Doctor Who series 9’s first rating number didn’t seem too high at first glance.

Furthermore, there have been 1.53m requests to view the programme on iPlayer.

Thatll grow further over the coming weeks, and a firmer, final figure is due next month.

There were DVD sales on top of that, too, as well as an international audience.

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Now: 4.58 million is a long, long way from the final number.

Theres a BBC Three repeat to add too.

So this isnt an article suggesting thatDoctor Whos ratings are in decline.

Yet reports ofDoctor Whos demise tend to be exaggerated, and this is no exception.

Over the course of the series, with two-parters and cliffhangers to come, that may change.

I dont think the BBC has doneDoctor Whotoo many favours in that regard.

Theres no sense that at 7pm on a Saturday night, for instance, thatDoctor Whowill be on.

Saturdays episode, for instance, screened at 7.40pm.

Id put hard cash down now that it wont stay in that slot for the next 11 weeks.

WhenStrictlyneeds to be longer, everything else pardon the pun has to dance around it.Doctor Whoincluded.

That said, the way television drama in particular is being devoured has changed sizeably over the past decade.

That is, a large part of the audience isnt watching live.

In some cases, people are awaiting the boxset, so they can binge watch the whole lot.

Again,Doctor Whoincluded.

But still: I do think somethings being lost.

That everyone can sit and watch it in one room.

Id argue, though, thatDoctor Whowas the last show to make such an event drama.

It felt like a proper event, and that was only two years ago.

All of this doesnt mean that a 4.58m rating leavesDoctor Whoin trouble.

The critical and fan reaction toThe Magicians Apprenticehas been warm, and next weeks episode is even better.