Rosa - Overnight Viewing Figures

Monday, 22 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Rosa: Yaz (Mandip Gill), Ryan (Tosin Cole), The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Ryan (Tosin Cole) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Oppens))
Doctor Who: Rosa was watched by 6.39 million viewers, a share of 29.6% of the total TV audience, according to unofficial overnight figures.

Most programmes during the day scored lower than the previous week. Top for the day was Strictly Come Dancing - The Results with 8.65 million watching. Countryfile had 4.91 million viewers. The BBC drama THe Cry had 5.32 million watching. On ITV the highest rated programme was The X Factor - Results with 4.02 million viewers. Against Doctor Who, The Chase Celebrity Special had 3.27 million watching.

Although the ratings are down on the previous two weeks, they still make Doctor Who the fifth most-watched programme of the week, behind two episodes of Strictly Come Dancing, Monday's episode of Coronation Street and the Channel 4 game show The Great British Bake Off, which had 6.42 million watching. It beat every other edition of Coronation Street and EastEnders.

Official figures, which will be released next Monday, will include those who recorded the episode and watched it later. They are expected to be considerably higher than the initial figures.




FILTER: - Ratings - series 11/37 - UK

NASA Names Constellation TARDIS

Sunday, 21 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Scientists working on NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope have named a Gamma Ray Constellation TARDIS in tribute to The Doctor's Time and Space machine.

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope is dedicated to exploring gamma-ray radiation, the most energetic form of radiation, billions of times more energetic than the type of light visible to our eyes. The team is investigating what is happening to produce this much energy and what happens to the surrounding environment near these phenomena?

To celebrate the mission’s 10th year of operations, a new series of constellations, constructed from sources in the gamma-ray sky, have been created, including ones based on the antimatter-powered U.S.S. Enterprise from Star Trek, the Hulk, the product of a gamma-ray experiment gone awry and the TARDIS, the Doctor's prefered method of transport.

The Femi team is using knowledge gathered from their observations to look for mechanisms that, like the TARDIS, defy the known laws of physics. By searching for cracks in current theories, the scientists hope to expand and improve their understanding of the universe.

Julie McEnery, the Fermi project scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland said
Developing these unofficial constellations was a fun way to highlight a decade of Fermi’s accomplishments. One way or another, all of the gamma-ray constellations have a tie-in to Fermi science.
(with thanks to HorizonChaser)




FILTER: - TARDIS

Rosa - Publicity Pictures

Saturday, 20 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
A number of new publicity images to promote this week's episode of Doctor Who, Rosa
Rosa

Writer: Malorie Blackman
Writer: Chris Chibnall
Director: Mark Tonderai

Montgomery, Alabama. 1955. The Doctor and her friends find themselves in the Deep South of America. As they encounter a seamstress by the name of Rosa Parks, they begin to wonder: is someone attempting to change history?
Rosa: Yaz (Mandip Gill), Ryan (Tosin Cole), The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Ryan (Tosin Cole) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Oppens))Rosa: Yaz (Mandip Gill), Graham (Bradley Walsh), The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Oppens))Rosa: The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Yaz (Mandip Gill), Graham (Bradley Walsh), Ryan (Tosin Cole) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Oppens))Rosa: Rosa Parks (Vinette Robinson), Krasko (Josh Bowman) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Oppens))Rosa: Rosa Parks (Vinette Robinson) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Oppens))Rosa: Yaz (Mandip Gill) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Oppens))Rosa: Krasko (Josh Bowman), The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) (Credit: BBC Studios (Ben Blackall))Rosa: Graham (Bradley Walsh), The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Ryan (Tosin Cole), Yaz (Mandip Gill) (Credit: BBC Studios (Ben Blackall))


Episode Three Trailer | Rosa | Doctor Who: Series 11

This series will debut on BBC One at 6.55pm.

Main Broadcast Details
United KingdomBBC OneSunday 21st October6:45pm BST
United States of AmericaBBC AmericaSunday 21st October8.00pm EDT
CanadaSPACESunday 21st October8.00pm EDT
AustraliaABCMonday 22nd October6.00pm AEST

Full listings here




FILTER: - Publicity - series 11/37

Doctor Who Magazine - 531

Friday, 19 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who Magazine - 531 (Credit: Panini)Doctor Who Magazine Issue 531 talks to new companion of the Doctor, Bradley Walsh.
My early recollections are the black-and-white days of William Hartnell and Pat Troughton… It’s mind-blowing that I’m a part of it all these years later.
Also in this issue...
  • PREVIEWS
  • Exclusive previews of the next four episodes: Rosa, Arachnids in the UK, The Tsuranga Conundrum and Demons of the Punjab.
  • MICHAEL PICKWOAD
  • A tribute to the production designer who worked on Doctor Who from 2010 to 2017.
  • 50 YEARS OF UNIT
  • Exploring the origins of UNIT, which made its debut in Doctor Who 50 years ago.
  • MILITARY MANOEUVRES
  • DWM investigates the role UNIT plays in Doctor Who.
  • JOHN LEVENE
  • Join UNIT’s Sergeant Benton on a very special day out.
  • WHO’S CREW
  • Members of Series 11’s Script and Story Department describe their roles.
  • THE WARMONGER
  • The Thirteenth Doctor makes her DWM comic strip debut.
  • JACQUELINE PEARCE
  • A tribute to the actress who played Chessene in 1985’s The Two Doctors and more recently Cardinal Ollistra in Big Finish’s War Doctor audio adventures.
  • THE TIME TEAM
  • The Team listens to some Who-related chart hits.
  • COSPLAY
  • Tips from Thirteenth Doctor cosplayers.
  • EPISODE REVIEWS
  • Our verdict on the first two episodes of Series 11: The Woman Who Fell to Earth and The Ghost Monument.
PLUS... The Blogs of Doom, reviews, news, prize-winning competitions and much, much more!

Doctor Who Magazine - 531 (Credit: Panini)Doctor Who Magazine - 531 (Credit: Panini)Doctor Who Magazine - 531 (Credit: Panini)Doctor Who Magazine - 531 (Credit: Panini)
Doctor Who Magazine 531 is on sale now, priced £5.99.




FILTER: - DWM - series 11/37

Season 18 Burgundy Scarf

Thursday, 18 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Season 18 Burgundy Scarf  (Credit: Lovarzi)Season 18 Burgundy Scarf  (Credit: Lovarzi)Season 18 Burgundy Scarf  (Credit: Lovarzi)Following the sell-out success of Lovarzi's Fourth Doctor Season 18 Burgundy Scarf, the company has reproduced this iconic look in a shorter, more manageable size.

In 2013, Lovarzi released a 12ft Season 18 Scarf – and it quickly became a fan favourite. But due to popular demand, LOVARZI has made a second version, using the same screen-accurate design, but at a more concise 195 cm. That's around half the length of the previous one, meaning you can wrap up warm without dragging the tassels on the floor/ swamps of Alzarius.

The Fourth Doctor returned to television screens in 1980 with a new look which was fresh and bold, but still paid homage to the past. Designed by June Hudson, this darker outfit was made at the behest of incoming producer, John Nathan-Turner, and debuted in The Leisure Hive.

Baker wore this throughout his swansong season, as the Doctor faced a spiky duplicate in Meglos; explored E-Space in Full Circle, State of Decay, and Warrior's Gate; met The Keeper of Traken; and took a final fall in Logopolis.

The Fourth Doctor Season 18 Burgundy (Shorter) Scarf is made from high-quality lightweight Acrylic Chenille, staying true to the original. It also comes in a specially-designed carry-case, ideal for storage, so it's great for cosplayers and collectors.

Maninder Singh Sahota, Director of Lovarzi, says
When we released a shorter version of our original Tom Baker Scarf, we were overwhelmed by the response, especially at the Doctor Who Festival. Our full-sized scarves are great for conventions, but we know they can be unwieldy in everyday life. That's why we've made this shorter version of the Burgundy Scarf, perfect for fans to show off their credentials wherever they are.
Lovarzi's officially-licensed Doctor Who line launched in 2012 with the best-selling multi-coloured Fourth Doctor Scarf. Since then, the company has catered for fans of all eras with items including the Fourth Doctor Knitted Tie, TARDIS Folding Umbrella, and 18ft Season 16- 17 Scarf. The Fourth Doctor Season 18 Burgundy (Shorter) Scarf will be available to buy from 19th October 2018, priced £24.99, from Lovarzi.co.uk and Amazon.

Members of Lovarzi’s exclusive Doctor Who Fan Club can take advantage of a 15% discount on the Burgundy (Shorter) Scarf - and further discounts whenever new Doctor Who items are added to the range! Become a member by clicking here.




FILTER: - Clothing - Fourth Doctor

Zygon Hunt On Vinyl

Wednesday, 17 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Zygon Hunt (Credit: Big Finish)Following the sell-out success of Big Finish Productions limited edition Doctor Who stories on vinyl earlier this year, the audio company have announced another exclusive release.

Sainsbury's will release Doctor Who: Zygon Hunt starring Tom Baker and Louise Jameson on 19th October 2018.

The Zygons returned to take on Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor in this Doctor Who full-cast audio drama from 2014. The Doctor had previously encountered the Zygons and a Skarasen on Tulloch Moor, Scotland in the 1975 television story, Terror of the Zygons.

Of the Zygon Hunt release, the Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker said
Well! I’m at the disposal of the fans who created me and sustain me. If they want me flat and round and vinyl and spinning too, well, I’m their Who to whit to woo.
Designer Mark Plastow said
Adapting the format for these Big Finish releases has been a joy – I get to indulge in two of my obsessions. I adore Doctor Who and I adore vinyl, and putting the two together makes the world just that little bit better. Art really doesn’t like being squeezed down to a measly 12cm, it wants to be big and bold, it wants to be on your wall!
The release will be a numbered limited edition on coloured vinyl, and only available in the UK.

Zygon Hunt was the eighth and final story in the third series of The Fourth Doctor Adventures, produced by Big Finish Productions.




FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Vinyl

New TARDIS Pictures

Wednesday, 17 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The BBC has released a set of pictures showing the new look TARDIS as revealed in last weeks episode of Doctor Who.

: Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon))




FILTER: - Doctor Who - series 11/37

The Woman Who Fell To Earth Tops Charts

Monday, 15 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The Woman Who Fell to Earth: The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) (Credit: BBC Studios (Ben Blackall))Doctor Who The Woman Who Fell To Earth was the most watched programme of the week on British Television with 10.90 million viewers.

Jodie Whittaker's debut as The Doctor had an audience of 10.5 million watching on a TV set. However official figures from the Broadcasting Research Audience Board show that an additional 234,000 watched on their PC, 110,000 watched on a Tablet device and 22,000 watched on a smartphone. These figures are now included in the official BARB 4-Screen Dashboard and make Doctor Who the most watched programme of the week ending 7th October.

Strictly Come Dancing took the next two places with a total of 10.88 million watching the Saturday edition and 9.90 million watching the Sunday results show. Channel 4 took 4th place with the ex BBC production The Great British Bake Off scoring 8.91 million.

The highest ITV show was Monday's Coronation Street with 7.80 million watching.

In its entire history Doctor Who has only topped the TV Rating chart for the week on four occasions, the last time was in 2013 for the 50th Anniversary special The Day of the Doctor.

Doctor Who's audience was split 49% male/51% Female, the reversal from the 2017 figures which had a small majority male audience. The episode had an Appreciation Index score of 83.The consolidated volume also makes Doctor Who the number one drama launch of the year so far. The series opener has also proved a big hit with 16-34 year olds, with 1.8million watching the first episode.

Chris Chibnall, Showrunner, said
On behalf of the entire Doctor Who team, a huge thank you to viewers for taking Jodie’s Doctor and her new friends into their hearts, in such huge numbers. It’s a thrill being deluged with pictures of families snuggled up together, kids (and adults) hiding behind sofas (they actually do that!), and seeing all the extraordinary creative artwork inspired by the show. The journey of the Thirteenth Doctor is only just beginning. Next stop: Alabama 1955.
Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, said
It's incredibly exciting to see the audience responding to Jodie Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor in such huge numbers. The brilliant Chris Chibnall's new series is an epic adventure on every level, full of so much wit but a scary, edge of your seat adrenaline rush too.
The final consolidated rating is the highest since Matt Smith's final episode as The Doctor, The Time of the Doctor, at Christmas 2013. It is the largest audience for the debut story of a Doctor ever, beating Rose in 2005 which had 10.81m watching and Tom Baker's debut story in 1974, Robot, which had 10.8 million viewers.





FILTER: - Ratings - series 11/37 - UK

Doctor Who - Episodes Five and Six

Monday, 15 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The BBC has released details of Doctor Who Episodes Five and Six

 The Tsuranga Conundrum - Jodie Whittaker / Suzanne Packer (Credit: BBC Studios)Episode Five: The Tsuranga Conundrum

Risk to life: absolute.

Injured and stranded in the wilds of a far-flung galaxy, The Doctor, Yaz, Graham and Ryan must band together with a group of strangers to survive against one of the universe’s most deadly -- and unusual -- creatures.

Guest starring Suzanne Packer, Ben Bailey Smith, Brett Goldstein and Lois Chimimba.

Written by Chris Chibnall.

Directed by Jennifer Perrott.
Demons Of The Punjab  - Bradley Walsh / Mandip GillEpisode Six: Demons Of The Punjab

“What’s the point of having a mate with a time machine, if you can’t nip back and see your gran when she was younger?”

India, 1947. The Doctor and her friends arrive in the Punjab, as the country is being torn apart. While Yaz attempts to discover her grandmother’s hidden history, the Doctor discovers demons haunting the land. Who are they and what do they want?

Guest starring Shane Zaza, Amita Suman and Hamza Jeetooa.

Written by Vinay Patel.

Directed by Jamie Childs.




FILTER: - Broadcasting - series 11/37

The Ghost Monument - Press Reviews

Monday, 15 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
 The Ghost Monument: Yaz (Mandip Gill), Ryan (Tosin Cole), The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Graham (Bradley Walsh) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Opens))Press reaction to Doctor Who;s second episode of 2018, The Ghost Monument, is overwhelmingly positive.

The Independent says that Doctor Who remains a delight. "Whittaker once again demonstrates why she may potentially go down as the defining Doctor Who of her generation. Her patter is wry and knockabout. Yet the larking is interwoven with a refreshing sincerity and a determination to be true to her friends."

The Guardian liked the more familiar tone of the series this week "The Doctor feels like the Doctor again. With her unstable-regeneration routine out of the way, Jodie Whittaker has grown almost completely into the role. She nails most of the character’s defining traits with aplomb: disdain for guns, delight in thinking her way out of a problem, and the ability to quickly become ruthless– her takedown of the boorish Epzo was quite something to behold. She is a delight."

Radio Times praised what they called a clearly told adventure, realised with pace and panache. "The Ghost Monument does look very good indeed. This isn’t just down to the epic scale of the South African locations – the desert, the mountains, the ruined coastal resort – captured in gorgeous sunlight and thoughtful camera angles. It’s well directed by Mark Tonderai in the smaller details too. The opening montage as seen through Ryan’s eyes, reflected in his pupil – stars, spaceship, medical equipment – is strange and disorientating but resolves on a reassuring close-up of Graham"

The Mirror enjoyed the story but felt the monsters were bland. It singled out Bradley Walsh for praise "Bradley Walsh really does excel when it comes to the more serious acting. His scene trying to talk to Ryan about the death of Grace oozes the empathy and love he has for his family."

Digital Spy said the episode was fast, funny and frenetic. "The Ghost Monument is a hugely energetic episode. Even once the hectic action of the first seven minutes subsides, the pace barely lets up – with Chris Chibnall's script bounding breathlessly from one incident to the next, there's never any risk of growing bored."

Den of Geek single out the Doctor's new best friends for praise, "Toisin Cole's Ryan is still the stand-out for me, with the exuberance of a young guy dropped into the adventure of his life mixed with the vulnerability brought on by his dyspraxia and the lack of self-confidence it causes."

Finally, Nerdist said the highlight of the episode was the reunion of The Doctor with her TARDIS. "Hands down the stand-out moment of the show is the return of the TARDIS. The revelation of the ship being the titular monument doesn’t deflate what ends up being a shockingly emotional reunion. If anything, the hesitant moments in between the race plot’s ending and her arrival allows us, like the Doctor, to feel that tiny sliver of doubt. We got here, we did everything right, where is the TARDIS?"

The Doctor Who News review can be found on our reviews site.




FILTER: - Press - series 11/37