LONDON, March 28 (UPI) -- The BBC's relaunch of sci-fi series "Doctor Who" brought in 10.5 million viewers, 44 percent of Britain's Saturday night TV viewing audience.
The good doctor, at his new home on BBC One, beat out its 7 p.m. rival ITV's "Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway," which was watched by only 8.5 million, the Times of London reported. A further 1 million viewers were believed to have taped the show for later viewing or watched it at a "Doctor Who" party.
The last incarnation of "Doctor Who" was canceled by the BBC in 1989, when viewership fell to 4 million. The new series, starring Christopher Eccleston, matched the series' highest ratings in the 1970's, when Tom Baker portrayed the titular character.
The new "Doctor Who" is set to premier in Canada and New Zealand in April.
