The DVD release of The Leisure Hive has been confirmed by the Doctor Who Restoration Team for release in the UK on July 5. The single disc release will consist of all four episodes remastered with their original mono audio as well as an optional Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix and an isolated music track (in mono) as well as several extras, including commentary by Lalla Ward, director Lovett Bickford and script editor Christopher H. Bidmead; A New Beginning(30'18") where production staff recall radical changes made by producer John Nathan-Turner, with particular emphasis on 'The Leisure Hive'; From Avalon to Argolis (14'19"), an interview with writer David Fisher and script editor Christopher H. Bidmead, examining the making of the story from the screenwriter's POV; Leisure Wear (6'49"), an interview with costume designer June Hudson; Synthesizing Starfields (9'14"), interviews with graphic designer Sid Sutton and composer Peter Howell about the new title sequence; Blue Peter (3'57"), a look around the Longleat Doctor Who exhibition as well as John Nathan-Turner's first-ever on screen appearance as the show's producer; plus a photo gallery, easter egg, program subtitles, commentary subtitles and production notes. (Thanks to the Restoration Team)

The online retailer Play.com is reporting that a Cyberman Tin collection of audio CD's will be released on November 1, 2004. This would tie in with previously published reports that the Patrick Troughton story "The Invasion" will be released on audio at that time by the BBC Radio Collection. Last year's "Dalek Tin" release featured the stories "The Evil of the Daleks" and "The Power of the Daleks" as well as the one-off CD "My Life as a Dalek," and was a successful item. Meanwhile, Outpost Gallifrey previously reported that a boxed DVD set entitled The Beginning was to be released this fall; however, we have learned that the plans for that have changed. (We actually altered the forthcoming release list on the news page some time ago but didn't note in the news column itself.) We'll keep you posted. (Thanks to Tim Parker, Gary Reed)

According to Blackstar, the Tom Baker serial The Leisure Hive is the next UK DVD release and is due out on July 5. No confirmation has been received at this time from BBC Worldwide, but this has been listed as "tentative" on our release list for some time. (Thanks to Richard Mawson)

Update: A British DVD store called DVD Concept has posted a list of reported extras for this disc, which include the following: commentary with Lalla Ward and director Lovett Bickford; a separate commentary with script editor Christopher H Bidmead; "A New Beginning"; "From Avalon to Argolis"; "Leisure Weir"; "Synthesizing Starfields"; "Blue Peter"; plus photo gallery, easter eggs and production notes. (Thanks to Aidan Brack)

Below are the covers for both the DVD release of Daemos Rising, the direct to video spinoff sequel to the Doctor Who serial "The Daemons," as well as the cover of the CD release that features the musical score by Alistair Lock. The DVD release is UK only as there are currently no plans to release it in North America. Click on each thumbnail for a larger version. (Thanks to Tenth Planet)

There have been a few reports of faults and problems with playing the March North America DVD releases, The Seeds of Death and The Three Doctors. If you have trouble with your DVDs, send email tocustomerservice@bbc.co.uk and let them know, whether you bought the discs from BBC America Shop or not. Let them know where you bought the DVD from, in what way it's faulty, and what make and brand of DVD player you use; any information given them to help narrow down this problem will help avoid problems in future and they may be able to tell you how to get a replacement disc. (Thanks to Steve Manfred)

Below are both the final version of the cover illustration for the forthcoming BBC Radio Collection CD release of The Wheel in Space -- which for the first time will be narrated by Wendy Padbury -- and the provisional (and possibly final) cover for the UK DVD release of The Green Death, both due in May. Click on each for a larger version. Update: we now have the final version of the "Green Death" cover, which artist Clayton Hickman sent us to update the provisional one; click on it below! (Thanks to Tenth Planet, Clayton Hickman)