'They take Dr Who for granted': Peter Capaldi blasts BBC bosses for tampering with the show's family-friendly time slot
It's one of the BBC's most watched shows, entertaining millions of fans across the world.
But Peter Capaldi has claimed that network bosses have taken Dr Who 'for granted' after pushing back the Saturday night viewing slot to a time unsuitable for many of their younger viewers.
Speaking to Newsweek, the 57-year-old actor revealed he was upset by last year's decision to move the programme behind Strictly Come Dancing, admitting, 'It does frustrate me.'
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![Taking their Time (Lord)! Peter Capaldi has claimed that network bosses have taken Dr Who 'for granted' after pushing back the Saturday night viewing slot to a time unsuitable for their younger viewers](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/03/11/22/321B475800000578-3488421-image-a-79_1457736400912.jpg)
Taking their Time (Lord)! Peter Capaldi has claimed that network bosses have taken Dr Who 'for granted' after pushing back the Saturday night viewing slot to a time unsuitable for their younger viewers
He added: 'If you’re going to have a family show, I think you have to build up a little ritual around it - and that ritual usually starts with having it on at the same time [every week].
'Even I didn’t know what time it was on because it got later and later and later.'
MailOnline has contacted the BBC, who declined to comment.
![Family values: The 57-year-old actor revealed he was upset by last year's decision to move the programme behind Strictly Come Dancing, claiming it made the programme hard to watch by families](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/03/11/22/321B1D6400000578-3488421-image-a-88_1457736526056.jpg)
Family values: The 57-year-old actor revealed he was upset by last year's decision to move the programme behind Strictly Come Dancing, claiming it made the programme hard to watch by families
Peter joined the well-loved franchise in 2014, replacing Matt Smith as the twelfth Doctor on the show.
But whilst his arrival to the show was hotly-anticipated by the loyal fanbase, ratings have seen a decline, with last year's viewing figures considerably less than those boasted in 2014.
The first episode of the 2015 series, The Magician’s Apprentice, had an overnight audience of 4.6 million viewers, a 22% share of the audience.
The low figures were more than 2 million down on Peter's debut the previous year and understood to be its lowest series opener since the show’s return a decade ago.
![Decreasing: Peter joined the well-loved franchise in 2014, replacing Matt Smith as the twelfth Doctor on the show. But whilst his arrival to the show was hotly-anticipated by the loyal fanbase, ratings have declined](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/03/11/22/2CAEAA1400000578-3488421-image-a-87_1457736482161.jpg)
Decreasing: Peter joined the well-loved franchise in 2014, replacing Matt Smith as the twelfth Doctor on the show. But whilst his arrival to the show was hotly-anticipated by the loyal fanbase, ratings have declined
![Losing viewers: Dr Who's viewing figures in 2015 were significantly lower than the previous year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/03/11/22/207FF82600000578-3488421-image-a-89_1457736552759.jpg)
Losing viewers: Dr Who's viewing figures in 2015 were significantly lower than the previous year
Whilst Peter admitted that he doesn't like reading the ratings, when asked whether the BBC had taken the show 'for granted', he firmly responded: 'Undoubtedly.'
Explaining how he reached that conclusion, the BAFTA-nominated star said: 'The BBC is an incredible organization, but...sometimes people there think, That’s looking after itself. And it’s not being looked after.
'I think maybe their eye was taken off the ball, or the show was seen as a thing they could just push around. It’s not. It’s a special thing.'
![In need of TLC: Peter explained that the show needs constant care to maintain its loyal fan base](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/03/11/22/2EDBA16500000578-3488421-image-a-90_1457736943363.jpg)
In need of TLC: Peter explained that the show needs constant care to maintain its loyal fan base
The star's bold statements come after executive producer Steven Moffat voiced his concerns about the show's post-8pm Saturday night slot, calling the scheduling 'not smart'.
Speaking about the scheduling during last year's run, he explained: 'I don't think 8.25pm is brilliant for Doctor Who. 'I'm not blasting the BBC or getting cross or anything, but that's not smart.
'I don't think anyone thinks that's smart. If there's a slight, and it's only a slight, drop-off, it's I think, that's not where Doctor Who's meant to be.'
![Turn back Time (Lord)! Season 10 of the show will now not be broadcast until 2017 - however, in what will no doubt be a welcome move - the programme is set to return to its Sunday afternoon slot](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/03/11/22/2D7111F300000578-3488421-image-a-91_1457736954185.jpg)
Turn back Time (Lord)! Season 10 of the show will now not be broadcast until 2017 - however, in what will no doubt be a welcome move - the programme is set to return to its Sunday afternoon slot
He added: 'Doctor Who's not designed and built to go out at 8.25pm - that's Sherlock o'clock. It's for earlier in the evening.'
Steven has since announced his plans to leave the show, with the next series of the hit programme confirmed to be his last.
Season 10 of the show will now not be broadcast until 2017 - however, in what will no doubt be a welcome move - the programme is set to return to its Sunday afternoon slot.
![Agreeing: The star's bold statements come after executive producer Steven Moffat voiced his concerns about their post-8pm Saturday night slot. The star has since announced his departure from the show](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/03/11/22/132B7E2B000005DC-3488421-image-a-78_1457735517465.jpg)
Agreeing: The star's bold statements come after executive producer Steven Moffat voiced his concerns about their post-8pm Saturday night slot. The star has since announced his departure from the show
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