Doctor Who Ratings Crash Again To All-Time Low in Viewership

With the release of episode four, Doctor Who once again achieves a new ratings low.

Saturday’s episode, “Lucky Day,” was watched by only 1.5 million viewers according to the UK’s overnight ratings system, a new low in the show’s 60+ year history.

Previously from April 22nd:

Doctor Who continues to break records — for the worst ratings in its 60-year history — as the second episode of Season 2, which aired Saturday, set another all-time low.

After the premiere’s 2 million viewers beat the previous record low from Season 1, Episode 2 dropped even further, drawing just 1.58 million viewers according to UK overnight numbers — a new series low.

Previously from April 14th:

Another round of applause goes out to Russell T Davies for completely destroying Doctor Who, as it’s now confirmed that the new season’s launch on Saturday hit the lowest viewership in the show’s 60+ year history.

Following the first season from last year which achieved the worst ratings in the history of Doctor Who, Davies and Ncuti Gatwa have set a new record ratings low.

Doctor Who: Disney Demands Removal Of Russell T Davies

What are the ratings?

The UK overnight ratings reveal that the premiere episode of Doctor Who Season 2 was only watched by 2 million viewers.

That beats the penultimate episode of last year, the previous record-setting low, which drew in 2.02 million viewers. Last year’s season finale of 2.25M was also the least-watched season finale in the show’s entire 60-year history as well.

Disney+ May have Already Dumped 'Doctor Who'

Doctor Who canceled? What about Season 3?

There have been rumors that Doctor Who is getting canceled and is about to go on a big hiatus following the conclusion of Season 2.

Rumors offer Season 3 isn’t happening, that Ncuti Gatwa wants out, and that Disney – who forked out a reported $100 million – isn’t happy as nobody is watching Doctor Who on Disney+.

It’s known that none of the Doctor Who episodes on Disney+ made the Nielsen ratings, which are automatically turned on in your accounts.

Davies recently hinted the big hiatus is coming, and he didn’t seem to bothered by it. He filled in the BBC’s Newsround:

“I kind of know that the Doctor’s reached the status of, like, Robin Hood. Sometimes there might be a pause, and during that pause, the viewers of Newsround now will grow up a few years and start writing stories and they’ll bring it back. So I have absolute faith that that will survive because I am living proof of it and that’s what happens to good ideas. No good idea ever dies.”

Doctor Who Canceled At Disney+ Claim Rumors: No Season 3

Fan reaction

Similar to the Chris Chibnall and Jodie Whittaker era, and last season, the fan reaction to Doctor Who Season 2 hasn’t been positive.

doctor who season 2 rotten tomatoes — Screenshot via Rotten Tomatoes

Currently, on Rotten Tomatoes, the Season 2 premiere episode only has a 45% fan score. The fan score, including all the episodes from 2023, is only at 36%.

WTF??
They actually said this in Doctor Who pic.twitter.com/x9KPH6uY7H
— Nerdrotic (@Nerdrotics) April 12, 2025