BBC Worldwide have announced the first of 2004's DVD releases in the UK: The Visitation. The Season 19 serial's release is scheduled for January 24 from BBC Video, and features commentary by its four stars -- Peter Davison, Sarah Sutton, Janet Fielding and Matthew Waterhouse -- as well as director Peter Moffatt; "Directing Who: Peter Moffatt," a 26-minute featurette about the director from an interview conducted earlier this year; "Writing a Final Visitation," an 12-minute interview with author and script editor Eric Saward conducted in Black Park (site of the story's filming) in September; "Scoring the Visitation," a short interview with composer Paddy Kingsland excerpted from a longer one conducted by Mark Ayres (presumably to be released on later DVDs); Film Trims, including extended and deleted scenes; a music-only option; photo gallery, easter eggs and production notes. There are rumors that "Black Orchid" would also be attached to this on other sites, but the Restoration Team has confirmed that this is completely untrue. The RT has posted an article about the restoration process for this episode, as well. "The Visitation" was previously rumored on a list of 2004 releases that remained unconfirmed by the BBC, but now joins the pack as the first confirmation for the year.

Meanwhile, several bits of information were revealed this weekend to Panopticon attendees. Actor Michael Sheard announced that he, Elisabeth Sladen and producer Philip Hinchcliffe had recorded the commentary for the forthcomingPyramids of Mars DVD, due out later in the year (possibly March); the DVD would also feature both a location visit to Stargroves Estate that Sheard hosts, and (subject to licensing) a comedy sketch screened at the convention featuring Sutekh. Director Christopher Barry said he recorded a commentary for The Daemons, while Nick Courtney mentioned that he, Katy Manning and Barry Letts would provide commentaries for The Claws of Axos -- of course, neither of these discs have been announced by the BBC; other commentaries have been recorded in the past for future story releases, which still haven't happened! (Thanks to Colin John Francis, BBCi, the Restoration Team)

More of the same... today's Daily Mirror features a sidebar article that says that Eastenders actor Shane Richie is one of the candidates to be the next Doctor. We've provided the article which you can read by clicking the thumbnail at right... but of course this is likely just more from the publicity mill. (Thanks to Gallifrey 5)

The forthcoming UK Gold Anniversary Weekend will feature, if our information is correct, the following stories selected out of their recent viewers' poll: "The Time Meddler," "Tomb of the Cybermen," "The Daemons," "Pyramids of Mars," "The Caves of Androzani," "Attack of the Cybermen" and "Dragonfire". The stories will be aired over the weekend, with various interviews/features interspersed throughout. Hopefully, UK Gold will avail themselves of restored-quality prints as some of their viewing prints (specifically "The Time Meddler") are "virtually unwatchable". (Thanks to Mark Campbell)

The Doctor Who Appreciation Society is releasing two new publications for the 40th anniversary. In November, the regular DWAS newsletter Celestial Toyroom will take a monthÆs break and there will be a special issue of TARDIS, the SocietyÆs other publication. TARDIS will have a colour cover (right) and features articles and interviews as well as details on the forthcoming "Doctor Omega 2". Also, Ian WheelerÆs collection of drabbles, entitled Who XL, will also be available soon and will feature contributions form the likes of Colin Baker and Nicholas Courtney. They hope to make both publications available to non-members. More information can be had by emailing wheelersworld@tiscali.co.uk. (Thanks to Ian Wheeler)

At last, we're getting details about North America's 2004 list of Doctor Who selections. Having now exhausted the VHS range, the current plans call for the distribution of two DVDs per quarter, released at the same time, likely in February, May, August and November. According to email from BBCAmericaShop, the first two DVDs for 2004 will be The Seeds of Death starring Patrick Troughton and, in a surprise move, The Three Doctors starring Jon Pertwee, Troughton and William Hartnell. ("Three Doctors" is only seeing release next month in the UK!) This is, of course, subject to change. We do know that at this time there are no plans for an additional North America-only boxed set (like "The Key to Time") and that only stories released first in the UK will be on this schedule. More details as we get them.

At right: the new cover illustration from The Wormery, the November 2003 Big Finish audio starring Colin Baker with Katy Manning as Iris Wildthyme (click on the thumbnail for a larger version). Also at the BF site - a preview of the forthcoming The Inside Story book with PDF copies of the pages for two stories, "The Sirens of Time" and "The Spectre of Lanyon Moor". Visit the Big Finish website to view them.

The BBC has released press details for the forthcoming The Scream of the Shalka, which has been announced as starting on Thursday, November 13 on BBCi. Says the press release:


The article from the BBC Press Office goes on further to describe the story, the first story information so far released:


Looks like it's only a few weeks away. (Thanks to Phil Creighton, Steve Tribe)

More on that special Doctor Who anniversary album we reported some time ago: it's called Resistance is Futile and includes "a series of remixes, modern interpretations and re-workings of Radiophonic Workshop material and classic Doctor Who music." Says BBCi: "Artists, which include Lemon Jelly, The Orb, Radioslave, 808state, Unkle, Howie B, Coldcut, Mark B and St Etienne were all given access to parts of the extensive archive of material which help shape the sound of modern dance music. The results are a unique insight into how artists of today were influenced by this groundbreaking music of the past. The album ... is out at the start of 2004, and all attendees to Panopticon 2003 will receive a free limited edition 3 track promo sampler. Numbers are limited so make sure you don't miss out." A small version of the cover is at right. (Thanks to BBCi)

We've just learned that the forthcoming BBC Radio Collection audio release of Marco Polo will, like the "Daleks' Master Plan" relase, contain MP3 files of the "clean" soundtrack, without William Russell's narration. The package
will also contain a fold-out colour map, on which the caravan's journey can be traced as the story progresses, and this will also be included as a jpeg file. The "extras" will be on the first of the three discs. (Thanks to Stephen James Walker)

A new article in tomorrow's The Independent in the UK picks "The A-Team," the cult 1980's television series, as the show they most want returned to the airwaves. "Doctor Who" came in ninth place with a mere 1% of the vote... falling behind such "classics" as "The Dukes of Hazzard," "Knight Rider," "Dallas" and "Miami Vice" (just who were they talking to, anyway?) but, of course, the numbers could be skewed because ... Doctor Who's already scheduled to return! Read the article here. (Thanks to Andrew Harvey)