In the BBC archives is a interesting series of documents and articles dealing with the The Genesis of Doctor Who | Creating a science fiction hero . I found it quite revealing on how some of the execs at the time viewed the good doctor and how the audience slowly grew over the years. It seems the series was not an overnight success . Matter of fact you will find that the series first 4 part mini series had a relatively small number but it was the second story with the Daleks that propelled the Dr into fame and fortune. That bit of trivia came form the Did you Know section of the Audience reaction report.
The first episode of ‘Doctor Who’ attracted a modest 4.4 million viewers, but the ratings did rise slowly as the four-part serial progressed. It was with the second story, however, that the series began to gain an ardent following. The introduction of those perennial villains the Daleks added over 6 million viewers to the ratings.
Links to Documents
Science Fiction – BBC Report
A report into whether the BBC should make science fiction drama.
Background Notes for ‘Dr. Who’
CE Webber and Sydney Newman outline the format for the new ‘Doctor Who’ series.
Radio Times’ article for 23 November, 1963
A preview of the first ‘Doctor Who’ episode, ‘An Unearthly Child’.
Audience Research on ‘An Unearthly Child’.
What the viewers thought of the first episode of ‘Doctor
Science Fiction – Follow-up Report
A report into the kind of stories BBC science fiction dramas might handle.
Concept Notes for New SF Drama
A summary of ideas for a new science fiction BBC TV series.
‘Radio Times’ TV listing, 23 November, 1963
How ‘Radio Times’ recorded the first episode of ‘Doctor Who’ in the TV listings.
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