Consolidated ratings for Doctor Who: The Robot Revolution confirm show is in crisis

Official consolidated BARB data has today been released for Doctor Who: The Robot Revolution, confirming just has 3.57million have watched the opening episode of the new series in the last seven days.

The figures place the episode as the 21st most-watched programme of the week, putting it way behind ‘Beyond Paradise’ and ‘The Apprentice’. It was also beaten by Gladiators.

The second episode in the new series was watched by just 1.5million at the weekend, with the official consolidated figures to follow after seven days.

In a recent interview, showrunner Russell T.Davies dismissed the budget for each episode is now around £10million, calling the figure “exaggerated” but he did confirm the actual budget was “lovely” and “handsome”.

Last year, the series was given a boost when Disney came on board as an official partner, and Disney+ is now home to the show outside of the UK. But recent speculation suggests they’re set to pull the plug on the funding, and many fans are convinced the sci-fi staple is now going to be “rested” after the current series.

What once felt like idle rumours, now feels to be a given, with the publicly-funded BBC unable to justify spend on Doctor Who if Disney do pull the plug.

‘Season 3’ still hasn’t been confirmed.