The final viewing figures for New Earth have been released by BARB.
8.6 million see The Doctor and Rose Return
The opening episode of the second series drew 8.62 million viewers, making it the second most watched show on BBC One for the week beaten only by three episodes of EastEnders.
Across all UK channels the only other show to beat Who was ITV’s Coronation Street.
The figures, which include those homes which recorded the show for viewing within 7 days, cement the show’s place as the most watched non-Soap and third most watched brand on television.
Meanwhile Doctor Who confidential was watched by 761,000 viewers making it BBC Three’s third most watched show of the week.
The Green Death (BBC Four)
Our attention has also been drawn to the viewing figures for the recent BBC Four repeat of 1973’s The Green Death. Two episodes reached the channel’s top ten (week ending 09/04/2006) being watched by 223,000 (Wednesday) and 185,000 (Tuesday).
The Wednesday episode managed to beat three episodes of Life on Mars which was intended as the main feature in a season of shows marking 1973.