MORE people downloaded the first episode of Doctor Who legally in 24 hours than the most popular illegally downloaded show over a whole month.

The ABC received the highest amount of daily plays on iView ever after airing the premiere episode of Doctor Who on Sunday - just hours after it aired in the UK.



In comparison, the most heavily downloaded television show in Australia - How I Met Your Mother - was pirated 37 458 over the month of February last year, according to marketing and metrics company, Jumpwire Media.



Asylum of the Daleks received 75,900 plays in less than 24 hours after it aired on Sunday at 5.10am, in Aunty’s novel attempt to stop users from pirating the episode illegally.

That number only makes up about 10 per cent of the show's potential TV audience, in its current Saturday 7.30pm timeslot, however the number is significant as it means that the ABC's bid appears to have been successful.



The episode aired online almost a week before it hits TV screens on ABC1.



News Ltd asked Channels 7, 9, and 10, along with Foxtel, whether the encouraging figures would prompt the content providers to prevent piracy by adopting a digital route, airing the latest TV shows online before broadcasting them on TV.



Foxtel told News Ltd it would continue to innovate, including providing content online.



"Foxtel, of course, supports lawful consumer access to content," the spokesperson said.

"It's important to make content available to our subscribers across multiple platforms.



"We already provide internet-based services including Foxtel on Xbox 360, Foxtel on Internet TV, Foxtel on T-Box, and Apps for mobiles and tablets.



The spokesperson said Foxtel was pleased with the response to its London2012 tablet app for the Olympics and that it would be launching a new app later this year on which it would deliver some of its "most popular channels and programs".



Channel Ten told News Ltd it had previously offered viewers the chance to watch full episodes of programs ahead of broadcast.



Users who "liked" the Puberty Blues Facebook page were offered the ability to watch the first episode in full online before it aired on TV.



"A similar offering was made to Offspring fans ahead of the beginning of series three (April this year)," the spokesperson said. "The full episode catch-up service on our website is very successful."



Offspring received a weekly viewing average of 400,000 views online, and Puberty Blues racked up 520,000 online views over week one, two and three, the spokesperson told News Ltd.



Channel 10 did not say whether it would be following the ABC's lead by offering complete series in full online before they air on TV.



Channel Seven and Nine both declined to comment.



ABC1 controller Brendan Dahill told News Ltd that airing Doctor Who online had been a "stunning success" and suggested that audiences would watch content legally if they were offered options that were convenient and simple to use.



The ABC is still trying to find out how many people illegally downloaded the episode last night so they can properly measure the success of its online venture.



Commercial TV's current business models still rely on television to sell advertising, but Mr Dahill said it shouldn't be important what platform viewers watch their favourite programs on.



"It's about great content, delivered in ways that are convenient and accessible to our viewers," he said.



However, the ABC1 controller acknowledged that it was precisely because the ABC did not have to rely on ratings and advertising that it was able to experiment with new transmission options.



As for whether other broadcasters will take up the challenge, Mr Dahill said that was for each and every broadcaster to judge for themselves "alongside their business model".



"However, we are seeing tightening of release windows around the world, not just for TV but also for movies," he said.



"The rise of social media has meant an increased risk of spoilers if shows are delayed."



