BBC Play of the Month Episode Ratings Heatmap
1965 · 16 Seasons · 128 Episodes · Overall Score: 8.8/10 (3 rated)
Season 3 holds the highest collective average score across the series.
Season 3 Details →Complete Episode Rating Matrix
Interactive score chart by season and episode number. Darker green indicates higher ratings; amber and red denote lower reception.
| Episode | Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3 | Season 4 | Season 5 | Season 6 | Season 7 | Season 8 | Season 9 | Season 10 | Season 11 | Season 12 | Season 13 | Season 14 | Season 15 | Season 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ep 1 | – | – | – | – | – | 8.5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ep 2 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ep 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ep 4 | – | – | 10.0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ep 5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ep 6 | 8.0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ep 7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ep 8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ep 9 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ep 10 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ep 11 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Season Avg | 8.0 | – | 10.0 | – | – | 8.5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Ratings Analysis & Trajectory
Across 16 seasons and 128 episodes, BBC Play of the Month has earned an overall series rating of 8.8 out of 10. The series demonstrates an upward quality trajectory, with later seasons sustaining higher viewer acclaim than its debut.
The single highest-rated hour of television in the series is Season 3, Episode 4 ("The Parachute"), rated at an extraordinary 10.0/10 with 1 ratings. Conversely, the lowest-rated installment is Season 1, Episode 6 ("Lee Oswald: Assassin"), landing at 8.0/10.
Top 10 Highest Rated Episodes of BBC Play of the Month
| Rank | Episode | Title | Score | Votes | Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Season 3, Ep 4 | The Parachute | 10.0 | 1 | Jan 21, 1968 |
| #2 | Season 6, Ep 1 | Macbeth | 8.5 | 2 | Sep 20, 1970 |
| #3 | Season 1, Ep 6 | Lee Oswald: Assassin | 8.0 | 1 | Mar 15, 1966 |