‘Doctor Who’ will move into a brand new, regular Sunday time slot for Jodie Whittaker’s first series.
The science fiction classic has traditionally been a big part of Saturday evening television, but it’s been revealed that a new face in the TARDIS isn’t the only change coming for fans.
The 10 part series will launch on Sunday October 7 on BBC One, and incoming showrunner Chris Chibnall has suggested it could fit well into its time slot.
He said: "New Doctor, new home! Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor is about to burst into Sunday nights — and make the end of the weekend so much more exciting.
"Get everybody’s homework done, sort out your Monday clothes, then grab some special Sunday night popcorn, and settle down with all of the family for Sunday night adventures across space and time. (Also, move the sofa away from the wall so parents can hide behind it during the scary bits).
"The Thirteenth Doctor is falling from the sky and it’s going to be a blast."
With the exception of specials, ‘Doctor Who’ has aired on Saturday evenings since its return in 2005.
The BBC noted that "never before in the show’s history has an entire series descended to earth on a Sunday".
The specific air time hasn’t been revealed yet, but it comes after previous Time Lord Peter Capaldi suggested the Saturday night slot could have been to blame for dips in ratings.
It has had to move in favour of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ in the past, resulting in a much later broadcast.
Speaking in 2015, Peter said: "I feel it’s slightly used as a pawn in a Saturday night warfare. I feel as if it should go out at 7:30pm or around that time.
"I see a lot of kids and a lot of families and these families who all love ‘Doctor Who’ want to sit down and watch it together. I used to do that with my daughter when it came back so it has to be on at a time that’s reasonable for them to do that."
Doctor Who moving to Sunday nights for new series
