-box every Saturday (and then multiple times on IPlayer, don’t judge me).