Doctor Who fans rejoiced this year when BBC America committed to airing the episodes on the same day as they are aired in Britan. No more waiting, knowing that there was Who out there you haven't seen yet. No more resisting the temptation to peek online for spoilers. Now, we are offset by a week thanks to Memorial Day of all things!
The folks at BBC America are not stupid. They know a ratings cash cow when they have one, and Doctor Who has consistently gotten stellar ratings for the BBC's U.S.-based cousin. But what happens to crop up in the run up to a spectacular mid-season cliffhanger? A blasted U.S. holiday that signals the start of the "get off your lazy butt and go out and do stuff outside" season while network TV is in reruns. Rather than compete with a hiloday weekend filled with barbeques and beach outings, they decided to delay Doctor Who by one week in order to preserve their viewing numbers.
Uhhh, ok ... good idea. The fans come second to advertising revenue, and a bad showing in the middle of the season would mean that BBC America might lose a few hundred thousand in ad revenue per week next year. But ... since it is ad revenue that keeps Doctor Who on the air ...
Let me start over: BBC America made the wise scheduling move of delaying the broadcast of Doctor Who, thus improving the shows long term survivability....
More later this week with "The Rebel Flesh," and I promise not to go online and find out who River song really is and ruin it before "A Good Man Goes To War" airs in two weeks.
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