The new series of Doctor Who has proved a ratings hit after 8.2 million people tuned in to watch the first episode, according to early BBC figures.
The BBC One show, which stars David Tennant as the Doctor, was also the debut of Freema Agyeman as his new assistant, trainee doctor Martha Jones.
It saw off competition from ITV 1's Harry Potter film, which attracted an average of 4.7 million viewers.
The new series will see the Doctor meeting Shakespeare and the Daleks.
Family viewing
The first episode, called Smith and Jones, saw rhino-like aliens, the Judoon, take over a hospital after it is transported to the moon.
Meanwhile, Any Dream Will Do, the follow up to How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, was watched by an average of 6.7 million viewers. The audience peaked at 7.3 million.
The show is a search for leading cast members in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Joseph And His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Peter Fincham, BBC One Controller, said: "Saturday was a great night for family viewing on BBC One. Doctor Who is back with a vengeance, with a great new companion in Martha Jones.
"And Joseph: Any Dream Will Do reunites Andrew Lloyd Webber and Graham Norton for 12 weeks of top quality entertainment."
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