Refund for those charged for The Last Day

Thursday, 21 November 2013 - Reported by Marcus
The BBC has confirmed those UK viewers who were charged for downloading the minisode The Last Day, on iTunes, will receive a full refund.

The minisode was initially available for free in the US but at a cost of £2.49 in the UK. Yesterday the BBC confirmed this was an error on the part of iTunes in the UK and that the minisode should be free. The BBC told BBC Radio Four's You and Yours that anyone who had been charged would receive a refund.

The Last Day is now available to watch free of charge.




FILTER: -

The Annual Years

Thursday, 21 November 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Obverse Books have announced a new book for 2014 which will explore the alternative worlds of the Doctor as depicted in what would become the staple Christmas present for Doctor Who fans for some two decades - the original Doctor Who Annual, as released by World Distribution between 1965 and 1986.

The Annual Years has been written by Paul Magrs, and features illustrations from Adam Bullock; it is due to be published in 2014.

"These extraordinary books are like weird, grotesque shadow-versions of the Show we recognise. They are mutations haunting the wilderness between the domed, protected cities of Canonicity. The world of the Annuals is odder, darker, madder, more psychedelic and surreal. These are adventures in a wilder, destabilized universe. The cosiness of what we recognise as Doctor Who has gone."
Paul Magrs, from the Introduction


Continuing our recent tradition of doing Doctor Who non-fiction titles, next year will see Obverse Books publish, in hardback, The Annual Years, a serious and detailed look at that most maligned of Doctor Who storytelling, the World Distribution annuals.

From 1965 to 1986, from William Hartnell to Colin Baker, the annuals were weird and witty and wonderful, a big brother to TV Comic and second cousin to Doctor Who Discovers... - and they all the more beloved by us because of that.

With cover art and internal illustrations by Adam Bullock, and commentary on every single story from Paul Magrs, author of Doctor Who fiction for Big Finish, the BBC and AudioGo, this is the celebration that the annuals have long been overdue!
(with thanks to Stuart Douglas)




FILTER: - Books

The Adventures of K9 - audio book

Thursday, 21 November 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The Adventures of K9, read by John Leeson (audiobook) (Credit: Explore Multimedia)Back in 1980, four books were published from K9 co-creator David Martin which continued the adventures of the Doctor's second best-friend, who was now undertaking missions on behalf of the Time Lords. All four books have now been released as an audio recording by Explore Multimedia, read by the original voice of K9 himself, John Leeson.
  1. K9 AND THE MISSING PLANET
    An entire planet vanishes — a planet that was owned by Tellac Inc., a galactic company that turns whole worlds into mines and factories for their own profit. K9 is sent to find the missing planet. He finds instead a new universe and a very strange new breed of men...
  2. K9 AND THE BEASTS OF VEGA
    Outside, the space ship was surrounded by hordes of evil beasts -- a mass of fangs, jaws and lashing tails. The shadowy monsters loom over the ship, attacking from all sides. Sounds of panic and screaming ring out everywhere. Only K9 keeps his usual calm.
  3. K9 AND THE TIME TRAP
    The entire Seventh Fleet has disappeared. The Commander says it is impossible. K-9 says that is only because the human mind cannot understand it. At just under the speed of light, he takes off across the deep starless gulf between the galaxies on another dangerous mission. He uses a battlecruiser as his bait — but first he must find the trap...
  4. K9 AND THE ZETA RESCUE
    There have been great explosions in the galaxy. There is danger that the whole galaxy will be blown apart. The situation is too dangerous for even the Time Lords to handle. And so they call K9 to their aid. It is he who must save their world.
The collection is available to buy both on CD and for download.







FILTER: - Audio - Books

Media Catchup: Wednesday

Wednesday, 20 November 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster
A summary of the media coverage relating to the 50th Anniversary for Wednesday.

(note: the BBC radio broadcasts are available worldwide, but video broadcasts may be unavailable outside the United Kingdom.)

Television

With An Unearthly Child to be broadcast tomorrow evening on BBC4, BBC Breakfast report on a special re-enactment of the first episode at Manchester's Fab Cafe which was attended by the episode's original director Waris Hussein, and the views of a group of schoolchildren invited to a screening of the episode itself.

ITV's magazine programme This Morning examined Doctor Who memorabilia, both from the past and collectibles for the 50th Anniversary, plus a look at items that will feature in the latest Bonhams auction of series props to take place in December. The article is available to watch via the ITV website.

BBC regional news programme Wales Today covered the unveiling of a plaque for Terry Nation at the house in Cardiff where he was born. (BBC iPlayer - from 23:48 available until around 7:00pm tomorrow evening)

Tonight's The One Show on BBC1 was a Doctor Who special with guests Jenna Coleman and John Hurt, plus Steven Moffat from the TARDIS set in Roath Lock. Also, the Radiophonic Workshop play the Doctor Who theme live in studio. (BBC iPlayer)

Radio

BBC Radio Norfolk continues its week-long series of articles on the county's association with the show, this morning talking to Dr Keith Johnston from the UEA in Norwich, who explains how he uses the show in his lectures. (BBC iPlayer)

Today's edition of the Alex Dyke show from BBC Radio Solent continued its Doctor Who exploration, with Richard Latto today talking to John Levene about his memories of being in the show (BBC iPlayer, from 1:35:15, and back to John at 1:45:40). You can also watch a longer interview with John via the BBC Solent website.

Mark Gatiss was a guest on Simon Mayo's Drivetime on BBC Radio 2 in the afternoon to chat about 50 years of Doctor Who and his drama, An Adventure in Space and Time. (BBC iPlayer - from 1:05:10)

BBC Radio 2's Jo Whiley presented a Doctor Who Mixtape during the evening, compiled by suggestions from listeners. (BBC iPlayer)

More on the mini-mini episode from BBC Radio Wiltshire's Graham Seaman, this time on who would be playing the Doctor. (BBC iPlayer - throughout the show, but the "Doctor" was revealed from 49:06, and fan encounters from 1:09:28)

BBC Kent's Pat Marsh spoke to writer Neil Perryman and his wife Sue about their book, Adventures with the Wife in Space, their appearance at the Folkstone Book Festival, and what it is like to be a Doctor Who fan. (BBC iPlayer - from 1:21:10)

BBC Scotland's Get It On With Bryan Burnett continued its Doctor Who theme, this time "with the Tardis taking him to the present day, playing songs such as Right Here Right Now and Talk Talk's Today." (BBC iPlayer)

Misc Media Items

Coming Up

  • Tomorrow evening sees the premiere of the origins drama An Adventure in Space and Time on BBC2, 9:00pm
  • The drama is followed on BBC4 by a broadcast of the very first story, An Unearthly Child from 10:30pm
  • BBC Radio 2 continues the celebration with The Blagger's Guide to Doctor Who and Who is the Doctor? from 10:00pm
  • Jenna Coleman pops in to see Nick Grimshaw on his breakfast show on BBC Radio 1 from 6:30am.
  • BBC Radio Wales visits the Doctor Who Experience for some six hours during the day (from 10:00am).
  • CBBC's Blue Peter celebrate the 50th Anniversary by launching a new competition and chatting to Jenna Coleman
  • Plus more from Radios Norfolk and Solent on Doctor Who in their regions.
For these and other programming during the course of tomorrow and the next few days, visit This Week in Doctor Who.




FILTER: - Online - WHO50

Send your Celebration Pictures to the BBC

Wednesday, 20 November 2013 - Reported by Marcus
BBC Worldwide is collecting images of fans around the world celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who this weekend.

Whether it be a dress up party at your local cinema, enjoying watching the broadcast of The Day of the Doctor at home, or any other Doctor Who events you plan on participating in this weekend, they would love to get a picture of your engagement with the 50th Anniversary.

A special email address has beenset up to which images can be sent doctorwho50@bbc.com

NB: By emailing pictures to this address you are consenting to them being used by the media, the BBC, BBC Worldwide and its partners.




FILTER: - Doctor Who - WHO50 - BBC

Daily Mirror archive photos published

Wednesday, 20 November 2013 - Reported by John Bowman
A special magazine of archive photos from the Daily Mirror has been published to mark Doctor Who's 50th anniversary.

The 84-page glossy magazine, entitled The Doctors - The Archive, features pictures dating back to the show's earliest days. The "unofficial guide to 50 years of time travel", which is part of the Mirror Collection series, also includes archive and new interviews.
From the show's earliest days, The Doctors - The Archive features stunning images from the Mirror's archive. Fans can see the show's original star, William Hartnell, having his wig put in place, and see behind the scenes on many of the show's episodes which have now been lost in time.

The extensive photographic coverage features rare and never-before-seen pictures from not just the show's early years but throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, plus exclusive pictures taken during the recording of the revived television series, which has become a sensation in the 21st century.

Featuring archive and new interviews, this special publication salutes and commemorates 50 years of Doctor Who on the BBC.
The magazine can be bought and delivered worldwide via Amazon or the Mirror. It can also be bought in the UK at selected supermarkets, WH Smith, and independent newsagents.
With thanks to Tony Clark




FILTER: - Merchandise - UK - Magazines - WHO50

The Last Day released on iTunes - Updated

Wednesday, 20 November 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The Last Day (Doctor Who minisode) (Credit: BBC)The BBC have now released The Last Day via iTunes. This is the second minisode to be released in anticipation of this weekend's The Day of the Doctor, and is described thus:
First day on the front line? Time to attach a Headcam for a soldier's point-of-view. What could possibly go wrong?
Unlike The Night of The Doctor, this minisode does not feature any of the characters/situations currently unveiled for The Day of the Doctor, but instead relates to another, related day ...

The clip is currently listed for £2.49 in the United Kingdom store, or for free in the United States.

It will also be available as a special feature on the forthcoming DVD/Blu-Ray release of the Anniversary adventure.

UPDATE

The BBC have now confirmed that the minisode should be free of charge in the UK as well as the rest of the world. A BBC spokesman told RadioTimes.com
This is an error on the part of iTunes. This should have been free. We’re waiting to hear back from them about how this will be rectified.




FILTER: - Online - Day of the Doctor

Terry Nation honoured with blue plaque

Wednesday, 20 November 2013 - Reported by John Bowman
Screenwriter Terry Nation was being honoured today with the unveiling of a blue plaque at the house in Wales where he was born.

The event was due to take place at midday at 113 Fairwater Grove West, Llandaff, Cardiff, just a few miles from where Doctor Who is now made.

Organised by the Llandaff Society, its chairman, Geoffrey Barton-Greenwood, told the BBC that he met the Dalek creator while the latter had been visiting friends in the area after his move to Hollywood.

He said:
I knew immediately who he was. I had been watching the Doctor Who series from the very beginning. I didn't at that stage know that he was a Llandaff boy. He was obviously a very impressive character. He had stature and gravitas.

There are stories of neighbours seeing him, as a boy, sitting on the back step jotting down story ideas in his notebook. He put the success of Doctor Who and the Daleks down to "good old-fashioned stories, lots of danger, with tremendous adversaries. And the Doctor beating big villains".
Nation was born in 1930 near fellow writer Roald Dahl, and Barton-Greenwood suggested that he might have been playing with the name of "Dahl" when he came up with "Dalek".
There is a connection in that they are "Daleks" and Roald "Dahl" was only from around the corner. I think Terry Nation might well have been having a play on words.

It would be an extreme coincidence that these guys came from such a short distance apart and yet came up with this sort of affinity.
Before he wrote for Doctor Who, Nation was a comedy writer and penned material for, among others, Tony Hancock. The comedian's nephew Tim Hancock, who now looks after the Nation estate, was due to unveil the plaque.

In May 2002, blue Heritage Foundation plaques to the memory of William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, and Jon Pertwee were unveiled at BBC TV Centre in London.




FILTER: - People - Special Events - UK - WHO50

BBC America Live Anniversary Pre-Show

Wednesday, 20 November 2013 - Reported by Marcus
BBC America is celebrating Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary with the first ever live simulcast from YouTube Space Los Angeles.

The station has joined with Nerdist Industries to screen a pre Anniversary show on the station and streamed globally on BBC America's YouTube Channel. Hosted by Veronica Belmont, the Doctor Who 50th Live Pre-Show will air November 23, 2:30pm ET (1930 GMT) just prior to the premiere of Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary special The Day of The Doctor.

Doctor Who 50th Live Pre-Show will be an all-out celebration of 50 years of Doctor Who and its passionate fans. As the world awaits the global simulcast of the anniversary special, the pre-show will feature a live curation of fan-created content being shared on social media from celebrations around the globe, plus chats with special guests including YouTube star Phil DeFranco.

Perry Simon, General Manager, BBC America commented:
Doctor Who has an amazing social media following and is enormously popular, with millions of views on YouTube. Partnering with YouTube on an innovative pre-show will enable fans everywhere to join our celebration of this groundbreaking series’ 50th anniversary.
Liam Collins, Head of YouTube Space LA.
We’re very excited to work with BBC AMERICA and Nerdist on this first ever simulcast from YouTube Space LA and are looking forward to welcoming Doctor Who fans and YouTube talents for a truly innovative pre-show experience connecting communities all across the world
Veronica Belmont, co-host of the science fiction and fantasy YouTube video show, audio podcast, and book club The Sword and Laser, added:
I’m happy to report that the live pre-show went off without a hitch, and that fans everywhere thoroughly enjoyed The Day of the Doctor. At least, they did in the time stream I just came from.
Following the anniversary special, BBC America’s YouTube channel will host a YouTube-exclusive post-show at 4:00pm ET. In addition, BBC America and BBC America’s YouTube channel will simulcast a primetime pre-show at 7:00pm ET, which will look at the day’s events ahead of BBC America's primetime broadcast of the anniversary special.

The Doctor Who 50th Live Pre-Show will culminate a week-long Doctor Who week on YouTube, featuring content from popular YouTube channels like Nerdist, EmergencyAwesome, Doctor Puppet, PBSideaChannel, How to Cook That, and Rugburn.




FILTER: - Doctor Who - USA - Documentary - Online

Media Catchup: Tuesday

Wednesday, 20 November 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster
A summary of the media coverage relating to the 50th Anniversary for Tuesday.

(note: the BBC radio broadcasts are available worldwide, but video broadcasts may be unavailable outside the United Kingdom.)

Television

ITV's breakfast show Daybreak featured Jenna Coleman as a guest this morning; the interview is available to watch online via the ITV website.

The Points West BBC regional news programme featured an article on filming Doctor Who in the West Country, including scenes from Planet of the Spiders and Revenge of the Cybermen. The full discussion can be found via the BBC iPlayer (from 21:47 until around 7pm on the 20th), or the locations clip via their Facebook page.

Radio

BBC Radio Norfolk continues its week-long series of articles on the county's association with the show, this morning featuring an interview with Doctor Who Mastermind winner Karen Davies. (BBC iPlayer)

Simeon Courtie on BBC Radio Wiltshire spoke to RadioTimes.com editor Paul Jones about David Tennant and Billie Piper topping their recent polls. (BBC iPlayer - from 1:42:40, or listen to Love Don't Roam from 1:39:06 or The Day of The Doctor radio trailer from 1:21:59).

The lunchtime Graham Seaman show on BBC Radio Wiltshire offered listeners the chance to star in their mini-mini episode of Doctor Who to be broadcast on Friday's programme; today it was the 'casting call' for two assistants to feature in the story. (BBC iPlayer - mentioned throughout the show, with key bits at 00:14:05, 00:41:40, 01:09:18 [Dalek], 01:27:31 [Assistant 1], 01:49:45 [Assistant 2])

Today's edition of the Alex Dyke show from BBC Radio Solent saw Richard Latto continue his look back on Doctor Who, this time discussing missing episodes, including clips with David Stead about discovering The Wheel in Space: 3 in Southampton during the 1980s, and Tony Burnett/Ralph Montagu on Galaxy 4: Airlock and The Underwater Menace: 2. Plus, Paul Vanezis on the world of missing television episodes. (BBC iPlayer, from 1:45:57)

On the Steve Lamacq show, music profiler Robin Ince auditions to be the new Doctor ... (BBC iPlayer)

Night Waves on BBC Radio 3 heard Matthew Sweet discuss the TV series with historian Dominic Sandbrook, philosopher Ray Monk and New Generation Thinker and cultural historian Fern Riddell. (BBC iPlayer)

BBC Scotland's Get It On With Bryan Burnett continued its Doctor Who theme, this time by "entering the Tardis and playing songs which refer to the past, such as Yesterday and Waterloo.". (BBC iPlayer)

The Richard Bacon show on BBC Radio 5 Live included a preview of An Adventure in Space and Time (BBC iPlayer - from 1:47:10)

Misc Media Items

A selection of 50th Anniversary related items in the media.

Coming Up

  • Jenna Coleman and John Hurt are due on BBC1's The One Show tomorrow evening from 7:00pm.
  • Mark Gatiss is due to be a guest on Simon Mayo's Drive Time on BBC Radio 2 after 5pm.
  • There'll be more from Radios Norfolk and Solent on Doctor Who in their regions.




FILTER: - WHO50