Doctor Who Opener Is UK's Most Recorded

Putting to rest a month-spanning debate as to whether Doctor Who's ratings are starting to drop after somewhat disappointing overnight figures, it's been confirmed that the season opener The Impossible Astronaut was in fact the most recorded show in the history of British television. Over 4.1 million viewers taped the episode, which aired on an astonishingly sunny Saturday (April 23rd), watching it later in the evening or during the week and boosting the overall BARB rating up to a brilliant 8.29 million, more than in line with other season premieres like Rose, New Earth, Partners In Crime and The Eleventh Hour. Each week, the ratings seem to have been staying considerably high, with Day of the Moon and The Curse of the Black Spot both veering well into 7 million territory and The Doctor's Wife likely set to do the same. Add to that the timeshift from 6pm (initialy after the dismal Don't Scare The Hare, which garnered so few watchers that it's now been moved to the dead afternoon slot) to 6.45pm and fans should be left in no doubt as to the sheer popularity of Doctor Who maintaining itself with Series Six- and with good reason, as this is proving to be one of the best seasons yet! Who returns in three more episodes- The Rebel Flesh, The Almost People and A Good Man Goes To War- until June 4th when a massive cliffhanger closing Episode Seven will signal a three month hiatus to keep us guessing until the series returns for another half dozen episodes in September.