Doctor Who - Oxygen had an Audience Appreciation or AI figure of 83

The Appreciation Index in an indication of how much viewers enjoyed the episode. It is based to the reactions of a selected panel of viewers, who rate the episode shortly after transmission.

83 is considered a good score, roughly similar to the scores achieved by the last series of the show,

The score was the highest for the evening on the two main channels.

Oxygen has debuted in Australia, averaging 437,000 viewers in the five major capital cities. The story was the second highest rating ABC drama of the day and the thirteenth highest rating program of the day overall. These ratings do not include iview, regional or time-shifted viewers.

Meanwhile, including time-shifted viewers, Thin Ice averaged 553,000 consolidated viewers in the five major capital cities. With 83,000 extra viewers it was the fifth highest time-shifted program of the day (the highest time-shifted program had 94,000 extra viewers) and the eleventh highest rating program of the day overall. These ratings do not include iview or regional viewers.

Press reaction to this week's Doctor Who episode Oxygen is in with most reviewers enjoying the episode.

The Telegraph called the story terrific and tense. "It was suitably scary, right from that eerie 2001-meets-Alien opening scene when shadows loomed up behind poor Ellie (Katie Brayben), before Ivan (Kieran Bew) saw her helmet slowly floating past. The lurching zombie army had a real sense of menace, claiming three victims on-camera, with genuine jeopardy for Bill. "

The Mirror called the story a claustrophobic treat "Writer Jamie Mathieson has proven his worth in the Whoniverse, with previous outings including Flatline and Mummy On The Orient Express. The sense of impending doom is notched up skillfully, from cutting off the TARDIS, leaving the leads no choice but to get into the 'death suits' and jaw-dropping moments where The Doctor leaves Bill to her apparent fate not once but twice."

Digital Spy felt the episode was bloody brilliant. "it's a story told with a great deal of wit and place, is stylishly produced, and does most everything you want Doctor Who to do on a Saturday evening. From the off, returning writer Jamie Mathieson displays a real talent for economical storytelling – with a strong, evocative opening that quickly establishes its two characters, their connection and why we should care about them, then follows up with a chilling execution."

Den of Geek also liked the story "I’d argue it was as good a standalone episode of Who as we’ve had this run. Given that there’s not been a duffer, that’s no small feat or backhanded compliment, either."

Radio Times felt the story was creepy but the premise absurd. "I struggle with the central conceit that in the future, in space, oxygen will be a commodity that you pay for dearly, even with your life. It lends a wry, more literal meaning to such everyday phrases as “Save your breath” and “You’re wasting your breath”. But I don’t really believe it. "

Ars Technica gave the episode a B- "Overall, Oxygen (written by Jamie Mathieson—whose previous credits include Flatline and The Girl Who Died) is another very good episode for series 10 of Doctor Who, with a dark foreboding that ought to remind the Doctor that fear makes companions of us all."

AV Club says the episode bites off way more than it can chew feeling the story should have been spread over two episodes. "Oxygen is at its best when it is straightforward, verging on over the top—the Doctor’s line about fighting an algorithm is great, as is the immediate follow-up about how they’re fighting the suits—but there are other, subtle critiques threaded throughout the episode that pass by so quickly they don’t quite register as part of a larger message."

Doctor Who Watch again praised Peter Capaldi's acting "I thought this episode let Capaldi shine in a way we haven’t seen before. In one of his most human moments, doing something for one of the most human consequences, he still does it, despite the risk. He plays throughout this episode in a light-hearted manner most of the time, but serious when he needs to be. This episode brought out the perfect balance between personalities."

IGN had a mixed response to the story "The episode itself is not one of Season 10’s strongest outings. There’s a lot of busy work involving the spacesuits which keep the Doctor and his pals alive, but what should be the most effective dramatic moments of the segment -- Bill’s “death” and the Doctor’s being struck blind -- don’t quite land."

Screen Rant likes this year's story arc. "Framing the Doctor’s yearning for adventure and freedom with his obligation to watch over the vault is a clever way of serving the needs of the season’s mysterious overarching storyline with the recurring theme of institutions operating in bad faith."

Finally, Games Radar thought Oxygen was marvelous praising Pearl Mackie's performance as Bill. "Seeing her scream for her mum when the Doctor leaves her behind is guttural and heart-wrenching. Pearl Mackie’s acting is consistently honest, raw at times, and never, ever whimsy." Link to Doctor Who News Review

Doctor Who - Oxygen achieved an overnight viewing audience of 3.57 million viewers, a share of 20% of the total TV audience, according to unofficial figures.

BBC One occupied three of the top four spots for the day, with Oxygen achieving fourth place; third place went to the preceeding Pointless Celebrities (which itself contained a Doctor Who related round) with just 100,000 additional viewers (3.58m/23.1%). The annual Eurovision Song Contest took second place with 6.73m viewers (35.2%). However, top spot once again went to ITV's Britain's Got Talent with 7.96m viewers (36.8% share). These are average figures across the whole of the programme, with the Eurovision Song Contest's audience reaching 8.37m (58.7% share) as the final results of the contest were being announced.

Consolidated viewing figures are expected to be released by BARB on 22nd May, which should see Doctor Who's figure increase.

Oxygen: Main Broadcast Details
United Kingdom	BBC One	Sat 13 May 2017	7:15pm BST
Middle East	BBC First	Sat 13 May 2017	9:20pm AST	(Sat 7:20pm BST)
United States of America	BBC America	Sat 13 May 2017	9:00pm EDT	(Sun 2:00am BST)
Canada	SPACE	Sat 13 May 2017	9:00pm EDT	(Sun 2:00am BST)
New Zealand	PRIME	Sun 14 May 2017	7:30pm NZST	(Sun 7:30am BST)
Finland	YLE2	Sun 14 May 2017	11:30am EEST	(Sun 9:30am BST)
Australia	ABC	Sun 14 May 2017	7:40pm AEST	(Sun 10:40am BST, also on ABC ME)
Brazil	SyFy	Sun 14 May 2017	8:00pm BRT	(Sun 11:00pm BST)
Latin America	SyFy	Sun 14 May 2017	10:00pm CDT	(Mon 4:00am BST)

Full listings here

Candy Jar have announced the second novel in the 2017 series of Lethbridge-Stewart books:


The book, which follows on from this month's Night of the Intelligence, sees Lethbridge-Stewart’s fiancee, Sally, take a more central role in the story, in what will prove to be something of a game-changer for the series as a whole. Range Editor Andy Frankham-Allen says:

Writer Sarah Groenewegen (who wrote 2016 short story The Lock-In) said:
The book includes a foreword by popular Doctor Who and Star Trek scribe, Una McCormack:

The cover was designed by Lethbridge-Stewart regular artist Adrian Salmon:
Sarah felt it beautifully illustrates her initial idea:


The Daughters of Earth is available for pre-order now, either individually or as part of a discounted UK bundle (which includes the novels Night of the Intelligence by Andy Frankham-Allen, and The Dreamer’s Lament by Benjamin Buford-Jones). Full details can be found via the Candy Jar website.

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Candy Jar still has thirty copies of the novella bundles left. The Life of Evans has been posted out, but both The Flaming Soldier and Day of the Intelligence can be pre-ordered - these are only available directly from Candy Jar Books.

The actor Geoffrey Bayldon has died at the age of 93

Geoffrey Bayldon was best known for his portrayal of Catweazle, the eccentric 11th-century wizard who was the star of the LWT children's series produced in the early 1970's, as well as playing the Crowman in the Jon Pertwee series Worzel Gummidge.

Bayldon was considered for the role of the Doctor twice. First when the series was commissioned in 1963. He turned the offer down, worried about playing such an old character and not wanting to commit to the then unknown series. When Hartnell left the role in 1966, Bayldon was again the frame to play The Doctor, but once more decided against joining the programme. It was not until 1979 that he eventually did appear in the series when he played Organon the astrologer in the Tom Baker story The Creature from the Pit

He would eventually voice the Doctor in the Big Finish Doctor Who Unbound stories Auld Mortality and A Storm of Angels.

Bayldon was born in Leeds in 1923. He joined the Royal Air Force and had a period studying architecture, before fulfilling his dream of becoming an actor, training at the Old Vic Theatre School. He was a regular face on British television from 1950's onwards appearing in Sword of Freedom, The Case of the Frightened Lady, An Age of Kings, The Victorians, The Massingham Affair, The Woman in White, Z Cars and The Adventures of Robin Hood where he played Count de Severne.

In 1970 he accepted the role of Catweazle, first appearing on Sundays afternoons in February 1970. It was a role that would endear him to a generation of children. The character, an eccentric medieval wizard trapped in the 20th century, amused and delighted both adults and children alike. In 2010 Bayldon spoke about the role. In 1979 he entertained another generation of kids when he took the role of The Crowman in the Southern TV adaptation of Worzel Gummidge and in 1995 played Magic Grandad, an eccentric who took his grandchildren back in time to see historical events, a concept similar to the original premise of Doctor Who.

He remained a well-known character actor working well into his eighties, with appearances in Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, All Creatures Great and Small, Blott on the Landscape, Juliet Bravo, Devenish, Fort Boyard, Casualty, Heartbeat, Waking the Dead, My Family and New Tricks.

Geoffrey Bayldon died on 10th May 2017. His partner Alan Rowe died in 2000.

German DVD distributer Pandastorm Pictures announced on their Facebook page the release of The Caves of Androzani ("Die Höhlen von Androzani") for the German market. The serial will be dubbed to German specifically for this release, as no German dub exists for any story before The Twin Dilemma, with the exception of The Five Doctors.

The Caves of Androzani has never been broadcasted on German television. In the late 80's and early 90's German TV channel RTL Plus transmitted all serials featuring the seventh Doctor. In 1995 the channel VOX aired The Five Doctors and all serials featuring the sixth Doctor. All those stories have been released by Pandastorm Pictures on DVD boxed sets in the past few years.

There will be two different versions of Die Höhlen von Androzani:

• Collectors Edition Mediabook: Limited and numbered to 1,500 copies. This edition looks like a book and will feature an extensive booklet and the English- and German-language soundtracks and subtitles. Also includes all special features that can be found on the UK Special Edition DVD. Release date: 25th August 2017
  
• Regular Edition: Will be the same as the Mediabook, only in a standart DVD slip case. Release date: 13th October 2017

All Doctor Who DVD's by Pandastorm Pictures are usually code-free. The DVD is not available for pre-order yet.

Official figures released by the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board or BARB, give Doctor Who - Thin Ice an official rating of 5.51 million viewers.

The rating includes all those who recorded the programme and watched it within 7 days.

Doctor Who is the 25th most watched programme for the week, and 10th most watched on BBC One

Top for the week was ITV's Britain's Got Talent with 10.60 million watching. Drama's doing well include BBC One's Line of Duty with 9.92 million and ITV's Little Boy Blue with 7.17 million. Doctor Who sliped behind the soaps EastEnders and Emmerdale as well as Coronation Street.

Doctor Who was the second highest BBC One programme for Saturday night, just behind of the entertainment show All Round to Mrs Brown's

The BBC have released a number of new publicity images to promote this week's episode of Doctor Who, Oxygen
This week BBC One will show Doctor Who five minutes earlier than usual, at 7.15pm, in order to accomadate the Eurovision Song Contest which starts at 8pm.

Oxygen: Main Broadcast Details
United Kingdom	BBC One	Sat 13 May 2017	7:15pm BST
Middle East	BBC First	Sat 13 May 2017	9:20pm AST	(Sat 7:20pm BST)
United States of America	BBC America	Sat 13 May 2017	9:00pm EDT	(Sun 2:00am BST)
Canada	SPACE	Sat 13 May 2017	9:00pm EDT	(Sun 2:00am BST)
Finland	YLE2	Sun 14 May 2017	11:30am EEST	(Sun 9:30am BST)
Australia	ABC	Sun 14 May 2017	7:40pm AEST	(Sun 10:40am BST, also on ABC ME)
Brazil	SyFy	Sun 14 May 2017	8:00pm BRT	(Sun 11:00pm BST)
Latin America	SyFy	Sun 14 May 2017	10:00pm CDT	(Mon 4:00am BST)
New Zealand	PRIME	Sun 14 May 2017	7:30pm NZST	(Mon 7:30am BST)

Full listings here