Oxygen - Official ratings

Monday, 22 May 2017 - Reported by Marcus

Official figures released by the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board or BARB, give Doctor Who - Oxygen an official rating of 5.27 million viewers.

The rating includes all those who recorded the programme and watched it within 7 days.

Doctor Who is the 26th most watched programme for the week, and 11th most watched on BBC One

The final rating is the lowest the series has achieved since Survival aired in 1989. The chart position though, is higher than that of many episodes in Series Nine.

Top for the week was Britain's Got Talent on ITV with 10.70 million watching. The main soaps again did well, with Coronation Street dominating the top of the chart. Other drama's with high numbers included Little Boy Blue with 7.35 million and Grantchester with 5.93 million.The Eurovision Song Contest averaged 6.89 million viewers.

Full list of Doctor Who Ratings

FILTER: - Ratings - Series 10/36 - UK

Eric Pringle 1935-2017

Monday, 22 May 2017 - Reported by Marcus

The writer Eric Pringle has died at the age of 82.

Eric Pringle wrote one story for Doctor Who, the 1984 Fifth Doctor story The Awakening. The story was the only two parter to feature in Peter Davison's final season. It introduced the character of the Malus.

Eric Pringle was born in Morpeth, Northumberland. He wrote for the 1972 television series Pretenders and for the drama series based on a magazine's agony column writer Kate. In 1974 he wrote an episode of The Carnforth Practice.

In 1975 he was commissioned by then-Doctor Who script editor Robert Holmes to write a story The Angurth, for the programme's thirteenth season. This story was eventually abandoned but did eventually lead to the commissioning of The Awakening in 1981. The story was originally planned as a four-part story called War Game, but was cut down to two episodes when producer John Nathan-Turner decided the plot could not carry four episodes.

Pringle's later work concentrated on Radio with adaptations of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase and J. B. Priestley's The Good Companions. In 2001 his BBC Radio 4 play Hymus Paradisi, about the life of composer Herbert Howells, won a Sony Award.

Pringle wrote the children's novel Big George and its two sequels Big George and the Seventh Knight and Big George and the Winter King.

FILTER: - Classic Series - Obituary

Extremis - AI:82

Monday, 22 May 2017 - Reported by Marcus

Extremis: Monk (Credit: BBC/BBC Worldwide (Simon Ridgway))

Doctor Who - Extremis had an Audience Appreciation or AI figure of 82

The Appreciation Index in an indication of how much viewers enjoyed the episode. It is based to the reactions of a selected panel of viewers, who rate the episode shortly after transmission.

82 is considered a good score, roughly similar to the scores achieved by the last series of the show,

The highest score for the evening on the two main channels was for Casualty, which scored 85.

FILTER: - Ratings - Series 10/36 - UK

Australian overnight ratings for Extremis & final ratings for Knock Knock

Monday, 22 May 2017 - Reported by Adam Kirk

Extremis has debuted in Australia, averaging 422,000 viewers in the five major capital cities. The story was the second highest rating ABC drama of the day and the fourteenth highest rating program of the day overall. These ratings do not include iview, regional or time-shifted viewers.

Meanwhile, including time-shifted viewers, Knock Knock averaged 503,000 consolidated viewers in the five major capital cities. With 86,000 extra viewers it was the third highest time-shifted program of the day (the highest time-shifted program had 128,000 extra viewers) and the eleventh highest rating program of the day overall. These ratings do not include iview or regional viewers.

Media Links: TV Tonight (Extremis ratings); TV Tonight (Knock Knock ratings)

FILTER: - Australia - Broadcasting - Ratings - Series 10/36

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Runaway Bomb

Sunday, 21 May 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Candy Jar Books have announced the second free Lethbridge-Stewart short story of 2017, The Runaway Bomb, which accompanies this month's release of Night of the Intelligence.

Range Editor Andy Frankham-Allen explains the story's origins:

At the end of Mutually Assured Domination, Lethbridge-Stewart considered two soldiers for the Fifth – both helped him fight the Dominators in that book – but we’ve not heard from them since. So, this short story shows us a little of how Lethbridge-Stewart recruits new troops for the Corps. Only one of the two will make the grade, and the winner has a guest spot in Night of the Intelligence, the novel for which this short story is the companion.

Author of both the original inspiration and this followup short story is Nick Walters, who says:

Sergeant Bell and (especially) Corporal Stevens originally had bigger roles in Mutually Assured Domination, so I leapt at the chance of fleshing out the characters a bit more. Stevens is a bit of a loose cannon and quite an intimidating character, whilst Bell is quieter and more reserved, so the two make a good pairing. I wanted to put them in a combat situation to see what happens. Bell, especially, went through the wringer in Mutually Assured Domination, so this story, if you like, is his ‘reward’ for all that he suffered – being tied to that chair for hours on end couldn’t have been nice! As for the titular Bomb of the story, it is based on a fondly-remembered episode of The Six Million Dollar Man entitled Death Probe, which really captured my six-year-old imagination. Older readers(?) may remember this!

The Runaway Bomb will be sent out free to everybody who purchases (includes any bundles or subscription featuring...) this month’s release, Night of the Intelligence by Andy Frankham-Allen.

Night of the Intelligence not only opens series four of the range, but also begins the year-long celebration of the Great Intelligence and Professor Travers, characters who first appeared in Doctor Who on September 30 1967 in The Abominable Snowmen by Mervyn Haisman & Henry Lincoln.

Hannah Haisman, Executor of the Haisman Estate, says:

It’s been wonderful seeing the resurgence of respect for my grandfather’s creations in the last few years, and celebrating two of his greatest characters is a moment of pride for me. Grandad would adore what’s happening now, and especially the way Andy (Frankham-Allen) has tied his characters’ histories together. It’s a wonderful time to be a fan of the Great Intelligence and Professor Travers!

Throughout 2017 a further three non-Lethbridge-Stewart titles featuring the Great Intelligence will be released. Shaun Russell, head of publishing, says:

We’re very proud to work alongside some great people during the celebration year, and look forward to sharing further titles and information with you as the year goes on. Great things are coming!

Night of the Intelligence is available for pre-order now, either individually or as part of a discounted UK bundle.

In addition, as part of the celebration Candy Jar are offering a special anniverary bundle – buy the three Great Intelligence novels The Forgotten Son (Andy Frankham-Allen), Times Squared (Rick Cross), and Night of the Intelligence and get The Schizoid Earth (David A McIntee) for free.

See the Candy Jar website for full details.

FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Lethbridge-Stewart

Extremis - Press Reaction

Sunday, 21 May 2017 - Reported by Marcus

Extremis: Bill (Pearl Mackie), The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) (Credit: BBC/BBC Worldwide (Simon Ridgway))

Ingenious, breath-taking television is how Radio Times described this weeks episode of Doctor Who, Extremis. "Once in a while a Doctor Who story comes along like no other you’ve seen before. One that keeps surprising, and amusing, and tantalising from start to finish. Extremis is one of those stories"

The Telegraph felt this week's monsters were suitably scary "In a classic case of keeping the monster unseen for as long as possible, we didn’t get to meet this story’s antagonists until past the episode’s halfway point. When we eventually did, they were suitably terrifying: clad in blood-red robes, with creepy claw-hands and zombie-esque faces which recalled The Mummy film franchise."

While The Mirror enjoyed the episode, it found the script to complicated. "The problem with Extremis isn’t in the watching of the episode. The problem with Extremis is afterwards, when you stop and think about the episode. Yes, I’ve got a case of Moffatitis"

Digital Spy agreed the plot was to difficult to follow. "This week's outing feels like a step backwards. Starting and ending in two totally different places, and leaving the audience baffled in between, It's anything but straightforward, going against the back-to-basics ethos that previous episodes have adhered to."

The script was not a problem for IGN, which enjoyed the complex nature of the story. "Moffat jumps around quite a bit with “Extremis,” aligning a variety of elements to get this first part of the story off the ground, but of course the return of Michelle Gomez as Missy -- and the revelation that, yes, it’s her in the vault -- is of particular note."

Den of Geek also enjoyed the story as a prelude to a multi-episode tale. "Extremis isn’t action-packed, isn’t jammed with effects, and doesn’t need extensive explanations. Its idea is in fact beautifully simple: it’s a dry run for something very big, and very nasty."

AV Club called the episode a great, experimental Doctor Who and in particular praised the lead actor. "Peter Capaldi is perilously close to becoming my unqualified pick for favorite Doctor, and the overriding reason is on display as he gently breaks it to Bill that neither of them nor anything else in this world is real. He underplays the moment, making small choices to signal both his compassion and his heartbreak."

Screen Rant admired the premise of the story, "The hour has fun with its exploration of the Truth and in slowly pulling the rug out from under both audience and character. The reveal that the Doctor, Bill, and Nardole are in a massive computer simulation meant to test possible outcomes for an imminent alien invasion gives Moffat the chance to deliver a handful of delightfully unnerving scenes, culminating with a mass suicide at CERN"

Finally Games Radar thought the Doctor Who deosn't get much better than this. "When you realise that nothing you’ve seen is ‘real’, you see how fooled you were from the very beginning like the Doctor, Bill, and Nardole. You see that the suicides, initially looking like a bit of cheap intrigue, were a clue all along. The book Veritas isn’t just a plot device used to introduce the monsters, it’s the key to the entire episode."

FILTER: - Press - Series 10/36

Extremis: Overnight Viewing Figures

Sunday, 21 May 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Extremis: The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) (Credit: BBC/BBC Worldwide (Simon Ridgway))

Doctor Who - Extremis achieved an overnight viewing audience of 4.16 million viewers, a share of 22.7% of the total TV audience, according to unofficial figures. This figure is up on last week's, where Oxygen achieved 3.57m (20%).

The episode was third most-watched show of the day, with ITV's Britain's Got Talent as usual taking the top spot with 9.13m viewers and a whopping 44.7% share of the total television audience! Second place went to Pointless Celebrities, which was watched by 4.52m viewers (28.9% share).

Consolidated viewing figures are expected to be released by BARB on 29th May, which should see Doctor Who's figure increase.

FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Lethbridge-Stewart

Now We Are Six Hundred

Thursday, 18 May 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

BBC Books have announced a new hardback book for the summer to tie in with National Poetry Day:

Now We Are Six Hundred (Credit: BBC Books)

BBC Books Publishing Director Albert DePetrillo has acquired Doctor Who: Now We Are Six Hundred, the very first collection of Time Lord verse. BBC Books have world rights, with North American rights sold to HarperCollins.

A gentle and humorous riff on the classic Now We Are Six, this is a collection of charming, funny and whimsical poems that celebrate the joys, sorrows and wonders of Time Lord life. Written by author James Goss, the book features illustrations by former Doctor Who Executive Producer Russell T Davies – his first role as an illustrator, using the comic artist skills he developed in his youth.

Albert DePetrillo says:

This is a book I’ve long wanted to publish, and James and Russell have realised the idea brilliantly, well beyond anything I’d hoped. It’s something very special, a unique gift for every Doctor Who fan. For full effect, please be sure to read these poems aloud to your friends, preferably more than once.

James Goss says:

BBC Books have carefully baited an irresistible trap to lure people into reading poetry. Russell's beautiful illustrations make this the most charming Doctor Who book there's ever been (and I'm including that magical first Doctor Who book you discovered as a child). The poems have been a delight to work on. Who could resist retelling the fiendish Daleks’ Masterplan in verse, or finding bizarre and ludicrous rhymes for monster names?

Russell T Davies says:

I’ve been drawing for Doctor Who long before I was writing it, so it was like time-travel for me, voyaging back to that young scribbler who used to cover his school desk with Daleks!

Doctor Who: Now We Are Six Hundred will be published in hardback on 14th September, two weeks before National Poetry Day on 28th September.

FILTER: - BBC Books - Books - Merchandise - Russell T Davies

Doctor Who: Time Vortex 360

Wednesday, 17 May 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The BBC have announced a new game that can be played on mobile devices:

Doctor Who: Time Vortex 360 (Credit: BBC)

New BBC 360° mobile game lets Doctor Who fans pilot the TARDIS through the vortex

Doctor Who fans can pilot the TARDIS on its most exhilarating journey yet as it careers through the depths of the space time vortex in the BBC’s first ever 360 arcade game, Doctor Who Time Vortex 360.

Fans simply need to visit bbc.in/dw360 using their smartphone or tablet and by physically moving their mobile device through 360 degrees, they will be able to fly the TARDIS within an increasingly turbulent time vortex.

As they speed through time, players will tackle hazards and obstacles emerging from the future ahead of them, but in a unique and literal twist will sometimes need to physically turn themselves to look backwards in time in order to evade threats emerging from the past.

Jo Pearce, creative director, BBC Digital Drama, said:

The beauty of this game is that you can use your mobile phone to fly the TARDIS wherever you are. Digital innovation is at the very heart of Doctor Who – this 360 degree game allows people to navigate the TARDIS through time and space like never before.

We’ve seen a lot of innovation recently in the 360 and virtual reality space, but the majority has focused on ‘experiential’ video-based experiences. This game, however, brings together the worlds of casual, arcade-style gaming and 360/VR to create a fun Doctor Who experience that people can easily pick up and play, wherever they are.

The game is an endless runner, which gets more and more difficult the longer people play, taking them on a visually intense journey through the iconic vortex from the show's opening credits. Using the device's accelerometer, the game is controlled by physically moving around, even giving the player the ability to turn around and travel backwards in time.

Designed as a mobile-first experience for the BBC by Goodboy Digital, the game combines cutting edge HTML5 and WebGL using PixiJS v5.0 to create a breath-taking journey that works on a wide range of hardware.

The game is available to play on BBC Taster, where fans can rate the game and provide feedback.

Watch the Trailer

FILTER: - BBC - Games - Online

New Comics Out This Week

Tuesday, 16 May 2017 - Reported by Marcus

This Wednesday Titan offers the chance to catch up with the latest adventures of both the Tenth and the Twelfth Doctor's, as well as the Torchwood Team.

Tenth Doctor Year Three #5

Writer: James Peaty
Artist: Warren Pleece
Colourist: Hi-FI
Cover A: Simon Myers Cover B: Will Brooks Cover C: Wellington Alves Cover D: Iolanda Zanfardino

The Doctor and Gabby stop off in London’s ‘silicon roundabout’, hotbed of tech development… only to find an interdimensional creature is poking holes in the fabric of reality. In order to close the breaches, the Doctor must face down some surprising echoes from his past!

TENTH_DOCTOR 3.5 Cover A (Credit: Titan / Simon Myers)

TENTH_DOCTOR 3.5 Cover B (Credit: Titan / Will Brooks)

TENTH_DOCTOR 3.5 Cover C (Credit: Titan / Wellington Alves)

TENTH_DOCTOR 3.5 Cover D (Credit: Titan / Iolanda Zanfardino)

TENTH_DOCTOR 3.5 Preview 1 (Credit: Titan)

TENTH_DOCTOR 3.5 Preview 2 (Credit: Titan)

TENTH_DOCTOR 3.5 Preview 3 (Credit: Titan)

TENTH_DOCTOR 3.5 Preview 4 (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth Doctor Year Three #3

Writer: George Mann
Artist: Mariano Laclaustra
Cover A: Wellington Alves Cover B: Photo Cover C: Simon Myers Cover D: Mark Wheatley

Brand-new adventures of the twelfth doctor starring Peter Capaldi The astounding year two team of George Mann, Rachael Stott and Mariano Laclaustra returns!

Twelfth Doctor Year Three #3 _Cover A (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth Doctor Year Three #3 _Cover B (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth Doctor Year Three #3 _Cover C (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth Doctor Year Three #3 _Cover D (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth Doctor Year Three #3 _Preview 1 (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth Doctor Year Three #3 _Preview 2 (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth Doctor Year Three #3 _Preview 3 (Credit: Titan)

Twelfth Doctor Year Three #3 _Preview 4 (Credit: Titan)

Torchwood Station Zero #4

Writer: John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman
Artist: Neil Edwards
Cover A: Claudia Caranfa Cover B: Photo Cover By Will Brooks Cover C: Brian Williamson

Written by Captain Jack himself - John Barrowman - and Carole Barrowman! Illustrated by Neil Edwards (Doctor Who: Four Doctors).