The Magician's Apprentice: further BBC Worldwide confirmations

Sunday, 30 August 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Peter Capaldi as The Doctor (Credit: BBC / David Venni)BBC Worldwide have confirmed the broadcast of series premiere The Magician's Apprentice in some more of their worldwide schedules.

The Far East will get to see the latest adventures of the Doctor and Clara only a few hours after the United Kingdom, with BBC Asia confirming that it will show the episode on Saturday 20th September at 10:00am (3:00am UK time). The series will be shown on BBC Entertainment at both 10:00am and a prime-time 8:15pm, with various repeats throughout the week thereafter. The channel is currently available in Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Burma, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

Belgium and the Netherlands will see The Magician's Apprentice a couple of days later, as BBC First air the premiere prime-time on Monday 22nd September at 9:00pm; as with BBC Asia the episode will be repeated several times during the week before the next episode airs.


The Magician's Apprentice: Known Broadcast Details
United KingdomBBC OneSat 19 Sep 2015time tbc
United States of AmericaBBC AmericaSat 19 Sep 20159:00pm EDT(2:00am BST)
CanadaSPACESat 19 Sep 20159:00pm EDT(2:00am BST)
Asia PacificBBC EntertainmentSun 20 Sep 201510:00am SGT(3:00am BST)
AustraliaABCSun 20 Sep 20157:40pm AEST(10:40am BST)
Europe (Benelux)BBC FirstTue 22 Sep 20159:00pm CEST
FinlandYLE2Mon 28 Sep 20156:00pm EEST
New ZealandPRIMESep 2015date tbc
South AfricaBBC FirstSat 24 Oct 20156:00pm SAST
GermanyFOXDecember 2015date tbc(dubbed into German)
IndiaFX"coming soon in 2015"date tbc
ItalyRAI4Early 2016date tbc(dubbed into Italian)
Update: Australia is now confirmed for 7:40pm 20th September

Check our guide page for the latest transmission updates, and for general broadcasting details around the world see This Week in Doctor Who.




FILTER: - Asia Pacific - Broadcasting - Europe - International Broadcasting - Series 9/35

The Magician's Apprentice: Broadcast Roundup

Friday, 28 August 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Peter Capaldi as The Doctor (Credit: BBC / David Venni)As the premiere of new series opener The Magician's Apprentice rapidly approaches, here is a roundup of the television channels that have currently announced their plans to show the episode:

United Kingdom: BBC One, Saturday 19th September
The home channel of Doctor Who, of course! Unlike previous years the date was announced quite a way in advance, though the actual time of broadcast has yet to be confirmed - it is expected that the show will occupy the time-slot either immediately before or after BBC One's 'traditional' Autumn Saturday evening entertainment show Strictly Come Dancing. The BBC Media Centre publish their details of programmes transmitted from the 19th September next Thursday (though the time might still need 'to be confirmed').

USA: BBC America, Saturday 19th September, 9:00pm EST
The first channel to announce a broadcast time, BBC America will show the series in its own 'traditional' prime-time slot on Saturday evenings.

Canada: SPACE, Saturday 19th September, 9:00pm EST
The Canadian channel has confirmed to us that they too will broadcast the premiere at the same time as the United States.

Australia: ABC, Sunday 20th September
Trailers have been broadcasting on ABC to confirm that, as in previous years, the episode will be broadcast within 24 hours of the United Kingdom (and also available on their iView platform) - there has been no confirmation as yet whether the channel will also simulcast the episode in the early hours of the morning. ABC's Media Room should have details for that week available next Tuesday.

New Zealand: PRIME
As of writing, PRIME have yet to reveal when they are showing the episode, though they have confirmed it will be in September.

Finland: YLE2, Monday 28th September, ~6:00pm
The Finnish channel have confirmed that they will be showing the series on Monday evenings (these are broadcast in English). The actual time might change from 6:00pm, depending upon other programming.

South Africa: BBC First, Saturday 24th October, 6:00pm
Doctor Who will be one of the flagship programmes on the new BBC Worldwide channel BBC First in South Africa, which launches on the 18th October. The series has been confirmed for Saturday evenings.

Germany: FOX, December
FOX announced that, unlike previous years, they would not be showing Doctor Who until December. Last year there were unforeseen problems over arrangements with BBC Worldwide causing the German dub to be unavailable for broadcast, leading to the channel broadcasting a subtitled English version instead with the German version following after the series had ended - this time around the premiere on the channel will be the German version.

India: FX
The Indian broadcaster has announced that they plan to show the new series, but have yet to confirm the date when the series will start. FX recently took up the mantle for broadcasting Doctor Who in India, where the show hadn't been seen since BBC Worldwide ceased broadcasting there in 2012.


Check our guide page for the latest transmission updates, and for general broadcasting details around the world see This Week in Doctor Who.

(with thanks to Grant Sirett, Jouni Lahtinen, Jesse Wanagas [SPACE]




FILTER: - Broadcasting - International Broadcasting - Series 9/35

Germany News Roundup

Monday, 20 July 2015 - Reported by Pascal Salzmann
Peter Capaldi in Berlin (Credit: FOX International Channels Germany)
The last week has seen the cast of Doctor Who visiting Berlin, in a country where the show has grown in popularity for the last few years. Here is a news update on current and upcoming developments in Germany:

  • FOX announced that Series 9 will premiere in December, almost three months after the UK. This is a departure from the near simulcast broadcasts from recent years. Last year, problems with the BBC's delivery of the material needed to dub Series 8 in time, resulted in near simulcast airings of the episodes in English with German subtitles.
  • Books publisher Cross Cult announced the release of a monthly e-books series called Zeitreisen (Time Trips). Book 1 Die Todesgrube ("The Death Pit") by A.L. Kennedy will be released on 26th October 2015. It can be pre-ordered at Amazon Germany.
    More upcoming printed titles include the eighth Doctor novels Silhouette by Justin Richard on 24th August 2015 and Der Kriechende Terror ("The Crawling Terror") by Mike Tucker on 8th February 2016. November will see the release of the novelisation of City of Death, written by James Goss, with the German title Die Stadt des Todes.
    • German online audio books platform Audible has announced the release of Gareth Robert's Shada novelisation. It will be unabridged and read by Michael Schwarzmaier, who dubbed Tom Baker in the German versions of The Five Doctors and in Day of the Doctor. The audio book can be pre-ordered on Amazon Germany.
    • The first German convention for fans of Doctor Who, the TimeLash Event, has now sold out. Guests include Paul McGann, Nicholas Briggs, Catrin Stewart, Nicola Bryant, Terry Molloy, Toby Hadoke, Nev Fountain, Terrance Dicks, Andrew Cartmel and many more. It takes place in Kassel on the 24th to 25th October 2015.
    • DVD distributer Pandastorm Pictures has released a trailer for the upcoming German DVD boxed set of Die Fünf Doktoren (20th anniversary special The Five Doctors). The 3-disc-set will contain the 90 minute TV-version, the three-parter that was shown in Germany in 1995 and the 100 minute special edition. The set will be released on 28th August 2015. The trailer can be viewed below.






    FILTER: - Audio - Books - Cross Cult - Fifth Doctor - FOX - Germany - International Broadcasting

    Doctor Who comes to FX India

    Wednesday, 29 April 2015 - Reported by Marcus
    BBC Worldwide have signed a deal to bring Doctor Who to the Indian channel FX.

    All eight post 2005 series of the show will be screened starting 15th May 2015. The deal marks largest volume sale of the BBC series in the country. FX is owned by Star India Private Limited and is available in a million homes in the country.

    Myleeta Aga, SVP and GM of BBC Worldwide in India said
    This partnership marks a milestone for us. It will be the first time Whovians in India will be able to participate in the global Doctor Who phenomenon. And it is also the first time we’ve concluded a major deal with Star India.

    We’ve seen an increasing interest in British drama from our partners in the last 12 months or so. Viewers now recognise the originality of British drama, and this has caused a surge in interest in our drama series like Doctor Who. We are very glad to be working with Star India to bring this very iconic series (including series 9 which is currently being filmed) to viewers in India.
    A Star India spokesperson commented:
    We are very excited to be bringing Doctor Who to our viewers in India. Doctor Who is distributed to over 200 territories across the world. We are very happy India will now be part of this global sensation and we’re sure that the series will resonate with our viewers.
    Brian Minchin, Executive Producer, Doctor Who says:
    We are delighted that Doctor Who is going to hit the screens of FX. We’re hugely proud of the show and the Doctor’s adventures in time and space. Hold on tight - there are thrills and wonders ahead! 51 years ago, the very first episode of Doctor Who was directed by Waris Hussein, born in Lucknow. I like to think we’ve finally come full circle with the new modern series launching in India on FX.




    FILTER: - Broadcasting - Doctor Who - India

    Doctor Who Coming to DisneyXD

    Wednesday, 15 April 2015 - Reported by Marcus
    The exploits of the Tenth Doctor are coming to Disney XD in North America, from Saturday, May 9.

    Disney XD, which is home to top-rated action adventure programming including Lucasfilm's Star Wars Rebels and Marvel Television's animated series, has picked up Doctor Who Series 2 to 4, starring David Tennant as the Doctor.

    The series will begin st 9:00 p.m., ET/PT with a preview airing of New Earth following the Disney XD premiere of Fantastic Four. In "New Earth," the Doctor and Rose board the TARDIS for new adventures in time and space. But when they visit mankind’s new home, far in the future, they find gruesome secrets hidden inside a luxury hospital. And an enemy thought long since dead, the paper-thin Cassandra, is out for revenge.

    Season Two, "Adventures in time and space," will continue to rollout on Disney XD beginning Saturday, June 13. The special week-long programming event will give fans eight episodes airing daily Saturday, June 13 through Saturday, June 20. Beginning June 14, episodes will also be available on the WATCH Disney XD app, which allows consumers to watch on tablets, phones, computers and connected TVs.

    Marc Buhaj, Senior Vice President, Programming and General Manager, Disney XD said,
    It has been a pleasure working with BBC and we are thrilled that their hallmark drama series 'Doctor Who' is joining the Disney XD programming line-up. This iconic series features the high-quality, high-stakes action and adventure storytelling that our viewers love. The show headlines one of the most charismatic lead characters in television in the form of the Doctor and showcases a compelling rogues' gallery of villains from around the universe.
    Matt Forde, EVP Sales & Co-productions, TV, BBC Worldwide North America added
    Disney XD is recognized for its family-friendly programming making the channel a great partner to introduce the David Tennant seasons of 'Doctor Who' to a new generation of viewers.




    FILTER: - Broadcasting - Series 2/28 - Series 3/29 - Series 4/30 - USA

    Horror comes to Freeview

    Monday, 9 March 2015 - Reported by Marcus
    The Horror Channel in the UK is to be broadcast on Freeview, allowing the majority of UK viewers to watch classic Doctor Who, without a subscription.

    The Horror Channel has been showing old Doctor Who episodes since last Easter, but until now the channel has only been available on Sky, Virgin and Freesat. The new deal means that from Friday 13th March it will be available on channel number 70 on Freeview, available to over 90% of the population in 17 million homes.

    Tanya Gugenheim, Chief Business Development Officer, AMC Networks International – Zone said:
    Horror Channel has become the third channel in the CBS AMC Channel portfolio to launch on Freeview within a year, joining CBS Reality and CBS Action and underscoring the demand for our content offering. The channel already boasts a loyal fan base, and we’re pleased to introduce it to a broader audience through Freeview.
    The first story to be shown on Freeview will be the 1978 story The Stones of Blood.

    A full list of stories can be found on our sister site This Week in Doctor Who.




    FILTER: - Broadcasting - Classic Series

    Moments in Time: Doctor Who debuts in North America

    Friday, 23 January 2015 - Reported by Alex Frazer-Harrison
    CBC TimesBefore Doctor Who debuted on the CBC, the CBC Times published this tongue-in-cheek "warning" for parents. (Courtesy BroaDWcast.org).
    “Will this man influence young minds?”

    That was the question asked of Canadian parents 50 years ago on January 23, 1965, when the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) became the first North American broadcaster to air Doctor Who. At this time, only two other markets outside the UK, New Zealand and Australia, had aired the show. Efforts to sell the low-budgeted series had failed in the US where glossier British imports like The Saint held sway. But the CBC was very much like the BBC and low-budgeted, studio-bound productions were common, so Doctor Who found a Canadian home.

    The fact the series was in part devised by Canadian Sydney Newman, who had worked for the CBC until the late 1950s, likely was a selling point in its favour.

    To mark the debut, the January 23, 1965 edition of CBC Times (long-defunct Canadian equivalent of Radio Times) got into the spirit by publishing a faux memo to the nation’s parents, “warning” them of the impending arrival of “Dr. Who” in their living rooms, illustrated with an image of William Hartnell and a pair of Sensorites.

    Broadcasts began with An Unearthly Child, with the series scheduled at 5 p.m. on Saturdays, mimicking the BBC’s scheduling (some CBC affiliates aired it at different times). After episode 6 of The Daleks, however, the CBC took Doctor Who off the air for more than two weeks and when it returned it was in a new timeslot on Wednesday afternoons.

    With many CBC stations broadcasting close to the border, some American markets, such as Seattle and Detroit, would have been able to see the show, nearly a decade before the Jon Pertwee-era episodes were finally syndicated there.

    Ultimately, Doctor Who was destined for a short run on the CBC. After July 2, 1965, the show was abruptly cancelled after the conclusion of The Keys of Marinus (according to the research site BroaDWcast.org, it’s possible at least one affiliate was forced to pull the show midway through the serial). Ironically, the show was pulled before getting to The Sensorites, the storyline promoted in the original CBC Times memo.

    Doctor Who would not be shown in Canada again until 1976 when local broadcasters in Vancouver and Ontario began showing the Pertwee era. The episodes aired by the CBC in 1965 (minus the now-lost Marco Polo, but finally including the long-delayed The Sensorites) would not be seen again until the youth-oriented cable network YTV began showing them in the late 1980s, followed by Space in 1997.

    The CBC would play a role in the revival of Doctor Who in 2005, receiving a co-production credit for the first few seasons and airing the show in prime-time only a few weeks after the UK. For Series 1, the network recruited Christopher Eccleston to record special bumpers and intros and promotions for a visit-the-set contest sponsored by TV Guide; Billie Piper (donning an iconic Roots top) performed similar duties when The Christmas Invasion aired only one day after the UK. The CBC also produced its own behind-the-scenes featurettes that aired alongside the main show.

    Moments in Time By 2008, however, interest in the series at the CBC (which had similarly supported, broadcast, and then cancelled Torchwood) had waned. With Series 2, the gap between UK and Canadian airings extended to months and the CBC split the season (years before the BBC ever did) between The Impossible Planet and The Satan Pit. It skipped the 2007 Christmas special Voyage of the Damned altogether, and aired an international edit of Journey's End that was heavily criticized by Canadian fans. In early 2009, Space picked up the rights to air The Next Doctor and everything that followed. The CBC continued to air Modern Era reruns for the next couple of years on the main network and its digital network Bold, before quietly ending its run.

    The CBC’s original broadcast of Doctor Who has retained some interest decades later due to the fact one story shown in its entirety was the now-lost Marco Polo. However, despite the fact the series aired on affiliates from St. John’s, Nfld., to Vancouver, B.C., to date no copy of this serial has emerged from the Great White North.


    Learn more about the history of CBC and Canadian broadcasts of Classic Era Doctor Who at BroaDWcast.org. The site, run by Jon Preddle, John Lavalie and Steven Warren Hill, is always on the hunt for information about non-UK broadcasts of Doctor Who, including those in Canada. The ongoing adventures of Doctor Who on television in North America can be followed via This Week in Doctor Who.




    FILTER: - Broadcasting - International Broadcasting - Moments in Time

    Australian overnight ratings for Last Christmas

    Saturday, 27 December 2014 - Reported by Adam Kirk
    Last Christmas has debuted in Australia, averaging 563,000 viewers in the five major capital cities. It was the top-rating drama of the day and the thirteenth highest rating programme of the day overall.  These ratings do not include regional or time-shifted viewers.
    Media Links: TV Tonight




    FILTER: - Australia - Broadcasting - Ratings - Series Specials

    Last Christmas - Transmission times

    Monday, 8 December 2014 - Reported by Marcus
    ABC Australia has confirmed the Christmas episode of Doctor Who, Last Christmas, will be broadcast on ABC 1 on Friday 26th December at 7.30pm

    Transmission times have now been confirmed for the UK, Christmas Day at 6,15pm, the USA and Canada, Christmas Day at 9pm ET and Germany, Christmas Day at 9.30pm

    Other broadcasts follow during the week with full details listed here.




    FILTER: - Australia - Broadcasting - Canada - UK - USA

    Australian overnight ratings for Death in Heaven

    Monday, 10 November 2014 - Reported by Adam Kirk

    Death in Heaven averaged an excellent 995,000 national viewers in Australia (these figures include the five major capital cities and regional and rural viewers). It was the highest rating drama of the day and the seventh highest rating program of the day overall. Excluding regional and rural viewers, this story averaged 620,000 viewers in the five major Australian capital cities and was also the highest rating drama of the day and the eighth highest rating program of the day overall in the big cities. These ratings do not include time shifted viewers.




    FILTER: - Australia - Broadcasting - Ratings - Series 8/34