Many articles have run over the past several days regarding the new merchandise licence; among them, on theicWales network (with additional article here), Wales Evening Post, WaveGuide, in the Western Mail, Newsquest Media Group and other places. (Thanks to Chuck Foster, Paul Engelberg)

Further to our story last week that Character Options has become the new Doctor Who series toy licencee, BBC News Online have run a news story today in which they discuss the new products, including a radio-controlled Dalek, an electronic sonic screwdriver as well as vehicles from the new series. The Times Online have also run a similar story. Read the news items for details (though there really aren't any new items of note that weren't in the press release first posted on OG last week!) (Thanks to Steve Tribe, Paul Engelberg)

BBC Worldwide today issued a press release announcing a deal with Character Options to become the master licensee for toy products for the new Doctor Who series. The press release is reprinted below. (Thanks to Steve Tribe)

As we reported on December 19, Project Who is "a two-part BBC Radio 2 program that will air around the time of the new series" and will be released on CD. Originally scheduled for April, the new release date is currently May 2. As noted in our previous report, the contents are as follows: "Tying in with transmission of the new BBC1 Saturday night series of Doctor Who, this two-part BBC Radio 2 programme takes a look at the Doctor Who phenomenon. Why is now the right time for it to return? There will be interviews with the stars and producers of the new series, location and set visits, and interviews with famous people who are fans of Doctor Who. This CD release will feature additional material not included in the Radio 2 broadcast." (Thanks to Steve Tribe)

Galaxy 4 is reporting the release of Doctor Who At the BBC: Volume 3 due on September 5; this would presumably be the third in the series of audio clips from BBC Radio interviews and features, possibly narrated by one of their earlier narrators, Nick Courtney or Elisabeth Sladen.

Newly listed on Amazon is Doctor Who, Novella No. 1 from BBC Audio for release on June 6; there's no information but it seems likely that the Ninth Doctor books will be released as audiobooks (Eccleston/Piper being obvious candidates to read them). Also, as previously corrected on our Releases guide, the Ninth Doctor novel formerly "Death Players" is now called Winner Takes All. It and the other two Ninth Doctor books ("Clockwise Man" and "Monsters Inside") as well as the non-fiction book "Monsters and Villains" are all out on May 19.

Various sources are reporting different additional DVDs for the summer and fall of 2005 in the UK, including possible boxed sets of "Trial of a Time Lord" or "The Beginning" (which includes the first three stories), plus "Attack of the Cybermen," "Mawdryn Undead," "The Web Planet," "Revelation of the Daleks" and "Survival," but nothing has been confirmed as yet by BBC Worldwide.

Finally regarding merchandise, according to the Doctor Who Appreciation Society, the media firm Orange 20 (whose logo appears in the magazine credits of DWM) has "planned a coordinated approach to Doctor Who marketing in the run up to the series launch, tying the new series and 'Classic Who' together in DVD and book schedules, magazine features and media promotion." The same article also talks about the Pertwee/McGann logo being retained for 'Classic Who' and the new logo being exclusively for Ninth Doctor stuff; it's not clear whether this is any more than the speculation that's been doing the rounds for ages.

The DWAS now have Christmas cards packs available to buy online for people in the UK; click here for details. (Thanks to Chuck Foster)

An Australian film newsletter recently reported on a new Doctor Who computer game coming soon. "Film Victoria provides funding for digital media projects" is the headline for the article, which states that "Film Victoria will support the development of six innovative digital media projects through its Digital Media Fund (DMF) program. Game Prototype Development investment funding was provided for two projects. IR Gurus Interactive Australia will develop a game of the worldÆs longest running science fiction television series Dr. Who, and Iron Monkey Studios will develop Darkenlight, a darkly-twisted, humorously spooky game of fighting action and exploration set in an enigmatic world where nothing is quite what it seems." More details as we get them. (Thanks to Paul Denny)

The Express Shopping Channel (Sky and NTL 637) will show Collector's Edition: Doctor Who with televised shopping for Doctor Who items on Tuesday November 23 at 10pm. (Thanks to David Whittam)

Film and TV artist Pete Wallbank has created a limited edition print of Christopher Eccleston as the ninth Doctor, exclusively available through the Galaxy 4 store in the UK and on sale on November 30. "A3 in actual size and printed upon high quality heavy weight german etching paper. Individually signed, numbered and inspected for quality by Pete Wallbank himself. Each print will be accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity and is supplied within a plastic cover for presentation and protection. The run of only 100 copies is printed via the digital giclee method - to maintain the highest of standards with each print being produced as a one off. The finished item is virtually indistinguishable from it's original!" Click on the thumbnail for a larger version of the illustration and visit the Galaxy 4 shop online to buy.

Updated 1 November   Tenth Planet attended the Brand Licensing Event in London. BBC Worldwide were there promoting their different brands and giving away Doctor Who promotional cards, and Tenth Planet posted the card, of which we've now obtained a better version of the graphic. The back of the postcard reads: "The Doctor looks and seems human. He's handsome, sexy and witty, and could be mistaken for just another man in the street. But the Doctor is a Time Lord: a 900 year old alien with 2 hearts, part of a gifted civilisation who mastered time travel. Christopher Eccleston plays the Doctor, and Billie Piper is Rose in the thrilling new series of Doctor Who, on BBC TV in Spring 2005. Brace yourself for some exhilarating experiences and deadly confronations across time and space. The human race will survive - but only with the Doctor's help." BBC contact details follow on the card. Click on the image at right for a larger version. (Thanks to Roger Anderson)