Peter Capaldi's anger over BBC putting Doctor Who in post 8pm slot

Peter Capaldi says a later time slot for Doctor Who on BBC is a mistake. Photo / Getty

Peter Capaldi has struck out at the BBC, saying a later time for Doctor Who did not reflect the show's audience.

He told Sunday Express they were treating the beloved sci-fi programme as a "pawn in Saturday night warfare" by moving it to a new post 8pm time slot.

Capaldi felt the BBC's decision made it difficult for younger viewers, who also enjoyed tuning in.

Doctor Who had been shunted later and later since series nine first aired in September, at the accessible time of 7.30pm.

It's understood the shake up was the result of a bid to accommodate Strictly Come Dancing which received fantastic ratings.

"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," the Scottish star, 57, told Sunday Express.

"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."

He added any time after 8pm was moving into "adult territory" when in fact the audience was much broader.

" I think it begins to move into a zone it doesn't quite belong in. I feel it's a shame they're not given that opportunity" he added.

Capaldi was not alone in his angst, Doctor Who executive Producer Steven Moffat said the new time could cause a drop in ratings.

"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," Moffat told Sunday Express.

The show was not designed to go out at 8.25pm, he added: "that's Sherlock o'clock".

- nzherald.co.nz