Australia, Canada Broadcasting - Updated

Wednesday, 4 January 2006 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Australia is about to lose the classic series. As Outpost Gallifrey has learned, the show will complete its run on Australia's ABC TV in a few weeks. The broadcasts on ABC started with "An Unearthly Child" (September 2003) and conclude with "Survival" (February 2006). We should have more about this story in the next few days.

Meanwhile, Canada has a second Doctor Who outlet: the first season of the new series (or at least, "Rose") has appeared on Quebec's Z-Tele network, according to their website. It's unclear if it's been dubbed or is merely subtitled.

Update: According to Ztele's website, the episodes are dubbed and they're showing at least the first three, "Rose," "The End of the World (La Fin Du Monde)" and "The Unquiet Dead (Des Morts Inassouvis)" during several airings each in January. The French language trailer is located here.

(Thanks to Craig Wellington, Sean McGuire, Benjamin Elliott, Doug A Scott)

FILTER: - Classic Series - Broadcasting - Australia

Previews, Commentary Track, and More - Updated!

Sunday, 25 December 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Just in: previews of the forthcoming second series were shown at the tail end of "The Christmas Invasion" this evening on BBC1, including quick views of Sarah Jane Smith, the Cybermen, the cat people, Queen Victoria and other early season episodes. UPDATE: The official Doctor Who website has now posted the trailer shown at the end of the story!

The official site has also now posted a commentary track to go along with "The Christmas Invasion", an audio track featuring executive producers Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner and producer Phil Collinson, along with new pictures and video clips. You can check them out now at the official site.

We're also told that many users are currently having problems accessingAttack of the Graske, possibly due to an overwhelming amount of interest in the 'interactive' episode. Those of you with red buttons, keep trying!

FILTER: - Specials - Russell T Davies - Broadcasting

Television Updates

Tuesday, 20 December 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

A new trailer for The Christmas Invasion had a surprise airing on BBC One shortly before the 10 O'Clock News last night (Monday 19) and again at lunchtime today (Tuesday 20). Again lasting thirty seconds, it features a number of previously unseen clips, including Harriet Jones appealing on television for the Doctor's help, scenes of people in the streets apparently under the mental control of the invading force, a defiant Rose telling the Sycorax to "leave this planet in peace", and the pyjama-clad Doctor emerging from the TARDIS ("Did you miss me?") to confront the aliens. The trailer has yet to appear on the official website.

Monday night's Wales Today at 6.30pm on BBC One Wales carried a brief interview with Russell T Davies, looking back enthusiastically on a successful year and happily predicting that the children watching on Christmas Day "will remember it when they're seventy!"

Finally, David Tennant's interview on this week's Friday Night with Jonathan Ross is previewed today in a press releasefrom the BBC Press Office. The press release concentrates on Tennant's future plans, and he apparently tells Ross that he's here to stay: "As long as I don't get the sack, I'll do another series," which is the line he's taken when asked this question ever since his casting was announced. Tennant notes that "It's almost too exciting, all a bit daunting. It was the most successful TV show of the year; if it all goes wrong it's my fault ... I loved it when I was a kid. Tom Baker was the one I grew up with. ... It's a bit of a gamble. The danger is that you get stuck with it, but the only other option is you don't do it. I didn't want to be that guy. As long as I don't get the sack, I'll do another series."

(Thanks to Steve Tribe)

FILTER: - Specials - Russell T Davies - Broadcasting

New Series In Arabia

Monday, 19 December 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Showtime Arabia has apparently become the latest broadcaster to acquire the new Doctor Who series. The satellite service, which is owned by Viacom, will begin airing the first series on its StyleUK channel starting this Friday, 23 December, showing two episodes per weekend, one on Friday and one on Saturday. Showtime Arabia is broadcast throughout the Middle East. (Thanks to Phil Lentz)

FILTER: - Series 1/27 - Broadcasting

Holiday Broadcast Schedule Alerts and Guide

Monday, 19 December 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

For the convenience of our readers, Outpost Gallifrey has compiled the following guide to important Doctor Who broadcasts over the next two weeks. You can also always refer to our Broadcast Calendar located down the left side of the News Page for the latest information about current Doctor Who broadcasts (or to This Week in Doctor Who for details about worldwide transmissions of repeats and other items).

Tuesday 20 December: "Doctor Who: Regeneration," a brand-new radio documentary, airs on BBC Radio 2 starting at 8.30pm.

Wednesday 21 December: "BBC Breakfast" (6-9am, BBC1) interviews David Tennant and Russell T Davies.

Thursday 22 December: The three-part miniseries "Casanova" starring David Tennant repeats on BBC3; part one airs tonight, parts two and three air on Friday.

Friday 23 December: "Doctor Who Back In Time: New Doctor, New Danger," a new installment of the BBC Radio Wales documentary, airs on that channel (link) at 6.30pm. "Front Row" on BBC Radio 4 has an interview with David Tennant at 7.15pm. The "Dead Ringers Christmas Special," featuring a Doctor Who (tenth Doctor) sketch, airs on BBC2 at 10.00pm. "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross" on BBC1 has David Tennant as a guest, 10.25pm.

Saturday 24 December: Episode 2 of "The Chimes of Midnight" starring Paul McGann airs at 6.30pm on BBC Radio 7; episode 3 will likely be on December 31. The new "Back In Time" repeats at 1.00pm.

Sunday 25 December: "The Christmas Invasion" debuts at 7.00pm on BBC1. "Attack of the Graske," the interactive Doctor Who 'episode,' will be live on BBC red button access after the conclusion of the special, likely until midnight. Also, the "Dead Ringers" special repeats at 11.35pm on BBC2.

Monday 26 December: For Canadian viewers, "The Christmas Invasion" debuts at 8.00pm on CBC Television. Also, a week-long series of repeats of Series One begin with "Rose" and "The End of the World" from 7.00pm to 8.30pm on BBC3; two episodes will air each night starting at 7pm until Friday, the concluding three episodes on Saturday.

Tuesday 27 December: "Front Row" on BBC Radio 4 has Russell T Davies as a guest, 7.15pm.

Sunday 1 January: "The Christmas Invasion" repeats on BBC3 at 7pm, and "Attack of the Graske" will be available again for the evening.

(Thanks to Steve Tribe for help in compiling this list)

FILTER: - Specials - Russell T Davies - Radio - Broadcasting

Second Airings Scheduled

Tuesday, 13 December 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

As suggested in some online television listings, The Christmas Invasionwill have its first UK repeat on New Year's Day, Sunday 1 January, at 7.00pm on BBC Three. The official site has confirmed that this broadcast will again be followed by Attack of the Graske, available via the 'red button', which will be on BBCi between 8pm and midnight. (This suggests, although the BBC site does not clearly confirm it, that the interactive episode will be on for four hours on Christmas Day as well.)

FILTER: - Specials - Broadcasting

Attack of the Graske Press Release

Monday, 12 December 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

The BBC Press Office has issued a press release with further information on the 'red-button episode' available to UK digital viewers after the broadcast of 'The Christmas Invasion' on Christmas Day. Attack of the Graske will be 'a pioneering mix of live action, state-of-the-art special effects (from multi-award-winning The Mill) and individual tasks' and will feature 'a series of challenges [in which] the viewer will be tested on all the skills necessary to keep the Universe safe – you'll even have a chance to fly the TARDIS!' There will be 'a series of tests using the arrow keys on their digital remote control, [and] viewers will be tested on observation, dexterity, memory and bravery', while 'the Doctor will be on hand to give advice, encouragement, and even step in when things go wrong'. The adventure will be on BBCi 'after the credits roll' on 'The Christmas Invasion'. There is no indication of how long 'Attack of the Graske' will remain available. The full text of the press release is below.

Doctor Who - Attack of the Graske - press the red button for the chance to take part in a special interactive adventure

After the credits roll on Doctor Who's first Christmas special, The Christmas Invasion, viewers will be given an opportunity for a further adventure with the Doctor.

By pressing the red button they have the chance to become the Doctor's companion in a truly interactive mission of their own.

Attack of the Graske is a pioneering mix of live action, state-of-the-art special effects (from multi-award-winning The Mill) and individual tasks.

Starring David Tennant as the tenth Time Lord, with Jimmy Vee as The Graske, Attack of the Graske features an entirely new threat – an alien species intent on taking over the Earth.

In a series of challenges the viewer will be tested on all the skills necessary to keep the Universe safe – you'll even have a chance to fly the TARDIS!

One of the producers, Sophie Fante, says: "Attack of the Graske gives the viewer the unique opportunity to immerse themselves fully in the world of Doctor Who.

"We aimed to make the challenge with the same scope and feel of the main series and, in Attack of The Graske, the viewer finds themselves not only flying the TARDIS with the Doctor but fighting the Graske on the planet Griffoth and hunting him out in Victorian London.

"Filming was great fun because of the variety of locations within a relatively short shoot.

"The high point was creating an authentic Dickensian Christmas scene, complete with snow, in a small corner of Cardiff."

Through a series of tests using the arrow keys on their digital remote control, viewers will be tested on observation, dexterity, memory and bravery as the epic story unfolds across time and space.

Participants will travel into the past and to a strange new world, battling a determined and evil foe.

Throughout the adventure, the Doctor will be on hand to give advice, encouragement, and even step in when things go wrong.

But don't expect any favours – he only takes the best.

Written by Gareth Roberts and directed by Ashley Way. Executive Producers are Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner (Head of Drama, BBC Wales). Produced by Sophie Fante and interactive producers Jo Pearce and Andrew Whitehouse.

Made in Cardiff, by New Media and BBC Wales, Attack of the Graske is in the vanguard of BBC's TV Plus initiative and is part of its commitment to quality, creativity and innovation.

And remember, Doctor Who - The Christmas Invasion is on Christmas Day at 7.00pm on BBC ONE.

FILTER: - Specials - Russell T Davies - Broadcasting

Radio Times Xmas Listing

Monday, 5 December 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

The official Radio Times listing for the Doctor Who Christmas special, The Christmas Invasion, airing at 7.00pm on Sunday 25 December, shows additional cast members and other details, as well as noting that series one will repeat on BBC starting the day after. The listing is as follows:

DOCTOR WHO
David Tennant makes his debut as the Time Lord.
The Christmas Invasion. The Earth is at the mercy of the Sycorax. A second series starts in the spring.
Doctor Who: David Tennant. Rose Tyler: Billie Piper. Jackie Tyler: Camille Coduri. Mickey Smith: Noel Clarke. Harriet Jones: Penelope Wilton. Danny Llewellyn: Daniel Evans. Alex: Adam Garcia. Sycorax leader: Sean Gilder. Major Blake: Chu Ornambala. Sally: Anita Briem. Sandra: Sian McDowall. Jason: Paul Anderson.
Writer: Russell T Davies; Producer: Phil Collinson; Director: James Hawes. Christopher Eccleston's Doctor Whostarts tomorrow, 7pm BBC3.
Be the Doctor's companion in "Attack of the Graske," an adventure available via the red button after the end of tonight's episode.

FILTER: - Specials - Russell T Davies - Radio Times - Broadcasting

Sci-Fi: Who Is Coming

Thursday, 1 December 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

According to a report today on the Sci-Fi Channel website Sci-Fi Wire, "the BBC made the unusual decision to release the DVD in the United States before the show had found a broadcast outlet there. But he added that the show will find its way onto American TV, one way or another. 'It will be going on television,' Cromer said in an interview. 'There're lots of discussions going on, and I can't really talk about that. This is a unique situation, really, because there are so many fans of Doctor Who ... already out there, and we were just finding [that] people were getting ... second-hand copies or copies from the U.K. ... We really wanted fans to get the best, most complete version in the United States as [soon as] we possibly could. So we made the decision, and it is unique, to go ahead of the TV broadcast with the DVD and to release the gift set of the DVD basically within two and a half to three months [after] the U.K. [version].'"

The article goes on to note that "U.S. fans have been clamoring for a way to see the series legally stateside. There's no downside to a U.S. DVD release, even if the show has yet to be seen on American TV, Cromer added. 'The good news for us is that we already have that loyal fan base, but then when the show does broadcast in the U.S., we'll have a whole new fan base, because it's just a new Doctor Who: very exciting, but still the great stories and as great as the old Doctor Who,' he said."

It is important to note, however, that the article does not state that there has been any progress recently about getting the series on television in America, simply that the BBC still wishes to find a broadcaster here and that they have concluded that a DVD sale would not impact this. We'll keep you posted on further developments soon.

FILTER: - USA - Blu-ray/DVD - Broadcasting

Christmas Invasion: UK, Canada Broadcasts

Tuesday, 29 November 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

The official Doctor Who website has confirmed that The Christmas Invasion will be broadcast in the UK on BBC1 at 7pm on Sunday, December 25, as Outpost Gallifrey previously noted was the likely timeslot. (Other websites have suggested an earlier timeslot, which is incorrect.)

Additionally, the CBC network in Canada has confirmed they will air "The Christmas Invasion" on Monday, December 26 at 8pm, according to the network's program guide.

FILTER: - Specials - Broadcasting

Previous 10 Stories

Australia, Canada Broadcasting - Updated

Previews, Commentary Track, and More - Updated!

Television Updates

New Series In Arabia

Holiday Broadcast Schedule Alerts and Guide

Second Airings Scheduled

Attack of the Graske Press Release

Radio Times Xmas Listing

Sci-Fi: Who Is Coming

Christmas Invasion: UK, Canada Broadcasts

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