Classic Episodes Online

Friday, 9 October 2009 - Reported by Chuck Foster
As previously reported, Blinkbox, a free-to-use movie-on-demand service on the Internet, has struck a deal with BBC Worldwide to make a number of classic Doctor Who stories available to watch. The deal currently enables viewers to watch the William Hartnell stories The Sensorites and The Web Planet, and Patrick Troughton stories The Tomb of the Cybermen and The Krotons.

Watch the stories from their website.
(with thanks to Ade)




FILTER: - Online - William Hartnell - Classic Series

Barry Letts: Who and Me

Friday, 9 October 2009 - Reported by Chuck Foster
November sees the release of the autobiography of Barry Letts. The book covers the producer/director's career up to and throughout his time as producer of Doctor Who during Jon Pertwee's tenure as the Doctor, and features additional material that didn't appear in the previously released audio book version.

The book will be published by Fantom Films, and will have both a paperback and limited edition hardback version with additional interviews with Letts, Terrance Dicks and Katy Manning.

The company has also just released an audio book version of actress Mary Tamm's autobiography.


Barry Letts: Who and Me

Barry Letts began his screen career as an actor, starring in the Ealing film Scott of the Antarctic and TV dramas such as The Avengers, The Moonstone and Gunpowder Guy in which future Doctor Who actor Patrick Troughton took the lead role. In the 1960s he switched to directing, taking the helm of classic shows such as The Newcomers and Z Cars.

Barry got his first taste of Doctor Who in 1967 when he directed the six-part serial The Enemy of the World. In 1969, he took over as the show’s producer. This was an exciting time for Doctor Who – the show had a new lead actor, and was being broadcast in colour for the first time. Barry reveals his memories of this era, talking about his relationship with script editor Terrance Dicks and the show’s cast, Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning and Roger Delgado.

Packed with behind-the-scenes gossip, fascinating production detail and witty anecdotes, Who and Me recounts Barry Letts’ journey from struggling actor to successful producer, and the ups and downs of working on Doctor Who during the Jon Pertwee years.




FILTER: - Merchandise - Audio - Auto/Biography - Books

Chicks Dig Time Lords

Friday, 9 October 2009 - Reported by Jeremy Bement
Mad Norwegian Press has announced the forthcoming publication of "Chicks Dig Time Lords: A Celebration of Doctor Who by the Women Who Love It." Slated for March 15 release, this essay collection ---designed for male and female readers alike --- features a host of award-winning female novelists, academics and actresses discussing their involvement with "Doctor Who" fandom, critiquing various characters and aspects of the series, and examining the more extraordinary aspects of what it's like to be a female "Doctor Who"enthusiast.

Contributors to this essay collection include Carole E. Barrowman (Anything Goes), Elizabeth Bear (the Jenny Casey trilogy), Lisa Bowerman (star of the Bernice Summerfield audios), Jackie Jenkins (Doctor Who Magazine), Mary Robinette Kowal (Shades of Milk and Honey), Seanan McGuire (Rosemary and Rue), Jody Lynn Nye (the Mythology series), Kate Orman (Seeing I), Lloyd Rose (Camera Obscura), Catherynne M. Valente (The Orphan’s Tales) and more. Also included is a comic from Tammy Garrison and Katy Shuttleworth (Torchwood Babiez), as well as interviews with India Fisher (Charley in the Doctor Who audios) and Sophie Aldred (Ace on Doctor Who,1987-1989).




FILTER: - Merchandise - Books

More details of Blue Peter contest

Thursday, 8 October 2009 - Reported by Anthony Weight

As previously reported here on the Doctor Who News Page, the BBC children's magazine programme Blue Peter has officially launched its new competition for young fans to design a TARDIS console. The contest is for children aged between 6 and 12, and the final winning design will be chosen by Eleventh Doctor actor Matt Smith. It is specified that the design "must incorporate household objects," and entrants are advised to "make sure it really feels as if the Doctor has put it together."

Full details are available on the Blue Peter website.





FILTER: - Matt Smith - Competitions - Series 5/31

Doctor Who: 2010 Logo Unveiled

Tuesday, 6 October 2009 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The BBC have now unveiled the new Doctor Who logo to accompany the 2010 television series. In the press release, Steven Moffat (the new Head Writer) says:
A new logo. The 11th logo for the 11th Doctor - those grand old words, Doctor Who, suddenly looking newer than ever.

And, look at that, something really new - an insignia! DW in TARDIS form! Simple and beautiful, and most important of all, a completely irresistible doodle.

I apologise to school notebooks everywhere, because in 2010 that's what they're going to be wearing."
SFX Magazine reported that the 'Doctor Who' lettering is officially referred to as the logo, whilst the "TARDIS" graphic is the insignia.

Press coverage from: Telegraph, Telegraph (again), Daily Star, The Sun.




FILTER: - Steven Moffat - Press - Series 5/31

New Doctor Who Logo to be revealed

Monday, 5 October 2009 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The BBC have announced on the official Doctor Who website that a new logo for the series will be revealed tomorrow morning at 8:00am UK time:
On one level, the logo is the iconic image that represents Doctor Who. But it's much more than that - it becomes an icon that is recognised from Cardiff to California, an emblem of excitement, humour, scary monsters, brave companions and the Doctor! And so the new logo must be stylish, fresh, distinctive and bold. Must be. And will be. See for yourself when we reveal it exclusively, on this site at 8am on Tuesday, 6th October!

There is also a video on the evolution of the Doctor Who logo to accompany the article.




FILTER: - Press - Series 5/31

New K9 trailer

Saturday, 3 October 2009 - Reported by Josiah Rowe

Park Entertainment, distributors of the forthcoming K9 series, have released a new trailer for the programme. In the trailer, John Leeson can be heard as the voice of K9, a part he originated in the 1970s.

K9 is planned to air in early 2010 on Australia's Network Ten and on Disney XD in Europe.

View the trailer







FILTER: - K9

Sarah Jane Adventures preview

Monday, 28 September 2009 - Reported by Anthony Weight

The BBC Press Office has released a video preview of the forthcoming new season of children's programme for the autumn and winter. The third series of Doctor Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures is one of the productions heavily featured, with several clips from the new run of episodes, which begin on BBC One next month. The drama, starring Elisabeth Sladen as former companion Sarah Jane Smith, will feature a guest appearance from David Tennant in one two-part story. This was the final work Tennant completed as the Tenth Doctor, produced after he had finished his final run of Doctor Who specials.





FILTER: - Sarah Jane

BBC Trust launches review

Friday, 25 September 2009 - Reported by Marcus
The BBC Trust has launched a review of BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four and the Red Button.

This forms part of the Trust’s regular series of reviews and will be the largest and most significant service review the Trust has undertaken. BBC One and BBC Two are the two most popular services that the BBC operates. It will be the first time that the Trust has looked at these services. BBC One is the parent channel of Doctor Who and its spin-off series Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures, and the programme has also frequently made use of the interactive digital Red Button services.

Diane Coyle, BBC Trustee, who is leading the review said:

"The Trust is the BBC’s governing body and we need to ensure these services are meeting audiences’ expectations. This is why we have launched this significant piece of work that will help us understand how well the BBC’s most popular services are operating. These services have a key role in helping the BBC deliver its public service mission. We’ll be looking at how they are performing against their service licences and whether they are offering value for money.

"Our research tells us that audiences want and expect more fresh and new ideas on the BBC television. This review will help us understand how best the BBC can provide distinctive programming that audiences love.

"We now want to encourage viewers to get in touch with us to let us know what they think of these BBC services."

Viewers can participate in the survey online.




FILTER: - Production

Sarah Jane dates Confirmed

Thursday, 24 September 2009 - Reported by Marcus

The BBC has confirmed that Series Three of The Sarah Jane Adventures will start on BBC1 at 4.35pm on Thursday 15th October. Part Two will follow on the Friday afternoon.
Investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith, one-time companion to The Doctor, is back for a third series of alien-busting adventures, from creator Russell T Davies, which also features a special appearance from The Doctor himself, David Tennant, who stars in two episodes.

Sarah Jane is accompanied by her adopted son, Luke, his streetwise pal, Clyde Langer, their schoolmate, Rani, who lives opposite and has aspirations to become a journalist like Sarah Jane, and their Xylok super computer in the attic, Mr Smith. Sarah Jane's robot dog, K-9, also joins the gang on their adventures.

In the first of this two-part adventure, Sarah Jane and the gang face the most dangerous day of their lives, as the rhino-like Judoon return. When prisoner Androvax the Destroyer crash-lands on Earth, a Veil is set free and starts to turn Earth's technology against itself. And his next intended victim is Sarah Jane.

The series also features an extraterrestrial girl who can make people play games against their will; a living painting; the inhabitants of a supposedly haunted house; and monsters who want to infect Earth with a strangely aggressive weed. Finally, there is a chance for Sarah Jane to find personal happiness with someone who could be the perfect person to complete her family.

A brand-new website accompanies the third series, complete with a trailer maker, monster hunt, video diaries from the cast, web games and exclusive behind-the-scenes videos.


You can now follow the Doctor Who News Page on Follow Doctor Who News on Twitter




FILTER: - Sarah Jane - Broadcasting