‘Doctor Who’ Hands BBC America Its Most-Watched Saturday Night Ever

Cable channel got a little help from “Intruders” too, of course

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From Left, Jenna Coleman and Peter Capaldi in Season 8 premiere episode. (BBC America)

The results are in: America loves Peter Capaldi as “Doctor Who” — at least initially. The debut of the new doctor handed BBC America its most-watched Saturday night ever, when combined with “Intruders,” of course.

Capaldi’s first full episode as the titular doctor gave the cable channel 2.2 million viewers at 8:15 p.m. in the Season 8 opener. Upwards of one million of those came from the key 25-54 demographic.

Also read: ‘Doctor Who’ Premiere Review: A More Grounded, Less Romantic Hero Continues the Line

Those numbers represent a 46 percent and 39 percent increase, respectively, from the premiere of Season 7’s Part Two, the most recently marked “Doctor Who” debut.

They are also good enough to hand “Doctor Who” its highest-rated premiere on BBC America to-date. The drama was the No. 1 cable program among total viewers viewers and those in the demo.

Also read: ‘True Blood’ Series Finale Draws Season Ratings High; ‘Leftovers’ Hits Series High

“Intruders” at 10 p.m. got 796,000 total viewers.

“After Who Live,” the “Doctor Who” post show at 11 p.m., pulled in an additional 408,000 viewers. “Doctor Who” re-aired at 12:15 a.m. (310,000 viewers) and at  3:15 a.m. (78,000 viewers).

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