BBC Licensing and New Media

A new press release from BBC Worldwide discusses branding and licensing issues for several of their products in 2004, including Doctor Who. "One of the BBC's best-loved cult sci-fi programs last seen on British TV in 1989," says the release, "Doctor Who celebrates its 40th Anniversary in November 2003. There continues to be a huge market for Doctor Who-related products and merchandise; already during the anniversary year, BBC Video and DVD total sales passed the three million mark. BBC Audio Books has sold more than 250,000 audios across 42 titles and BBC Books will have published over 100 original Doctor Who novels making the series the largest ever book range built around a single principal character. To commemorate Dr Who's 40th anniversary, BBC Worldwide has developed an anniversary logo for use on all related merchandise along with a style guide. BBC Worldwide is looking to work with licensees to develop a range of Doctor Who merchandise to complement the comprehensive range of published products in audio, book, video/DVD, magazine, music and internet form launching throughout 2003 and beyond." Of course, that anniversary logo they mention is the same one you can find on a number of products... and even here at Outpost Gallifrey, on the very top of this page. In a totally different press release, Ashley Highfield, Director of BBC New Media & Technology, gave a speech at Westminster Media Forum on the Department for Culture, Media & Sport review of BBC online services, where the show was mentioned: "Take Dr Who, for example, where we have developed an animated series using never-before-broadcast radio scripts from the likes of the late Douglas Adams. These have kept the Doctor alive for quarter of a million die-hard fans who will finally be rewarded when Dr Who returns to BBC ONE." (Thanks to Steve Tribe)