Update for Season 12 Collection replacement disc process

Thursday, 23 August 2018 - Reported by Chuck Foster
BBC Worldwide have provided clarification on how to get replacements for the faulty discs within the recently released Season Twelve Collection can be requested.

Doctor Who Collection - Season 12 - cover (Credit: BBC Worldwide)We will be offering replacements for the errors on Disc 3 (The Sontaran Experiment) and Disc 5 (Revenge of the Cybermen) in the Doctor Who The Collection Season 12 Blu-ray release.

In order to obtain a replacement, please email your name and address and proof of purchase to the appropriate DVD Support line in the form of a receipt from the retailer. If you do not have a receipt from the retailer, then please email a picture of the product with your full name and postal address in view in the picture. This is for fraud prevention reasons.
The estimated time frame for the replacement to be available is 2-3 weeks.
Please allow some time for the replacement disc to reach you.
We have a high volume of emails and customers to deal with, please bear with us.

Replacement requests and proof of purchase emails should only be sent to these email addresses and not the DVD Enquiry line.

If you have sent your proof of purchase already we will not respond to your email unless there is an issue with your proof. Please await the replacements as outlined above.

Please be assured that we have logged every proof and will get around to replacing all customers discs.

Owing to an administrative issue, some customers erroneously did not receive the correct replacement of Revenge of the Cybermen; DVD Support have apologised for the error, and advise:
If you have received the incorrect Disc 5, we will re-send it when available please re-email the DVD Support line only once with your postal address only. You do not need to resend your proof of purchase.




FILTER: - Australia - BBC Worldwide - Blu-ray/DVD - Doctor Who - Season 12 - UK - USA

Competition Roundup

Thursday, 23 November 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
A roundup of competitions now open for entry - all competitions are open worldwide with a closing date of Sunday 3rd December 2017.

BBC Worldwide: Shada [order from Amazon UK

"Delicate matter, slightly. It's about a book..." Chris Parsons is happily engrossed in studying post-graduate physics at Cambridge, when one day he finds an old book, sitting on a dusty shelf in an ageing professor's library. Written in a language nobody can read and made of a paper that can't be torn, this is no ordinary book. And when it enters his life, everything changes for young Chris Parsons. Soon finding himself aboard an invisible space-ship, chased by monsters made of molten rock; aboard an alien prison on a distant planet and attacked by a horde of mind-control zombies. Chris also meets a strange man with a very long scarf who claims he can travel through time and space... in a police box. It's going to be a busy day for Chris Parsons. An abandoned Doctor Who classic is brought to life. Starring Tom Baker and written by Douglas Adams, this is “Shada” for a modern audience, with footage upscaled to high definition, and incomplete footage now completed using high-quality animation.
Shada (Credit: BBC Worldwide)To be in with a chance to win the story on Blu Ray, simply answer the following question:
This release isn't the first time Shada has been animated, but what was the main difference between the original and the 2003 online version of the story?
Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-shada@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "It's just a Gallifreyan Nursery Book". Open to readers within the United Kingdom. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

BBC Audio: The Five Doctors [order from Amazon UK

Jon Culshaw reads this classic novelisation of Doctor Who's special 20th Anniversary TV adventure, featuring the Doctor in each of his first five incarnations. Each one has been removed from his time-stream and - with one unfortunate exception - brought to the Death Zone on Gallifrey. There they, along with an array of their loyal former companions, encounter numerous deadly obstacles including Daleks, Cybermen, Yeti, the Master and a fiendish set of puzzles. Who is the ultimate enemy they must all unite to defeat? Based on Terrance Dicks's epic TV adventure, first broadcast in 1983, The Five Doctors offered readers a chance to turn the clock back and meet some old friends – and some old enemies.
Doctor Who: The Five Doctors (Credit: BBC Audio)To be in with a chance to win the audiobook courtesy of BBC Audio, simply answer the following question:
What was unusual about the publication date of the original Target novelisation of The Five Doctors?
Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-fivedoctors@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Above, Between, Below". Open to readers worldwide. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

BBC Audio: The Classic TV Adventures Collection Two [order from Amazon UK

Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker and Peter Davison star as the Doctor in these narrated full-cast TV soundtracks of classic Doctor Who TV serials. Each one is enhanced with linking narration by a member of the original cast, including Frazer Hines, Caroline John, Richard Franklin, Louise Jameson, Lalla Ward and Janet Fielding. The six stories included in this volume are The Krotons, The Ambassadors of Death, The Mind of Evil, Horror of Fang Rock, City of Death and Warriors of the Deep, and they feature encounters with crystalline monsters, lost aliens, an alien mind parasite, a Rutan scout, Scaroth of the Jagaroth, and the combined might of the Silurians and the Sea Devils.
Doctor Who: Classic TV Adventures - Collection Two (Credit: BBC Audio)To be in with a chance to win the audiobook courtesy of BBC Audio, simply answer the following question:
Which of these stories has yet to be scheduled for release as an audiobook (book adaptation)?
Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-classictv@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Sound Invasions". Only one entry per household will be accepted.

Galaxy 4: Return to Devil's End Signed Print [order from Galaxy 4

Personally signed by RICHARD FRANKLIN and JOHN LEVENE with facsimile printed signatures of JON PERTWEE and NICHOLAS COURTNEY. This image taken during the RETURN TO DEVIL'S END video shoot in Aldbourne has never before been released. A4.
Return To Devil's End print (Credit: Galaxy 4)To be in with a chance to win one of the prints courtesy of Galaxy 4, simply answer the following question:
Which real-life village represented Devil's End during filming for The Daemons?
Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-galaxy4@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Fancy a dance, Brigadier?". Open to readers worldwide. Only one entry per household will be accepted.




FILTER: - BBC Audio - BBC Worldwide - Blu-ray/DVD - Competitions

Australian cinema outing for Twice Upon a Time

Tuesday, 14 November 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
This Christmas will see the Doctor Who Christmas Special shown in cinemas around Australia on Boxing Day:

Twice Upon A Time in Australian Cinemas (Credit: BBC Worldwide/Sharmill Films)BBC Worldwide Australia and New Zealand and Sharmill Films are giving Doctor Who fans a special gift this Christmas with an event screening of this year’s Christmas Special Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time. The epic finale to the Peter Capaldi era of Doctor Who will be coming to Australian cinemas on Boxing Day, featuring the return of Pearl Mackie and special guests Mark Gatiss (Sherlock) and David Bradley (Game of Thrones). The event will also introduce the Thirteenth Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker (Broadchurch), who is the first woman to take on the role.

The cinema event will also feature two exclusive bonus pieces, taking audiences behind the scenes to the filming of this holiday special and celebrating the tenures of Peter Capaldi as the Doctor and Steven Moffat as showrunner and lead writer.

Fans throughout Australia will be able to enjoy the event in select cinemas through Sharmill Films. Information on participating cinemas and purchasing tickets for Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time can be found here.

Louise Hill, Live Entertainment Executive, BBC Worldwide ANZ, said:
Doctor Who fans love watching the show on the big screen and with Peter Capaldi regenerating into the first female Doctor, this promises to be an iconic episode.

Jacinta Palmer, Marketing Manager of Sharmill Films, said:
There’s nothing quite like the big screen experience, and we’re thrilled to give fans the opportunity to bid farewell to the fantastic Peter Capaldi in cinemas nationally, and to usher in Jodie Whittaker’s hugely anticipated debut as the 13th Doctor.

As well as this great chance for fans to come together and watch Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time on the big screen, the episode will also be available on ABC iview immediately after the UK broadcast and will air on ABC at 7.30pm December 26th. Straight afterwards fans can join Rove and his guests for a special regeneration episode of WHOVIANS, 8.30pm ABC COMEDY.





FILTER: - Australia - BBC Worldwide - Cinema - Series Specials

Doctor Who Experience Seeks Summer Hosts

Wednesday, 7 June 2017 - Reported by Marcus
BBC Worldwide are looking for people to work at the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff this summer.

Fixed term Summer contracts are being offered to support the core team at the Experience during peak periods over the holiday period before the Experience closes its doors later this year.

Successful candidates will be expected to deliver excellent customer service and interact with guests at every opportunity. They will need to be able to answer visitor questions and deal with queries as well as assisting visitors who have special requirements, as well as assisting with large groups and school parties. You must be able to work on a rota basis including weekends, Bank Holidays and evenings.

The BBC is looking for people with a personable and friendly manner with the ability to work within a fast paced team environment. Fluency in a second language is useful as is enjoyment and knowledge of Doctor Who, including the classic series.

The closing date for applicants is 7 July 2017.

Full details can be found at BBC Career Search




FILTER: - BBC Worldwide - Doctor Who Experience

BBC Store to Close in November

Thursday, 25 May 2017 - Reported by Marcus
BBC Worldwide has announced that the BBC Store website and apps will be closing on 1st November 2017.

The BBC Store was launched in the UK in November 2015, giving users the ability to download programmes from the extensive BBC archive. It was the platform chosen to launch the animated version of The Power of the Daleks last autumn. However, the service has struggled to compete with the established streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime and BBC Worldwide have taken the decision to close the service.

Users who have purchased items from the site will be able to download and watch them until the site closes in November. The items will then become unavailable and users will be able to request a refund. From 1st June you will no longer be able to watch programmes you purchased from BBC Store on BBC iPlayer.

Refunds can be processed earlier than November, but you will lose the ability to access your programmes once the refund has been issued. Refunds will either be credited to the user's bank account or can be taken as Amazon Video vouchers. Those who opt for vouchers will receive 10% more than they are owed, as a goodwill gesture. For full details logon to the BBC Store website.

A statement on the BBC Store website says the BBC will continue to find new ways of making BBC archive content available.




FILTER: - BBC Worldwide

Doctor Who's Chinese expansion + Series 15 in pipeline

Thursday, 25 May 2017 - Reported by Marcus
BBC Worldwide have issued a press release indicating that the entire catalogue of Doctor Who related shows will be made available in China via Shanghai Media Group Pictures, which includes a first look at Doctor Who up to its fifteenth series!

BBC Worldwide/SMG Pictures Doctor Who agreement (25 May 2017) (Credit: BBC Worldwide)BBC Worldwide today announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with leading Chinese media company, Shanghai Media Group Pictures (SMG Pictures) that will see expansion of the Doctor Who brand in China.

The MOU was inked yesterday evening at a signing ceremony at BBC Worldwide’s Television Centre in London, with Mr Chen Sijie, GM of SMG Pictures and Jaclyn-Lee Joe, Chief Marketing Officer, BBC Worldwide. Madam Wang Jianjun, Director General President of Shanghai Media Group, Tim Davie, Chief Executive of BBC Worldwide and Kelvin Yau, GM, Greater China, BBC Worldwide witnessed the event.

The agreement will see BBC Worldwide working with SMG Pictures to increase the Doctor Who fan base in China, exploring future opportunities as well as exchanging expertise between the two teams.

The MOU comes on the back of a content deal that BBC Worldwide also signed with SMG Pictures yesterday evening. The deal will see the entire catalogue of Doctor Who including spin-offs, Torchwood and Class available on popular TV channels and on-demand platforms all over China.

The deal not only covers Showrunners Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat’s Series 1- 10, but also incoming Showrunner Chris Chibnall’s yet-to-film Series 11, well as a first look for Series 12-15.

Jaclyn-Lee Joe, Chief Marketing Officer, BBC Worldwide, said:
This marks the start of a longer and even more fruitful partnership with SMGP,” said . “Doctor Who already has a substantial fan base in China. Now, Chinese fans will be able to access the entire catalogue of Doctor Who and its spin-offs thanks to this agreement. The MOU is an affirmation of both parties’ commitment to build the Doctor Who brand and grow its fan base in China.
Chen Sijie, General Manager, SMG Pictures, said:
China is going through a time of tremendous growth and rapid market development. Everyone here is curious about popular cultures around the world. At the same time, they want to share their Chinese culture and values. Doctor Who, with its long television history and iconic place in popular culture, is a great representative of British pop culture. We hope that this partnership with BBC Worldwide will enable both parties, as well as Chinese and British fans to share and exchange ideas and learnings to grow the universe of Doctor Who in China.

BBC Worldwide and Oriental Pearl Group previously worked together on the theatrical release of Sherlock – The Abominable Bride as well as the upcoming launch of One Amazing Day a co-production with SMG Pictures. The entire catalogue of Top Gear, Top Gear UK and all the UK specials, as well as five series of Top Gear USA, six series of Top Gear Korea and both series of Top Gear China has also recently launched on BesTV, SMG’s linear television service. There has also been a CBeebies programming block on BesTV since 2014.
  • Shanghai Media Group Pictures is the film business unit of Oriental Pearl Group, held by Shanghai Media Group.
  • Doctor Who is a BBC Studios production for BBC One and a BBC AMERICA co-production.




FILTER: - BBC Worldwide

Doctor Who Series 10: Blu-ray/DVD releases

Friday, 5 May 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
BBC Worldwide have released details on the forthcoming DVD/Blu-ray sets for the current series of Doctor Who:

Doctor Who Series 10: Part 1 on DVD/Bluray (Credit: BBC Worldwide) Doctor Who Series 10: Part 2 on DVD/Bluray (Credit: BBC Worldwide)
Series 10 artcards (Credit: BBC Worldwide)
Series 10, Peter Capaldi’s final series as the Doctor, will be available to buy in two parts on DVD and Blu-ray, as well as a complete version releasing later this year. Both Parts 1 and 2 are now available for pre-order from Amazon, iTunes and HMV.

Released on the 29th May, Part 1 will cover episodes 1-6 of the Doctor’s latest adventures. The Doctor is keen to show his new friend, Bill Potts, the wonders of the universe, but loveable android Nardole reminds him of an oath he has taken to guard the contents of a mysterious vault.

Part 2, released on 17th July, features episodes 7-12 in which the Doctor’s travels bring him face-to-face with Ice Warriors and Cybermen. His adventures draw to a terrifying conclusion as a long lost face from the past returns.

Both Parts will also include six, exclusive art-cards, which are themed to each episode.

Bonus material for both Parts 1 and 2 will include an Inside Look feature for each of the twelve episodes. The episodic features will include behind the scenes footage; cast interviews and the inside story.


Full details of bonus material for the Complete Series DVD & BD will be announced in due course and will include the Binaural Sound edition of episode 4, Knock, Knock. Binaural Sound gives an immersive spatial sound experience for headphone listeners.




FILTER: - BBC Worldwide - Blu-ray/DVD - Merchandise - Peter Capaldi - Series 10/36

BBC Worldwide and Skype to launch Doctor Who Bot

Wednesday, 3 May 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Doctor Who Bot (Credit: BBC Worldwide / Skype)BBC Worldwide and Skype have today announced the launch of the first ever Doctor Who Bot. The Doctor will open the TARDIS doors and invite players to help him save the Universe in an exciting interactive digital experience titled The Saviour of Time. The brand new bot uses the latest technology to deliver a unique experience between the Doctor and the player.

In a world first, users get the thrilling opportunity to be the Doctor's companion as the bot immerses them in a specially-written six-part Doctor Who adventure. Players will experience the Doctor communicating with them directly and setting them challenges that can only be solved by the best companions.

Launching across multiple territories today, 3rd May, the bot includes challenges, logic puzzles, and quizzes, revolving around the search for a mysterious artefact known as the Key To Time. Scattered throughout time and space, users must locate all six segments of the Key and restore it, in order to save the Universe.

Following the launch today, a new Chapter will be released every Sunday at 6 PM (BST), shortly after episodes of Doctor Who series 10 air on BBC One, BBC AMERICA (USA), Space (Canada), ABC (Australia) and in other key international markets.

Jaclyn Lee-Joe, Chief Marketing Officer at BBC Worldwide said:
It’s hugely exciting to be launching a Doctor Who Bot on Skype - which gives us the opportunity to deliver a new form of digital story-telling with our cutting-edge brand. Through this new innovation we get to experience first-hand how bots can help deliver digital first content, and immerse audiences, old and new, in the Doctor Who universe like never before.

Steven Abrahams, Group Product Manager, Studios and Strategic Partnerships for Skype said:
Our goal is for everyone in the world to experience the best Skype has to offer and the Doctor Who bot with BBC Worldwide brings a range of new features and functionality. We’re excited to see the bot bring users and fans one step closer to meeting the iconic Doctor.

The bot will feature exclusive voice-over from Twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi, and is creatively developed by writing talent Joseph Lidster (The Sarah Jane Adventures, Torchwood).

The Doctor Who Bot builds upon existing relationships between BBC Worldwide and Skype, working together to uncover exciting new ways to reach audiences. In 2015 Skype launched the shareable, movie and TV clips initiative, Skype Mojis – featuring exhilarating short-form content from Top Gear, Doctor Who, and Sherlock.

To add the Doctor Who Bot manually, users need to search for “Doctor Who Bot” in the Skype Bot Directory, read the bot’s profile and terms, and then click “Add to Contacts”. To see new updates as they begin to roll out, users need to be on the latest Skype app for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, or Web.


The Doctor Who Bot will be available from the Skype Bot directory in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, India, Singapore, Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, Czech Republic, Estonia, Portugal, Russia, Mexico, and Brazil.


Click here to add the Doctor Who bot to Skype and start saving the universe! Visit the Skype blog for more information on the bot and click here for a step-to-step guide on how to use the bot.




FILTER: - BBC Worldwide

Australian cinema outing for The Pilot

Wednesday, 15 March 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The Pilot in Australian Cinemas (Credit: BBC Worldwide/Sharmill Films)BBC Worldwide ANZ and Sharmill Films have announced that they will be presenting a special event screening of the first episode of the new series, The Pilot over Easter Sunday and Monday.

The episode sees the introduction of new sidekick Bill, as played by Pearl Mackie: Louise Hill, Live Entertainment Executive for BBC Worldwide ANZ, said:
With Bill, the new companion, making her on-screen debut we’re happy to give audiences the chance to experience the new duo on the big-screen for the first time.
Natalie Miller AO, Sharmill Films Executive Director, added:
The introduction of a new companion is a time(lord)-honoured event in the Doctor Who universe, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with the BBC once again to present this very special cinema event to Australian fans.

Full details on the event can be found on the Sharmill Films website, including cinema venues and ticket information once available.


The Pilot will premiere in Australia on ABC iview immediately after the UK broadcast on 16th April, and will air simultaneously on ABC (in HD) and ABC ME at 7.40pm.







FILTER: - Australia - BBC Worldwide - Cinema - Premiere Events

US Cinema outing for series premiere

Thursday, 2 March 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Doctor Who in US Cinema (Credit: BBC Worldwide/Fathom Events)Fathom Events are planning to show this year's series premiere of Doctor Who in cinemas across the United States on the 17th and 19th April, including additional features:

Come together with fellow fans to celebrate the return of Doctor Who to the airwaves when the Doctor Who Season 10 Premiere returns to the big screen! Join Peter Capaldi (World War Z, In the Loop) as the Doctor, Matt Lucas (Bridesmaids, Alice in Wonderland) as Nardole, and Pearl Mackey (Svengali) as the new Companion, Bill, for two nights only including exclusive bonus features to be announced soon. The Doctor Who: Season 10 Premiere is written and executive produced by Steven Moffat, executive produced by Brian Minchin, produced by Peter Bennett, and directed by Lawrence Gough. The season was shot in Cardiff at BBC Wales Roath Lock Studios. Doctor Who is produced by BBC Studios Wales in co-production with BBC AMERICA.

Doctor Who Fans - We want you to have fun at these cinema events – but safety is paramount. Please note that attending in costume is fine, however masks, face-concealing make-up, fake weapons as well as any costumes that conceal what you are carrying, your natural body shape or face are strictly prohibited.

More details are expected shortly, with tickets going on sale via the Fathom website from the 10th March.




FILTER: - BBC America - BBC Worldwide - Cinema - Series 10/36