Ghost Light soundtrack to be released on Vinyl

Thursday, 18 September 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Ghost Light (vinyl) (Credit: Silva Screen)Silva Screen have announced that a double LP version of the soundtrack from Ghost Light, the final recorded story from the series' original run. (Re)Released on CD last year, the soundtrack is presented more closely to the original broadcast. Composer Mark Ayres says:
This newly-remastered release presents the score in story order and is compiled from new transfers of the original analogue stereo master tapes. Consecutive cues have been combined into longer tracks. It is a particular delight to hear this music on vinyl. It was some of the last work I mixed to analogue 1/4” tape before digital took over, and suits the medium well. It also allows me to dedicate a side to each episode, keeping the cliff-hangers and reprises intact…plus the original demo version of Episode 1 on side 4.
The soundtrack is due out on the 13th October, and can be purchased from Silva Screen's website.





FILTER: - Audio - Classic Series - Merchandise

The Caretaker time confirmed for 8:30pm

Wednesday, 17 September 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Listen (Credit: BBC,  Ray Burmistan)With the return of Strictly Come Dancing to Saturday evenings from the 27th September, the BBC have confirmed that the sixth episode in the current run of Doctor Who, The Caretaker, will air from 8:30pm in the evening. On the other main UK channels the episode is scheduled against ITV's The X Factor (which airs from 8:00pm to 9:20pm), The Ryder Cup on BBC2, Grand Designs on Channel 4, and World War II in Colour on Channel Five.

This is only the second occurrence in the history of the show that a new episode has ever been scheduled so late in the evening, with only the singular outing for Paul McGann in the TV Movie being broadcast at the same time in 1996.

The later time-slot does not impact the North American broadcasts on BBC America and SPACE, and the early morning Australian simulcast on ABC will be adjusted accordingly - however, FOX in Germany currently have the episode scheduled for 9:00pm (8:00pm UK time) - it is expected that this will be revised shortly.

The terrifying Skovox Blitzer is ready to destroy all humanity - but worse, and any second now, Danny Pink and the Doctor are going to meet.

When terrifying events threaten Coal Hill school, the Doctor decides to go undercover.




FILTER: - Broadcasting - Series 8/34

Deep Breath released on DVD/Blu-ray

Wednesday, 17 September 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Peter Capaldi's debut story Deep Breath is now available to buy on Blu-ray and DVD, and the BBC have release a short clip from the story's 'prequel' which was originally shown alongside the episode in cinemas last month.


Deep Breath (Blu-ray) (Credit: BBC)The release also includes behind-the-scenes material and the live programme Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor which introduced the world to Capaldi as the latest incarnation.

The episode is available to buy from our Amazon shop on Blu-ray (UK/US/CA) or DVD (UK/US/CA).

The Complete Series Eight boxed set is also available for pre-order, due out on the 17th November in the UK (BD/DVD) and on the 9th December in the US (BD/DVD) and Canada (BD/DVD).




FILTER: - Blu-ray/DVD - Series 8/34

Doctor Who earns top spot in US Box Office

Tuesday, 16 September 2014 - Reported by Marcus
Figures released show that the US theatrical screening of Doctor Who Deep Breath achieved top spot at the US Box office.

The screening, organised by BBC America and Fantom Events, broke box office records on 25th August. According to Rentrak, the event was screened in more than 650 theatres nationwide where it ranked No. 1 at the box office compared to all other films that Monday night.

In addition, Doctor Who Season Premiere: Deep Breath stands as the No. 1 alternative content event in U.S. theatres this year.

Soumya Sriraman, BBC Worldwide North America’s EVP Home Entertainment and Licensing said
Doctor Who continues to grow in the U.S. and it is thrilling to see the fans come out for the theatrical screening experience as we’ve embarked on new adventures with Peter Capaldi as the Doctor. We’ve enjoyed partnering with Fathom Events and our accomplishment in the box office is a testament to the successful collaboration between our two companies.
Fathom Events CEO John Rubey added
To say we are extremely pleased with the performance of the Doctor Who Season Premiere event in cinemas would be an understatement. The fact that it did so well compared to top summer blockbusters shows that this series continues to inspire a dedicated and passionate fan following. We look forward to partnering with on future events to bring audiences more of the programs they love and want to experience in theaters together.
In addition Doctor Who ranked number One in the Rentrak TV engagement rating, also known as the Stickiness Index, which ranks primetime ad-supported cable and broadcast telecasts by level of viewer engagement. Doctor Who was the programme with the highest viewer engagement on Cable TV for the week ending 24 August.




FILTER: - Ratings - USA

Classic DVD release schedule for Germany announced

Tuesday, 16 September 2014 - Reported by Pascal Salzmann
Siebter Doktor: Volume 1 (Credit: Pandastorm)German DVD distributor Pandastorm Pictures announced today the upcoming plans for DVD releases of the classic series in a newsletter sent out to fans. As previously reported the first volume of seventh Doctor stories includes the complete Season 24 on four discs, all the bonus features of the UK DVD's and will be released on 28th November 2015.

Additionally, Pandastorm Pictures is going to release the following sets:

  • Siebter Doktor Volume 2 (Season 25, 5 discs, release date: 27th February 2015)
  • Siebter Doktor Volume 3 (Season 26, 7 discs, release date: 24th April 2015)
  •  Die Fünf Doktoren (The Five Doctors, 2 discs, release date: tba)
  • Sechster Doktor Volume 1 (The Twin Dilemma & Season 22, 7 discs, release date: tba)
  • Sechster Doktor Volume 2 (Season 23, 4 discs, release date: tba)
  • Doctor Who - The Movie (2 discs, release date: tba)

According to the newsletter there are currently rights issues that need to be resolved before the TV Movie can be released.

There are no German dubs to any other episodes available, so further releases are unlikely. However, the distributor has told fans that it would consider dubbing more classic episodes if the DVD's are going to sell extremely well.

Der Siebte Doktor Volume 1 can be pre-ordered from Amazon Germany.






FILTER: - Blu-ray/DVD - Classic Series - Eighth Doctor - Fifth Doctor - Germany - Seventh Doctor

Australian overnight ratings for Listen

Tuesday, 16 September 2014 - Reported by Adam Kirk
Against stiff competition from the commercial networks, Listen averaged 661,000 in the five major Australian capital cities and was the twelfth highest rating program of the day overall in the big cities (these figures do not include regional and rural viewers or time shifted viewers). It was the second highest rating drama of the day (after ANZAC Girls). For the first time this series, Doctor Who also slipped outside the top ten national programs as well (which includes the five major capitals and regional and rural viewers).




FILTER: - Australia - Broadcasting - Ratings - Series 8/34

Australian overnight ratings for Listen

Tuesday, 16 September 2014 - Reported by Adam Kirk


Against stiff competition from the commercial networks, Listen averaged 661,000 in the five major Australian capital cities and was the twelfth highest rating program of the day overall in the big cities (these figures do not include regional and rural viewers or time shifted viewers). It was the second highest rating drama of the day (after ANZAC Girls). For the first time this series, Doctor Who also slipped outside the top ten national programs as well (which includes the five major capitals and regional and rural viewers).




FILTER: - Australia - Broadcasting - Ratings - Series 8/34

Time Heist - New Pictures

Tuesday, 16 September 2014 - Reported by Marcus
The BBC has released a new set of pictures from the next episode of Doctor Who - Time Heist, which debuts next Saturday.
The Doctor turns bank robber when he is given a task he cannot refuse - to steal from the most dangerous bank in the cosmos.

With the help of a beautiful shape-shifter and cyber-augmented gamer, the Doctor and Clara must fight their way past deadly security and come face to face with the fearsome Teller: a creature of terrifying power that can detect guilt.
Written by Steve Thompson and Steven Moffat, and directed by Douglas Mackinnon.

Doctor Who: Time Heist. Photos: Ray Burmistan, BBC Worldwide 2014 Doctor Who: Time Heist. Photos: Ray Burmistan, BBC Worldwide 2014 Doctor Who: Time Heist. Photos: Ray Burmistan, BBC Worldwide 2014 Doctor Who: Time Heist. Photos: Ray Burmistan, BBC Worldwide 2014 Doctor Who: Time Heist. Photos: Ray Burmistan, BBC Worldwide 2014 Doctor Who: Time Heist. Photos: Adrian Rogers, BBC Worldwide 2014 Doctor Who: Time Heist. Photos: Adrian Rogers, BBC Worldwide 2014 Doctor Who: Time Heist. Photos: Adrian Rogers, BBC Worldwide 2014 Doctor Who: Time Heist. Photos: Adrian Rogers, BBC Worldwide 2014 Doctor Who: Time Heist. Photos: Adrian Rogers, BBC Worldwide 2014 Doctor Who: Time Heist. Photos: Adrian Rogers, BBC Worldwide 2014 Doctor Who: Time Heist. Photos: Adrian Rogers, BBC Worldwide 2014 Doctor Who: Time Heist. Photos: Adrian Rogers, BBC Worldwide 2014





FILTER: - Publicity - Series 8/34

UK DVD: The Complete David Tennant Years

Monday, 15 September 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
BBC Worldwide are to release a DVD boxed set for the United Kingdom featuring all of the (regular) adventures of the tenth Doctor, as played by David Tennant:

The Complete David Tennant Years (Credit: BBC Worldwide)The Complete David Tennant Years

In this massive 26-disc collection, the BBC brings together the complete David Tennant Years! David Tennant made his debut as the Doctor in 2005 in “The Christmas Invasion” and in the four years that followed, Doctor Who grew to new heights of popularity. This collection celebrates Tennant’s tenure by bringing together every David Tennant Doctor Who episode including The Complete Second Series (co-starring Billie Piper as Rose Tyler), The Complete Third Series (co-starring Freema Agyeman as Martha Jones) and The Complete Fourth Series (co-starring Catherine Tate as Donna Noble), all eight specials and two spin-off animated adventures, totalling over 38 hours of Doctor Who plus hours of extras. This is a must-own collection for the legion of devoted Doctor Who fans.

The boxed set was originally released for the North American region (R1) in 2011.




FILTER: - Blu-ray/DVD - David Tennant - Tenth Doctor - UK

Germany: FOX to broadcast German dub of Series 8 in November

Monday, 15 September 2014 - Reported by Pascal Salzmann
FOX Deutschland has announced today on Facebook that they are going to broadcast Series 8 dubbed into German from November 15th. They will show two episodes every Saturday at 7.15 pm.

Here is the full statement by FOX:

Liebe DOCTOR WHO-Fans, es gibt Neuigkeiten! Ab dem 15. November zeigen wir euch die deutsche Fassung der 8. Staffel immer samstags ab 19.15 Uhr in Doppelfolgen!

Alle Sendetermine in der Übersicht:
  • Ab 15. November: TV-Premiere der deutschen Fassung immer samstags in Doppelfolgen ab 19.15 Uhr
  • Zurzeit: Samstags, 21.00 Uhr, englische Fassung parallel zur Weltpremiere
  • Zurzeit: Samstags, 20.10 Uhr, englische Fassung der Vorwoche mit deutschen Untertiteln
Dear DOCTOR WHO-fans, we have news! We will present to you the german version of Series 8 on 15th November, always two episodes Saturdays at 7.15 pm!

All broadcasting dates:
  • 15th November: TV premiere of two episodes of the german version every Saturday at 7.15pm
  • Currently: Sataurdays, 9 pm, english version in simulcast to the world premiere
  • Currently: Saturdays, 8.10 pm, english version with german subtitles of last week's episode

As previously reported FOX was forced to change their plans at the last minute, transmitting Deep Breath and every episode since in english instead of german, after BBC Worldwide failed to deliver the material needed for the dub in time. BBC Worldwide issued an apology but were unable to state when they were willing to deliver the material needed.





FILTER: - BBC Worldwide - Broadcasting - FOX - Germany - International Broadcasting - Series 8/34