Germany: FOX confirm time for The Caretaker

Friday, 19 September 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster and Pascal Salzmann
With an 8:30pm timeslot for the new Doctor's sixth adventure The Caretaker announced by the BBC earlier this week, German broadcaster FOX have now confirmed that they will amend their schedule to accomodate the later time. The channel has to date aired the series at 9:00pm European time, a little later than the BBC One broadcast, but from the 27th September German viewers will be able to enjoy the episode simulataneously with those in the United Kingdom.

FOX told us:
Tatsächlich wird die BBC in UK am 27. September eine neue Sendezeit für "Doctor Who" testen. An diese Zeit müssen sich selbstverständlich alle ausstrahlenden Länder halten, um die Folgen nicht vor der Weltpremiere zu zeigen. Episode 6 ist am 27. September um 21.30 Uhr gleichzeitig zur UK-Ausstrahlung auf Fox zu sehen.

It is indeed the case that the BBC in the UK is going to test a new airtime for "Doctor Who" on 27th September. All broadcasting countries have to change their schedules, of course, to not broadcast the episode before the world premiere. Episode 6 will be shown at 27th September, 9.30pm, at the same time as in the UK.

The series is currently broadcast in English on Saturday evenings, preceeded by the previous episode with subtitles; the entire series is due to be repeated with a German soundtrack from the 15th November.





FILTER: - Germany - International Broadcasting - Series 8/34

Meet the gang - Time Heist

Thursday, 18 September 2014 - Reported by Marcus

Meet the gang - Time Heist: Preview
The Doctor and Clara find out more about their fellow robbers' super powers...




FILTER: - Series 8/34

Doctor Who Magazine 478

Thursday, 18 September 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Doctor Who Magazine Issue 478 (Credit: Doctor Who Magazine)The new edition of Doctor Who Magazine was published today, and features an exclusive interview with Mummy on the Orient Express guest star, comedian Frank Skinner, who discusses his role as Perkins in the episode:
I don’t know how I’ll feel when they say, ‘And that’s a wrap for Mr Skinner. I’m sure I’ll go through a mix of emotions. When footballers are in cup finals, the managers always say, ‘Savour every moment,’ and that’s what I’m doing. Every moment is ‘wowee’!

Also in this issue:

Doctor Who Magazine issue 478 is out now.




FILTER: - DWM - Magazines

Moments in Time: the first international broadcast

Thursday, 18 September 2014 - Reported by Paul Scoones and Chuck Foster
Moments in TimeOn the 23rd November 2013 the world celebrated Doctor Who reaching its fiftieth anniversary, receiving a Guinness World Record as some 94 countries were officially recorded as having shown the anniversary episode. However, the 18th September 2014 sees another milestone celebrated as, fifty years ago, An Unearthly Child was to receive its first-ever international broadcast.

The country in question was New Zealand, with the Doctor's very first appearance outside the United Kingdom to be broadcast by Christchurch's CHTV-3. The episode was shown at 7:57pm, sandwiched between news programme NZBC Reports... and a documentary about Dr. Gordon Seagrave, The Burma Surgeon Today, and was introduced by the weekly magazine The New Zealand Listener as:

The first of a new adventure series about an exile from another world and a distant future, travelling with his granddaughter and two London school teachers through time and space. Starring William Hartnell as Doctor Who and Carol Ann Ford (sic) as his granddaughter. In tonight's episode Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright, two school teachers, decide to try and find out more about one of their pupils who is puzzling them.

You can read the country's introduction to the Doctor from the Listener below.

CHTV-3 Schedule for 18 Sep 1964 (Credit: The Listener) Article on series (Credit: The Listener) Article Image (Credit: The Listener)





FILTER: - First Doctor - International Broadcasting - Moments in Time - New Zealand

Ghost Light soundtrack to be released on Vinyl

Thursday, 18 September 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Ghost Light (vinyl) (Credit: Silva Screen)Silva Screen have announced that a double LP version of the soundtrack from Ghost Light, the final recorded story from the series' original run. (Re)Released on CD last year, the soundtrack is presented more closely to the original broadcast. Composer Mark Ayres says:
This newly-remastered release presents the score in story order and is compiled from new transfers of the original analogue stereo master tapes. Consecutive cues have been combined into longer tracks. It is a particular delight to hear this music on vinyl. It was some of the last work I mixed to analogue 1/4” tape before digital took over, and suits the medium well. It also allows me to dedicate a side to each episode, keeping the cliff-hangers and reprises intact…plus the original demo version of Episode 1 on side 4.
The soundtrack is due out on the 13th October, and can be purchased from Silva Screen's website.





FILTER: - Audio - Classic Series - Merchandise

The Caretaker time confirmed for 8:30pm

Wednesday, 17 September 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Listen (Credit: BBC,  Ray Burmistan)With the return of Strictly Come Dancing to Saturday evenings from the 27th September, the BBC have confirmed that the sixth episode in the current run of Doctor Who, The Caretaker, will air from 8:30pm in the evening. On the other main UK channels the episode is scheduled against ITV's The X Factor (which airs from 8:00pm to 9:20pm), The Ryder Cup on BBC2, Grand Designs on Channel 4, and World War II in Colour on Channel Five.

This is only the second occurrence in the history of the show that a new episode has ever been scheduled so late in the evening, with only the singular outing for Paul McGann in the TV Movie being broadcast at the same time in 1996.

The later time-slot does not impact the North American broadcasts on BBC America and SPACE, and the early morning Australian simulcast on ABC will be adjusted accordingly - however, FOX in Germany currently have the episode scheduled for 9:00pm (8:00pm UK time) - it is expected that this will be revised shortly.

The terrifying Skovox Blitzer is ready to destroy all humanity - but worse, and any second now, Danny Pink and the Doctor are going to meet.

When terrifying events threaten Coal Hill school, the Doctor decides to go undercover.




FILTER: - Broadcasting - Series 8/34

Deep Breath released on DVD/Blu-ray

Wednesday, 17 September 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Peter Capaldi's debut story Deep Breath is now available to buy on Blu-ray and DVD, and the BBC have release a short clip from the story's 'prequel' which was originally shown alongside the episode in cinemas last month.


Deep Breath (Blu-ray) (Credit: BBC)The release also includes behind-the-scenes material and the live programme Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor which introduced the world to Capaldi as the latest incarnation.

The episode is available to buy from our Amazon shop on Blu-ray (UK/US/CA) or DVD (UK/US/CA).

The Complete Series Eight boxed set is also available for pre-order, due out on the 17th November in the UK (BD/DVD) and on the 9th December in the US (BD/DVD) and Canada (BD/DVD).




FILTER: - Blu-ray/DVD - Series 8/34

Doctor Who earns top spot in US Box Office

Tuesday, 16 September 2014 - Reported by Marcus
Figures released show that the US theatrical screening of Doctor Who Deep Breath achieved top spot at the US Box office.

The screening, organised by BBC America and Fantom Events, broke box office records on 25th August. According to Rentrak, the event was screened in more than 650 theatres nationwide where it ranked No. 1 at the box office compared to all other films that Monday night.

In addition, Doctor Who Season Premiere: Deep Breath stands as the No. 1 alternative content event in U.S. theatres this year.

Soumya Sriraman, BBC Worldwide North America’s EVP Home Entertainment and Licensing said
Doctor Who continues to grow in the U.S. and it is thrilling to see the fans come out for the theatrical screening experience as we’ve embarked on new adventures with Peter Capaldi as the Doctor. We’ve enjoyed partnering with Fathom Events and our accomplishment in the box office is a testament to the successful collaboration between our two companies.
Fathom Events CEO John Rubey added
To say we are extremely pleased with the performance of the Doctor Who Season Premiere event in cinemas would be an understatement. The fact that it did so well compared to top summer blockbusters shows that this series continues to inspire a dedicated and passionate fan following. We look forward to partnering with on future events to bring audiences more of the programs they love and want to experience in theaters together.
In addition Doctor Who ranked number One in the Rentrak TV engagement rating, also known as the Stickiness Index, which ranks primetime ad-supported cable and broadcast telecasts by level of viewer engagement. Doctor Who was the programme with the highest viewer engagement on Cable TV for the week ending 24 August.




FILTER: - Ratings - USA

Classic DVD release schedule for Germany announced

Tuesday, 16 September 2014 - Reported by Pascal Salzmann
Siebter Doktor: Volume 1 (Credit: Pandastorm)German DVD distributor Pandastorm Pictures announced today the upcoming plans for DVD releases of the classic series in a newsletter sent out to fans. As previously reported the first volume of seventh Doctor stories includes the complete Season 24 on four discs, all the bonus features of the UK DVD's and will be released on 28th November 2015.

Additionally, Pandastorm Pictures is going to release the following sets:

  • Siebter Doktor Volume 2 (Season 25, 5 discs, release date: 27th February 2015)
  • Siebter Doktor Volume 3 (Season 26, 7 discs, release date: 24th April 2015)
  •  Die Fünf Doktoren (The Five Doctors, 2 discs, release date: tba)
  • Sechster Doktor Volume 1 (The Twin Dilemma & Season 22, 7 discs, release date: tba)
  • Sechster Doktor Volume 2 (Season 23, 4 discs, release date: tba)
  • Doctor Who - The Movie (2 discs, release date: tba)

According to the newsletter there are currently rights issues that need to be resolved before the TV Movie can be released.

There are no German dubs to any other episodes available, so further releases are unlikely. However, the distributor has told fans that it would consider dubbing more classic episodes if the DVD's are going to sell extremely well.

Der Siebte Doktor Volume 1 can be pre-ordered from Amazon Germany.






FILTER: - Blu-ray/DVD - Classic Series - Eighth Doctor - Fifth Doctor - Germany - Seventh Doctor

Australian overnight ratings for Listen

Tuesday, 16 September 2014 - Reported by Adam Kirk
Against stiff competition from the commercial networks, Listen averaged 661,000 in the five major Australian capital cities and was the twelfth highest rating program of the day overall in the big cities (these figures do not include regional and rural viewers or time shifted viewers). It was the second highest rating drama of the day (after ANZAC Girls). For the first time this series, Doctor Who also slipped outside the top ten national programs as well (which includes the five major capitals and regional and rural viewers).




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