The Mind Robber starring Patrick Troughton and Horror of Fang Rockstarring Tom Baker are the next two DVD releases to be confirmed for North American release, as first reported on the TV Shows on DVD website. The cover illustrations as displayed on that site are seen below. The two DVDs will likely be released in early September 2005 on the usual three-month release schedule; "The Leisure Hive" and "Ghost Light" are due out in June. Once details are released by Warner Home Video we'll have more details, including confirmed release dates, and high-quality cover scans. (Thanks to David Lambert at TV Shows on DVD and everyone who let us know!)

According to a report today on IGN, "Sources close to the US cable network Sci Fi Channel have told IGNFF's Doctor Who Report that the network is not in negotiations for the new series." The report speculates on other avenues, but suggests that according to their own sources, the channel is not interested in showing the series. There is now no word on a US broadcaster.

Warner Home Video and BBC Video have released the cover illustrations for the North American DVD releases of The Leisure Hive starring Tom Baker (WHV catalog #E2217) and Ghost Light starring Sylvester McCoy (WHV catalog #E2218), both due out on June 7. The extras on each DVD set match the ones on the original UK releases: For "The Leisure Hive," audio commentary by Lalla Ward, director Lovett Bickford and script editor Christopher H. Bidmead, "A New Beginning" featurette on John Nathan-Turner, music only track, interviews with writer David Fisher, script editor Christopher H. Bidmead, graphic designer Sid Sutton, composer Peter Howell and costume designer June Hudson, optional Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix, photo gallery and production notes; and for "Ghost Light," audio commentary by Sophie Aldred, script editor Andrew Cartmel, writer Marc Platt and composer Mark Ayres, deleted scenes, extended takes, "Light in Dark Places" - Making-of featurette, "Shooting Ghosts" - Behind-the-scenes, 1990 convention Q&A with writer Marc Platt, music only track, optional Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix, production notes. The standard North American 'Who's Who" feature is also expected on these discs. Click on each thumbnail below for a larger version.

Rumors have circulated today based on posts on the Restoration Team forum concerning a possible deal with NBC/Universal, who own the Sci-Fi Channel and USA Network, for broadcast of the new series, potentially with the Sci-Fi Channel as first broadcaster and USA as syndicators, which would include the entire back catalog of Doctor Who serials. While there is no official word confirming this, it's the first indication in some time of a possible deal for US broadcast of the new show. Stay tuned!

As expected, the next confirmed releases for North American DVDs -- following the releases of "The Green Death" and "The Visitation" on March 1 -- will be The Leisure Hive starring Tom Baker and Ghost Light starring Sylvester McCoy, likely in early June, according to the BBC America Shop website. We expect to have cover illustrations as soon as they're released by Warner Home Video, the distributor. (Thanks to David Deddo)

We have confirmation that the new series' imminent sale in the US has impacted the 'classic' series being syndicated in the US. In a statement to PBS station WCET Channel 48 in Cincinnati, Ohio, which was released by their promotions department, a BBC report states the following: "Sadly, it is true. This Saturday, January 22nd, is the final broadcast of Doctor Who on our air. ... As for the reason why: the BBC is eager to sell the new series with Christopher Eccleston here in the United States and is not renewing contract with PBS stations at this time. The official word from our contact at the BBC states: 'Unfortunately, we won't be able to proceed with a renewal of Doctor Who at this time. The new series of Doctor Who is currently being shopped around to various commercial broadcasters. For this reason, we have been asked not to make any syndication agreements on this title until further notice. I'm sorry if this has caused you inconvenience. Our sales department has been under strong pressure to get this new, glossy series highly placed. Unfortunately, this was a commercial strategy decision,and we do not have enough of an existing PBS user base to bid against cable or the commercial giants, some of which are taking the new series in consideration. Thank you for understanding.'" So, no deal for US broadcast, but it's expected soon, and meanwhile, the original series is slowly disappearing from all markets. (Thanks to Benjamin Elliott)

As Outpost Gallifrey announced yesterday, we have learned that the first two Doctor Who DVD releases in North America next year will be The Visitation starring Peter Davison (WHV catalog #E2157) and The Green Death starring Jon Pertwee (WHV catalog #E2156). The two DVDs are due out from Warner Home Video/BBC Video on March 1, 2005 (we reported February 1 yesterday, but that's the order date for retailers; March 1 is the "street" date.) Both DVDs have the same extras as the UK version except for the addition of the "Who's Who" standard segment on US/Canada releases. The full cover illustrations are below; click on each for a larger version.

North American fans, take note: Pyramids of Mars and Earthshock are now available on DVD. For UK fans, Ghost Light was delayed and will be out Monday, September 20.

There are several rumors going around that the Sci-Fi Channel has purchased, or will be purchasing, the rights to broadcast the new series in tandem with the rights to rebroadcast the original. According to a letter sent to "This Week in Doctor Who" from Maryland Public Television, this is the case; however, sources at the Sci-Fi Channel (and its parent company, NBC/Universal) have denied that any deal has taken place. In fact, no deal has been signed at this time to broadcast the series in America and is not expected to happen until much later this year or early next year.

As announced at TV Shows on DVD, the forthcoming release of Pyramids of Mars in North America will once again feature the infamous Howard DaSilva 'introductions' as a separate extra. This is the fourth DVD release to contain the extra item, which compiles the introductions and voiceovers provided by actor Howard DaSilva when the series was first syndicated to PBS stations in the late 1970's; they've been cleaned up or, in some cases, entirely reconstructed from Betamax tapes and audio recordings, as the original masters no longer exist. "Pyramids of Mars" is due out on September 7. (Thanks to David Lambert at TV Shows on DVD)