North American DVD Release

Friday, 24 July 2009 - Reported by Marcus

The website tvshowsondvd.com has revealed that The War Games and The Black Guardian Trilogy will be released in North America on November 3rd.

Thanks to Ryan Franks

FILTER: - Canada - USA - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Torchwood – UK Final Viewing Figures

Wednesday, 22 July 2009 - Reported by Marcus

Final figures released by BARB put all five episodes of Torchwood – Children of Earth in the top twenty programmes of the week.

The figures include those who record the programme and watch it within one week. The highest charting episode was Day Four, which, with 6.76 million watching, was the 11th most watched programme of the week. If figures for the HD showing were included in the BBC1 figures, then Torchwood would have had a top ten place, with episode four beating Emmerdale. All five episodes achieved over 6 million viewers.

The series dominated the chart for the BBC HD channel with the five episodes of Torchwood taking the top eight places. Not only did the original five showings take the top five places, but the midnight repeats took places 6, 7 and 8.

The BBC Three repeats also fared well with all five episodes appearing in the top ten programmes for the week. All episodes had a final rating over double that of the initial overnight figure.

Top Programmes week ending 12 July 2009

1 CORONATION STREET (MON 2028) – 9.52 – ITV1
2 CORONATION STREET (MON 1932) – 9.41 – ITV1
3 CORONATION STREET (WED 1929) – 8.94 – ITV1
4 EASTENDERS (MON 1959) – 8.85 – BBC1
5 CORONATION STREET (FRI 1932) – 8.37 – ITV1
6 CORONATION STREET (FRI 2028) – 8.11 – ITV1
7 EASTENDERS (FRI 2000) – 7.88 – BBC1
8 EASTENDERS (THU 1928) – 7.66 – BBC1
9 TOP GEAR (SUN 2001) – 6.80 – BBC2
10 EMMERDALE (MON 1901) – 6.77 – ITV1
11 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (THU 2059) – 6.76 – BBC1
12 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (FRI 2100) – 6.58 – BBC1
13 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (MON 2100) – 6.47 – BBC1
14 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (WED 2100) – 6.40 – BBC1
15 CASUALTY (SAT 2051) – 6.32 – BBC1
16 EMMERDALE (WED 1859) – 6.17 – ITV1
17 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (TUE 2100) – 6.14 –BBC1
18 EMMERDALE (THU 1902) – 6.05 – ITV1
19 EMMERDALE (FRI 1901) – 5.90 – ITV1
20 CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF (THU 2000) – 5.60 – BBC1

Source BARB

Top BBC HD Programmes week ending 12 July 2009

1 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (Wed 21:00) 160
2 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (Fri 21:01) 151
3 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (Mon 21:01) 129
4 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (Thu 21:00) 127
5 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (Tue 21:02) 112
6 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (Wed 24:04) 78
7 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (Fri 24:08) 63
8 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (Thu 24:01) 61
9 THAT MITCHELL AND WEBB LOOK (Thu 22:33) 52
10 MICHAEL MCINTYRE'S COMEDY ROADSHOW (Sat 21:42) 51

Source BARB

Top BBC Three Programmes week ending 12 July 2009

1 EASTENDERS (Tue 22:01) 1,907
2 EASTENDERS (Thu 22:01) 953
3 EASTENDERS (Mon 22:01) 883
4 FAMILY GUY (Sun 22:00) 878
5 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (Tue 23:48) 852
6 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (Fri 24:17) 756
7 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (Thu 23:47) 738
8 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (Wed 24:18) 734
9 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH (Mon 23:48) 717
10 EASTENDERS (Fri 22:02) 646

Source BARB

Meanwhile, in the United States, Multichannel News reports that the premiere episode of "Children of Earth" was watched by 1.4 million viewers on Monday, the highest ratings of any programme on BBC America.

(Thanks to poster "InigoMontoya" from Gallifrey Base.)

FILTER: - Torchwood - USA - Ratings - UK - Children of Earth (Series 3)

Eleventh Doctor Costume Comments

Wednesday, 22 July 2009 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The chairman of the Harris Tweed Authority has praised the new Doctor for his costume; Domhnall Martainn described the jacket choice as an important and sensible decision, and hoped young people would be inspired to choose clothes made from the traditional cloth:

"We think it'll take the image of Harris Tweed to a new level, when you think that there are millions of people who follow this programme. There's no way the Harris Tweed industry could have bought publicity like this. There's no doubt that young people watch this program. Anything that someone like Doctor Who uses, we hope it will set an example and that young people will go out and buy Harris Tweed clothes."

Esquire Magazine editor Jeremy Langford:

"The cross between rookie geography teacher and Hoxton clubkid works well: a bit of old-school time-traveller meets modern-day adventurer."

GQ Magazine contributor Andy Morris:

So it was with some delight that today I saw the first picture of the eleventh doctor, played by Matt Smith. The early signs are good - while he's not exactly going to keep John Galliano awake at night, he's very well put together. Preppy, with a neat bow tie, skinny jeans, fitted jacket and no-nonsense black boots, he looks like an Acne catalogue model. And that's a good thing. Dressed as such, he could be hanging around backstage at Pitti Uomo, chatting to some elderly Italian gent who is being snapped by Scott Schuman (AKA the Sartorialist). Smith's hair is still a concern but given my own increasingly leonine locks I probably shouldn't start that argument. Filming in Cardiff, he looks relaxed, happy and (kind of) handsome.
(full article)

However, not everyone has been pleased. Guardian columnist Hadley Freeman commented:

I hate this outfit because it commits the ultimate fashion crime: it is trying too hard. It is a patchwork of "Grazia told me this is very fashionable right now" looks, and that is just wrong. A Time Lord should not read Grazia. DM boots and all their lookalike cousins have, incredibly, been having what magazines insist on calling a "comeback" for some time, mainly on the basis that Agyness Deyn likes them. The shortened trousers are the signature style of the perennially trendy menswear designer, Thom Browne. Thanks to the joyless likes of Pharrell Williams, bow ties are very in now but, like, ironically (that sound you hear is the sound of style dying) and, yes, you can buy them at American Apparel. Of course you can.
(full article)

And Sara Nathan of the Sun:

NEW timelord Matt Smith films his first Doctor Who episodes - dressed like a geography teacher. It looked like the latest Doc had travelled back in time to the place fashion forgot.
(full article - warning contains guest star spoilers)

University of Westminster fashion course director Andrew Groves commented:

"Whilst David Tennant's Doctor was undoubtedly influenced by Britpop and Quadrophenia, this Doctor seems to be influenced by Indiana Jones' geekier nephew. It seems a curiously British idea to make the lead character in a prime time TV show look purposely and perversely less attractive than they actually are, I can't think of anyone that would look at this image and then decide they would want to stick it on their bedroom wall."

Additional costume reports and comments by: BBC Magazine, BBC News, The Age, Airlock Alpha, Digitial Spy, TV Squad, Herald

FILTER: - Matt Smith - Press - Series 5/31

First Day's Filming

Monday, 20 July 2009 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The media have been quick to act on the announcement of the first day's filming for the new series of Doctor Who.

The Daily Mail have published a selection of photographs of new Doctor Matt Smith and companion actress Karen Gillan on location, featuring the two leads along with what appears to be a new, slightly tweaked, police box prop for the TARDIS. The Metro has also published a photo of the two with the TARDIS.

Meanwhile, The Sun have also covered the filming, with a photo revealing a well-known guest star also appearing alongside the two time-travellers. Digital Spy reports a BBC spokesperson as confirming the person in question, whilst SFX, the London Paper and Holy Moly published more photos from the proceedings.

The photos from the Sun and SFX show guest star Alex Kingston, previously seen in the Steven Moffatt-penned episodes as River Song in Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead.

Digital Spy reported: A BBC spokesperson confirmed: "Alex Kingston will be returning to Doctor Who in the new series featuring Matt Smith. Viewers will have to wait and see who she plays and how her character fits into the series." Kingston is thought to be returning for a two-episode stint.

Scott Frankton has kindly provided a report on today's filming:

Well, well, well what an eventful morning! I was always dubious about a return to Bad Wolf Bay for the DW team, but lo and behold that is indeed where they were today, not anywhere that was actually used in Doomsday or Journeys End, but nevertheless this beach is turning into the most important location in Nu Who's history! We arrived at the beach and there was the TARDIS, not the TARDIS of recent times, but the Hartnell one. Retro. Back to basics. This is Moffat injecting the classic series right into the new series.

Anyhoodle, the TARDIS seems to have landed next to the crash landing of some sort of alien spaceship. Debris everywhere, all around and smoke is billowing all around. Thick smoke. Then Matt and Karen leave the TARDIS and have a look around. Flames around the TARDIS....River Song in a long black flowing dress seems to already be there. But she isn't unknown to the Doctor. He clearly recognises her as friendly and they have a chat. This scene was filmed over and over again.

On the behind the scenes front, both Karen and Matt were wonderful - polite, friendly, posing for photos, always smilie. I even got my picture with the new companion! Brilliant!

Finally, the BBC itself has acknowledged the interest fans and the audience have in the series, with entertainment correspondant Lizo Mzimba appearing on BBC News's E24 to discuss how popular the series remains, including the press in attendence for filming as shown in this video!

FILTER: - Production - Matt Smith - Filming Reports - Press - Series 5/31

The Eleventh Doctor revealed

Monday, 20 July 2009 - Reported by Josiah Rowe

BBC News has released the first image of Matt Smith and Karen Gillan in costume as the Eleventh Doctor and his companion, whose full name has been revealed as Amy Pond.

The BBC Press Office has also released a press release about the beginning of filming for Doctor Who Series Five. In the press release, Matt Smith is quoted as saying:

I feel very privileged and proud to be part of this iconic show.

The scripts are brilliant and working alongside Karen, Steven and the rest of the crew is an inspiration because their work ethic and passion for the show is so admirable.

I'm excited about the future and all the brilliant adventures I get to go on as the Doctor.

Writer and incoming producer Steven Moffat says:

And here it is, the big moment – the new Doctor, and his new best friend.

And here's me, with the job I wanted since I was seven. 40 years to here! If I could go back in time and tell that little boy that one day all this would happen, he'd scream, call for his mum, and I'd be talking to you now from a prison cell in 1969. So probably best not then.

Matt and Karen are going to be incredible, and Doctor Who is going to come alive on Saturday nights in a whole new way – and best of all, somewhere out there, a seven-year-old is going to see them, fall in love, and start making a 40-year plan...

The press release also has quotes from producer Piers Wenger and Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning.

The BBC's official Doctor Who site has also been updated with details about Smith's costume and a small image gallery.

Update: Media reports in: The Times, Telegraph, Northampton Chronicle and Echo, Pontefract and Castleford Expres s, What's on TV, Capital FM, Now, Empire, Mirror, Broadcast, BBC News, CBBC, The Guardian, South Wales Evening Post, InTheNews, Digital Spy, Den of Geek

FILTER: - Steven Moffat - Production - Series 5/31

Torchwood and Doctor Who come to North America

Sunday, 19 July 2009 - Reported by Marcus

Torchwood: Children of Earth comes to North America this week, with the series being broadcast in Canada and the United States.

BBC America will be screening the series at 9pm Eastern time from Monday to Friday. The series has been given a 75 minute slot, meaning American viewers will see the full version of the episodes. The 10pm showing of BBC World News America has been shortened to accommodate the series. As well as the main episodes, BBC America will be showing a number of documentaries going behind the scenes of Torchwood. Each episode will be repeated several times throughout the day.

In Canada, The Space Channel, will be broadcasting the series at 10pm Eastern time, also in a 75 minute slot. The series is repeated at 2.15am the following day.

In addition Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead comes to Canada on Saturday, with The Space Channel broadcasting the episode at 9pm Eastern, followed by a repeat of The Next Doctor.

Planet of the Dead also comes to BBC America on Sunday, showing at 8pm ET.

FILTER: - Canada - Torchwood - Specials - USA - Children of Earth (Series 3) - Broadcasting

Torchwood Ratings – Day Five

Saturday, 11 July 2009 - Reported by Marcus

Torchwood: Children of Earth finished its impressive run on BBC One with an audience of 5.8 million viewers according to unofficial overnight figures. Torchwood was the fourth most watched programme of the day with a share of 26.7%. It rated higher than Emmerdale and was beaten by EastEnders and Coronation Street.

With just sunday's figures to come, all five episodes of Torchwood are in the top twenty for the week.

Another 95,000 watched the episode in HD on BBC HD and 333,000 watched the late night repeat on BBC Three, the highest rating for the repeat all week. During the BBC Three showing, the channel had over twice as many viewers as its nearest rival.
The Appreciation Index for day four on BBC One was an amazing 91 and day five received an AI figure of 90.

TORCHWOOD UK OVERNIGHT RATINGS
Children of Earth	BBC One	BBC HD	BBC Three	iPlayer	AI
Day One	5.9 million - 25.8% share	97,000	214,000	tbc	88
Day Two	5.6 million - 24.0% share	82,000	282,000	tbc	90
Day Three	5.9 million - 27.1% share	105,000	225,000	tbc	90
Day Four	6.2 million - 27.0% share	82,000	232,000	tbc	91
Day Five	5.8 million -26.7% share	95,000	333,000	tbc	90
Overnight figures do not include those who record the programme and watch it on a subsequent day. Final figures, including those who timeshift the programme will be released by BARB in 10 days time.

FILTER: - Torchwood - Ratings - UK - Children of Earth (Series 3)

Torchwood Ratings – Day Four

Friday, 10 July 2009 - Reported by Marcus

Torchwood: Children of Earth slipped ahead of Emmerdale on Thursday night with unofficial overnight figures showing part Four was watched by 6.2 million viewers, the highest rating of the week so far. Torchwood was the second most watched programme of the day with the share remaining steady at 27.0%. It gave BBC One more than double the audience of ITV for the duration of the programme.

A further 82,000 watched in HD on the BBC HD channel, and 232,000 watched the repeat on BBC Three.

The Appreciation Index for Part Three was 90, by far the highest score for the day.

The South Wales Echo, The Stage and Broadcast have all published articles reflecting the success of Torchwood.

FILTER: - Torchwood - Ratings - UK - Children of Earth (Series 3)

Waters of Mars Preview

Thursday, 9 July 2009 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The BBC's offical Doctor Who site has now been updated with more information on the forthcoming Autumn special, The Waters of Mars, with a preview gallery, wallpapers, and a video clip of a scene from the episode - with a note to say that some people might find the scene upsetting!

FILTER: - Specials - UK - Online - Series 4/30 Specials

Torchwood Ratings – Day Three

Thursday, 9 July 2009 - Reported by Marcus

Torchwood: Children of Earth continued its strong run on BBC One, with part three watched by 5.9 million viewers, making it the the third most watched programme of the day. The share was 27.1%.

An average of 105,000 also watched the programme on BBC HD, with and additional 225,000 watching the late night repeat on BBC Three. If these figures are added to the BBC One showing, then the programme overtakes Emmerdale to become the second most watched of the day.

The Appreciation Index for Episode Two was an amazing 90. The Appreciation Index, or AI, is a measure of how much the audience liked the programme. It is a score out of 100, based on responses from a carefully selected panel. The average score for drama on BBC1 and ITV1 is 77. A score in excess of 80 is regarded as good, in excess of 85 is excellent and anything above 90 is outstanding. A score below 60 is poor.

Final figures will be available in two weeks time.

FILTER: - Torchwood - Ratings - UK - Children of Earth (Series 3)

Previous 10 Stories

North American DVD Release

Torchwood – UK Final Viewing Figures

Eleventh Doctor Costume Comments

First Day's Filming

The Eleventh Doctor revealed

Torchwood and Doctor Who come to North America

Torchwood Ratings – Day Five

Torchwood Ratings – Day Four

Waters of Mars Preview

Torchwood Ratings – Day Three

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