The History of Doctor Who Viewing Figures: The Wilderness Years Part 1 (1990-1995)

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  • Опубліковано 26 лис 2024

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  • @AdamMartyn
    @AdamMartyn  2 роки тому +16

    Thank you all so much for joining me in the long-awaited return of the History of Doctor Who Viewing Figures!
    This was a long time coming, and also took a long time to put together! Leaving a like, a comment or subscribing would be hugely appreciated! If you want to see new episodes of this and other AMTV shows early, then you can by joining us on Patreon, or by becoming a Staff Member by hitting JOIN here on UA-cam!
    patreon.com/adammartynamtv

  • @edwinhiley6281
    @edwinhiley6281 2 роки тому +6

    This was an excellent video but, understandably couldn't cover everything so I will just make a few points. Regarding the screening of the 'Pilot' episode, it was not shown "one summer's night" but early-afternoon at 2.15 pm. I would also argue it shouldn't be regarded as a repeat as it had never been aired before. The first three stories shown in 1992 (with the exception of the two Mind Robber episodes shown in a later timeslot) had a lead in of Thunderbirds, which, although being a repeat of a show almost as old as The Time Meddler, had beccome a surprise hit, becoming particularly popular with a new generation of children, most of whom had never seen it before. The first episode of The TIme Meddler was also preceded by documentary/clipshow Resistance is Useless. This one off became notorious for its use of a talking anorak with a Brummie accent as host which was widely considered to be a less than flattering portrayal of the shows fans. Despite this it garnered pretty good ratings. By November the repeats were preceded by the pairing of another Gerry Anderson show, Stingray which was followed by US 60's spy caper The Man From UNCLE, which whilst popular were arguably not as strong a lead in as Thunderbirds.

  • @joelakat
    @joelakat 2 роки тому +9

    The effort and care you put into this project simply shines through the screen. It's more than just viewing figures -- it resurrects a little bit of that feeling of what being there must have been like. I didn't become a proper fan until around 94/95, and remember anticipating what VHS I was going to see in the shops and reading about the recovery of Tomb of the Cybermen, the mixed feelings about Dimensions In Time and the upcoming film -- and my favorite memory, the debut of the recolorized "The Daemons" on PBS in America (the first time I'd ever seen a Pertwee in color). Thanks for leaning into this niche and covering it in such detail. I'm sure I'll return to this series again and again!

  • @IanGorton
    @IanGorton 2 роки тому +5

    Interesting little titbit. During the wilderness years here in Australia the ABC showed Dr Who Repeats as filler content when they started 24 Hour a day transmission. Usually show at 4:30am
    Also on another note. Love the Red Dwarf podcast you have been doing too. Glad you have come on board as a Dwarfer.

  • @BobbyDazzler440
    @BobbyDazzler440 2 роки тому +18

    Worthy on inclusion on The Collection set! Excellent work.

    • @AdamMartyn
      @AdamMartyn  2 роки тому +6

      Thank you so much pal! That would be an honour indeed!

  • @coopercane500
    @coopercane500 2 роки тому +15

    At the end of the day, I can't be too mad at Dimensions in Time. It gave a lot of former cast members a chance to return, and it was all for a good cause. I can't hate that.

    • @Peteman81
      @Peteman81 2 роки тому +2

      I do get a feeling Dimensions in Time, Search Out Space and other items will be joining the TV Movie for the 8th Doctor Collection on Blu-ray - it would be great if this programme, and part(s?) 2 and 3(?) did as well - really informative

    • @carealoo744
      @carealoo744 2 роки тому +2

      "She hates me! She even hates children!"
      Still the greatest line ever written.

    • @ItsButterBean1020
      @ItsButterBean1020 Рік тому

      @@carealoo744 I’m convinced this was a Tom Baker addition fr

  • @darrylnevels6141
    @darrylnevels6141 2 роки тому +3

    I have this on my media I watch till this day and going back to watching it on Sunday's.

  • @stephencoppins9467
    @stephencoppins9467 2 роки тому +4

    Another potential reason why Battlefield may have received low repeat viewing figures, is because of the affordability of home VHS video recorders in the mid-late 1980s (that was certainly the case in Australia, and assume it would have been similar in the UK), which made it easy to record television shows. So despite there being no official video release of Battlefield, I’m sure a lot of Doctor Who fans already had it on tape, from the original broadcast.

  • @michaelwebster8666
    @michaelwebster8666 2 роки тому +3

    Thank you Adam for putting this together.
    Brings back a lot of memories, the early 90's is when I really got into collecting the VHS tapes, New Adventures novels & the DWM. UK Gold was the icing on the wilderness years cake though!
    Best wishes 👍

  • @ridbensdale
    @ridbensdale 2 роки тому +6

    Search out Science was a schools programme. A lot of schools telly back then was recorded to be watched at a later date.
    I remember watching Search out Space in school. But, if I’m honest, I was in Year 9 and we were only watching it to see the Doctor.
    A splendid video as always.

  • @frankshailes3205
    @frankshailes3205 2 роки тому +4

    You say niche but at times it has seemed like the core discussion topic of fandom!

  • @lukethomas216
    @lukethomas216 Рік тому +2

    Those repeat seasons made a life-long fan of me and Green Death in particular improved tedious Sunday afternoons no end. Great vid 👍😁

  • @whosptoly
    @whosptoly 2 роки тому +3

    YES IM SO GLAD ITS BACK

  • @frankshailes3205
    @frankshailes3205 2 роки тому +4

    One thing I was slightly surprised you didn't cover was the star-studded BSB Galaxy channel Doctor Who Weekend after which they started showing all the stories in order (until Sky bought them out). Think it was 1991, and my folks had a Squarial installed just so we could watch the series. Luckily UK Gold took over where BSB left off, a couple of years later. It was amazing seeing people like Dave Martin being interviewed though, and stories like Edge of Destruction which were incredibly hard to get hold of until then. There were also some 1993-ish BBC radio shows - Nicholas Courney narrated a documentary on that in some ways covered similar ground to More Than 30 Years, the Whatever Happened To... Susan Foreman? play, and there was that TV documentary with Steve "Who Line Is It Anyway" Steen's talking anorak "Resistance Is Useless" made by the Late Show team (I think) that led to the BBC2 repeats. All in all with the videos and books it hardly felt that the show had gone away. 1997 to 2003 (barring brie signs of life in 1999) felt somewhat bleaker though the start of the DVDs and their extras, sparse at first, was a new dawn of sorts.

    • @AnthonyP73
      @AnthonyP73 9 місяців тому

      The ABC down under did the same thing

  • @BH-98
    @BH-98 2 роки тому +2

    I got The legacy collection dvd set for my 15th birthday nearly 10 years ago & was what sparked my interest to finally get into the classic series. The 30 years in the tardis documentary was great

  • @markdavidson9100
    @markdavidson9100 2 роки тому +3

    A solid piece of work as always, these adventures take me back to my GCSEs and leaving school. Thanks for everything you do

  • @capmodesty
    @capmodesty 2 роки тому +4

    Good video, my first memories of Doctor Who comes from the Third Doctor repeats of the late 90's starting with Spearhead from Space, not sure how they happened but I remember really enjoying them, interested to find out how they did ratings wise in the future :)

  • @Mark-nh2hs
    @Mark-nh2hs 2 роки тому +2

    Seeing all those Doctor Who VHS reminds me of my collection and the memories of getting them lol.

  • @benflay6038
    @benflay6038 2 роки тому +2

    What a fantastic video thank you.
    I remember this all happening the postcards and posters in dwm ,Alistair Pearson becoming the main artist
    the UK gold repeats and repeats on bbc2 watching in my bedroom on a small portable and some stories first time seeing and a lot become my faves.
    The conventions at the time the merchandise the books the new reference books it being on bbc radio it was good time

  • @LLavery
    @LLavery 2 роки тому +6

    Thanks Martyn, really interesting stuff. It looks like the VHS promo seen at approx 25:08 might be using a special effect from the Red Dwarf series 3 episode 'Polymorph'.

  • @RebeccaPhythian
    @RebeccaPhythian 2 роки тому +3

    This is just brilliant for anybody that is a visual learner or is visually impaired. You're work suits pretty much any audience that wants to experience it! Great video, really enjoyed this ❤️

  • @bedwyrgullidge86
    @bedwyrgullidge86 2 роки тому +2

    Great detail. I remember this era well as those 1992 repeats are what got me into Doctor Who!

  • @SamyulDavis
    @SamyulDavis 2 роки тому +2

    I think I'd listen to you covering anything at this point. Just one of those documentary voices.

  • @JAProductions494
    @JAProductions494 2 роки тому +9

    This was an absolutely stellar return to this series
    I really missed it NGL
    My jaw was on the floor with the Dimensions in Time viewing figures 😂

  • @DCSMedia
    @DCSMedia 2 роки тому +10

    The history of Doctor who viewing figures…
    Now that’s a series I’ve not seen in a long time. A long time.
    Yet again, an incredible instalment in this series. You’re really great at weaving this information into an ongoing story, going through Doctor Who’s highs, lows, and it’s time off the air, when hope of it returning seems to dwindle year on year. With 1994, that was definitely the case, but as we know, the Doctor was victorious in the end.
    Also I have a question. When you get to modern who, how are you planning to cover the specials (e.g Xmas Specials, 50th, etc) will they be their own video or a part of their respective series (e.g, Last Christmas as part of Series 8)

  • @ppotter
    @ppotter 2 роки тому +3

    I remember an advert for Reeves & Mortimer's Catterick having to be re-dubbed when they used the incorrect pronunciation of Mark Gatiss's name back in 2004. I hope he doesn't make you do the same 😉

  • @jlbwho7913
    @jlbwho7913 2 роки тому +3

    My all time favourite UA-cam series is back, I'm about to make a hot chocolate and get started watching!!!

  • @CardiffOneOne
    @CardiffOneOne 2 роки тому +4

    Ah, the return of "I would argue", "viewership" and "more on that when we get there."

  • @Stygosi
    @Stygosi 2 роки тому +2

    Noel's House Party was massive! And today's ITV Ant and Dec give some idea as to how big Saturday TV shows get. Noel's House Party was probably double or triple what Saturday night's get now. Great video!

  • @craigpotter4610
    @craigpotter4610 2 роки тому +4

    This is amazing. Continuing the high standard. Welcome back with this series strand.

    • @AdamMartyn
      @AdamMartyn  2 роки тому +1

      Thank you so much Craig! Glad the return was worth the wait!

  • @MancPeteYT
    @MancPeteYT 2 роки тому +2

    I love how BBC Video's trailers for Doctor Who featured the Polymorph's pod from Red Dwarf. They never really knew how to categorise Dwarf, was it a sci-fi or a sitcom? (It's both, but personally I consider it more of a sitcom)

  • @FreedSpiritProd
    @FreedSpiritProd 2 роки тому +2

    Excellent. Glad these are carrying on ❤️

  • @josephryan362
    @josephryan362 2 роки тому +2

    I really like dimensions in time it is one of my anniversary Dr who stores and I really like downtime and more than 30 years in the TARDIS

  • @garybryant1501
    @garybryant1501 2 роки тому +2

    Proves what a fantastic concept Doctor Who is
    It' can thrive in any media and format even when asleep it still dreamed 😁

  • @TheRealUnkn0wn_289
    @TheRealUnkn0wn_289 2 роки тому +2

    Actually doctor who's first radioplay was in the 60s alongside Daleks Invasion Earth 2150AD, it featured Peter Cushing and was meant to be a pilot for a radio show, but didn't get picked up, it is now lost, though a recreation was made on soundcloud

  • @carealoo744
    @carealoo744 2 роки тому +1

    I love this video as a helpful guide to the Wilderness Years:)

  • @thomasstevens2746
    @thomasstevens2746 2 роки тому +3

    Oooo great video
    Been looking forward to this

  • @robalexander8065
    @robalexander8065 2 роки тому +1

    Great documentary, Adam. I appreciate the viewing figures are solely related to the programme itself. I note you mentioned the well-known 1993 documentary Thirty Years in the TARDIS (which I believe got around 3.9 million viewers). However, the 1992 reruns were prefaced by a half hour documentary called Resistance is Useless. I was surprised you didn't mention this. Resistance was perhaps most memorable for its depiction of a fan as a literal anorak spouting facts.

  • @macra_
    @macra_ 2 роки тому +2

    Another fantastic entry to the series! Great seeing what was around during the wilderness years both on screen and in physical media, looking forward to part 2!!

    • @AdamMartyn
      @AdamMartyn  2 роки тому +2

      So glad you enjoyed it! Was worried at first that it wouldn't be that entertaining! Hopefully it won't be another 10 months until Part 2 😂

    • @macra_
      @macra_ 2 роки тому +1

      @@AdamMartyn All of your videos are entertaining! Take all the time you need :)

  • @Gerrypotterpoet
    @Gerrypotterpoet 2 роки тому +2

    Such wonderfully detailed fascinating content, I loved every second. Gx

  • @jaygent2836
    @jaygent2836 2 роки тому +3

    very interesting, informative and well researched

  • @leejones8582
    @leejones8582 2 роки тому +2

    Not having Rik Mayall in Doctor Who was a real shame.

  • @System_Sega
    @System_Sega 2 роки тому +4

    The spaceship from that Doctor Who Video advert does look a lot like a SFX shot from Red Dwarf (Polymorph from series 3).

    • @AdamMartyn
      @AdamMartyn  2 роки тому +1

      Little bit of cross promotion maybe 👀

    • @LLavery
      @LLavery 2 роки тому +1

      Ha! I said almost the same thing! Must have missed your comment

    • @JRGJackGorman
      @JRGJackGorman 2 роки тому +1

      I’m glad I’m not the only one that thought this!

  • @friendlyotaku9525
    @friendlyotaku9525 Рік тому +1

    Will you be doing more of these at some point? I miss this series!

  • @liamwhite6451
    @liamwhite6451 8 місяців тому

    A fascinating insight to the "wilderness" years! Oh, and wasn't that the Polymorph's container (Red Dwarf) in the Doctor Who BBC Video ad?

  • @sd-11-11-sd
    @sd-11-11-sd 2 роки тому +2

    This is lovely work sir, very enjoyable and informative!

  • @CulturePhilter
    @CulturePhilter 2 роки тому +2

    Do you know when The Green Death was first aired on UK Gold? It’s one of my earliest memories of watching Who but not sure if it was before or after Dimensions in Time.

    • @CulturePhilter
      @CulturePhilter 2 роки тому +1

      Oh wait. It was probably actually the 1994 BBC 2 repeat I’m remembering watching. (Don’t think we had Sky by 93/94) so that means I definitely watched Dimensions in Time first.
      The mystery of what my first Doctor Who episode was continues. I’m pretty sure I must have watched SOMETHING before Dimensions in Time because I was anticipating watching it.
      I remeber owning The 5 Doctors and Daleks on VHS. So I think one of those is a contender and I think it’s possible I bought those from having seen the Peter Cushing Dalek movies. And probably recognizing the Daleks. 🤔

  • @rogerdarthwell5393
    @rogerdarthwell5393 2 роки тому +3

    This is amazing!

  • @AxlePineapple
    @AxlePineapple 2 роки тому

    this is when i first got into the show. to tiny me doctor who was a seemingly bottomless well of cool old repeats.

  • @Shew28
    @Shew28 2 роки тому +3

    Great stuff… I will just say in the 90’s I know that I didn’t watch the repeats at time of airing, but taped them on VHS, I wonder if others did?

    • @LLavery
      @LLavery 2 роки тому +1

      Oh I definitely did 😊

  • @lewisfrisby5673
    @lewisfrisby5673 2 роки тому +3

    That was amazing well worth the wait

    • @AdamMartyn
      @AdamMartyn  2 роки тому +1

      Thank you Lewis! Hopefully the wait won't be as long for the next one!

    • @lewisfrisby5673
      @lewisfrisby5673 2 роки тому +2

      @@AdamMartyn yes hopefully

  • @Jaketherobonrd
    @Jaketherobonrd 2 роки тому +2

    I’ll look forward to part 2 because thats when I come in to the world of Doctor Who

  • @thomaswhalley7088
    @thomaswhalley7088 2 роки тому +1

    no wonder they didnt discuss about Doctor Who The Davison Years & Doctor Who The McCoy Years VHS Release

  • @johnmabey3245
    @johnmabey3245 2 роки тому +2

    I'm pretty sure that the Sea Devils was shown in 1991 when the cricket got rained off. Just one episode. Very odd.

  • @Tvsnumber1fan
    @Tvsnumber1fan 7 місяців тому

    I know that I am late to this but the only other time that Doctor Who got viewing figures even approaching what it got in 1979, during the ITV strike beside “Dimensions in Time” was in 2007 when “Voyage of the Damned” aired on that particular years Christmas Day because it had pop singer Kylie Minogue playing the companion. “Voyage of the Damned” had approximately 13.31 million viewers which makes it the most watched episode of modern Who.
    And actually, as someone else pointed out in the comments, the reruns of “Thunderbirds” on BBC2 were getting much higher viewing figures than “Doctor Who” repeats were in the early 1990s and “Thunderbirds” debut in the 1960s as well. “Thunderbirds” were so popular in the early 1990s that “Blue Peter” showed kids how to make homemade versions of Tracy Island because the toy version had sold out at many toy shops across the United Kingdom. The BBC 2 repeats were how I became a fan of “Thunderbirds” in the first place like many of my generation in the United Kingdom.

  • @doctorwhoproductions834
    @doctorwhoproductions834 2 роки тому +2

    I like Dimensions in Time, it’s silly and the dialogue is a bit off but it is fun and it’s nice to see loads of Doctors and companions together and of course it’s canon, why wouldn’t it be, ill argue with any one

    • @TheRealUnkn0wn_289
      @TheRealUnkn0wn_289 2 роки тому +1

      Dimensions in Time is more canon than the modern series or even the classic series

  • @ftumschk
    @ftumschk 2 роки тому +1

    38:40 Ah, "Dimensions in Time", where we learn that Leela has regenerated into Pocahontas ;)

  • @titanictotired
    @titanictotired 2 роки тому +2

    I love this, can't wait for part 2 :)

  • @rnw2739
    @rnw2739 2 роки тому +1

    Would love to know what mong picked the stories for the repeats in 92 and 93 as I remember being absolutely incensed at 'Genesis of the Daleks' and 'The Caves of Androzani' being selected as they were both already available on video which I owned. I vowed at the time to track down and murder that person if the Sixth Doctor story selected was 'Vengeance on Varos' or 'The Twin Dilemma' (also all available at the time)..... thankfully they went with 'Revelation of the Daleks' and so, the aforementioned mong, still lives...

  • @stephenreed2093
    @stephenreed2093 2 роки тому +2

    Your Trial of a Time Lord box is ripped in the exact same place mine was. Did EVERYONE'S box rip in the same corner??? LOL

    • @rnw2739
      @rnw2739 2 роки тому +2

      Mine never..... and I had Patrick Troughton on the bottom of mine.

    • @stephenreed2093
      @stephenreed2093 2 роки тому +2

      @@rnw2739 I have Patrick Troughton too!

  • @ryanlamb2636
    @ryanlamb2636 2 роки тому +3

    Nice video mate, when will part 2 will be mate.

    • @AdamMartyn
      @AdamMartyn  2 роки тому +3

      Not too sure! The next instalment will focus on 1996, mainly on the McGann movie, and then the instalment after that will be the remainder of the Wilderness Years, 97-04

  • @philatkin2261
    @philatkin2261 2 роки тому +3

    Brilliant thank u

  • @craigpotter4610
    @craigpotter4610 2 роки тому +2

    I work with the director of Search Out Science!

    • @AdamMartyn
      @AdamMartyn  2 роки тому

      What a coincidence! Tell them I have a major soft spot for Search Out Space!

  • @timrob12
    @timrob12 2 роки тому +3

    Out of curiosity, will you also be covering the spin-offs once New Who rolls around?

    • @AdamMartyn
      @AdamMartyn  2 роки тому +1

      Not hugely, but they will get a mention!

    • @timrob12
      @timrob12 2 роки тому +2

      @@AdamMartyn Understandable. If you have to keep them in mind, things might get even more complicated.

  • @TheJaime9526
    @TheJaime9526 2 роки тому +1

    What is that cover for time wyrm revelation? (Also, search out science had a captive audience in school kids being shown it. ;) )

  • @andy57496
    @andy57496 10 місяців тому

    I remember the hype around dimensions in time...i also remember the dissapointment on watching it.

  • @abby4590lohan
    @abby4590lohan 2 роки тому +1

    I was born in 1994 during the wilderness years of doctor who

  • @craigpotter4610
    @craigpotter4610 2 роки тому +1

    That’s a curious NA book cover there?

  • @waz207
    @waz207 Рік тому

    Prior to watching, I’m wondering why the Wilderness years, with maybe 2-3 “episodes” of Doctor Who, has a part 1 attached to it…guess I’ll find out!

  • @carealoo744
    @carealoo744 2 роки тому

    I always found the omnibus versions annoying. I get that they have their benefits, but I personally just wanted to know where the cliffhangers were. I probably would have too did to some of these repeats just for the sake of learning where the cliffhangers are supposed to go

  • @invisibleray6987
    @invisibleray6987 2 роки тому +1

    The wilderness years LMAO 🤣🤣 IT WAS SAD TIMES, I missed the doctor even though I wasn't a fan

  • @craigpotter4610
    @craigpotter4610 2 роки тому

    When’s the next part please Adam?

  • @thomasstevens2746
    @thomasstevens2746 2 роки тому +1

    Is new who viewing figures coming soon

  • @Jamestopboy
    @Jamestopboy 2 роки тому +1

    So you are going all the way to the Modern day? Oooooh!

  • @craigpotter4610
    @craigpotter4610 2 роки тому

    I mean, Part 3?

  • @andrewbowman4611
    @andrewbowman4611 2 роки тому +2

    A small point, but it does matter: Gatiss is pronounced 'gay-tiss'. Frankly, it's a source of continued bewilderment how so many people get it wrong. Unless, of course, you're mispronouncing his name deliberately in order to elicit a response such as mine.

    • @AdamMartyn
      @AdamMartyn  2 роки тому +1

      Wouldn't intend to mispronounce! I'll correct it in future videos!

    • @rnw2739
      @rnw2739 2 роки тому +1

      Who cares? We all know who he means. It's like David BOWie (as in bow and arrow) or BOWie (take a bow after a show).... loads of people still pronounce both. I'm sure it isn't done deliberately as you imply and how anyone can become so incensed at an innocently mispronounced surname is yet more evidence of how insanely sensitive, pathetic and histrionic people have now become.

    • @andrewbowman4611
      @andrewbowman4611 2 роки тому +1

      @@rnw2739 It's how his name is pronounced. It's a curious phenomenon, frankly. It's 'dave-iss' not 'day-veez', or 'moff-it', not 'moff-at' (despite spelling). The other thing is that it's simple linguistic structure: gate; replace the e with another vowel (in this case an i) while retaining the same sound. As in alligator for example. Unless you pronounce it 'alli-gat-er'. Another indicator is it's a single t: a double t (tt) would more likely be pronounced 'gatt-iss'. The exception to the rule is the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe who, despite the double p, pronounced it maple-thorpe.
      In any case, to not care about pronouncing someone's name correctly smacks of disrespect. Also, your Bowie allusion is flawed from the start, as he himself was never sure. Personally, I pronounce as per my own surname (i.e. bow and arrow), but the alternative is deemed acceptable as well, it seems.
      Finally, I'm not being offended, I'm being irritated. Big difference, quite honestly.

  • @suk6323
    @suk6323 2 роки тому

    27

  • @purefoldnz3070
    @purefoldnz3070 2 роки тому

    Thank god Dr Who was cancelled when it was. The world wasn't ready for Uncle Vernon from Harry Potter as the Doctor.

    • @rnw2739
      @rnw2739 2 роки тому

      The world certainly isn't ready for a female companion with a penis but it's coming (the companion not the penis) and I'm sure that will elicit another 'Wilderness' period...