NEWS HEADLINES

No Beatles on Chase DVD outside Europe

It has been revealed that the short clip of The Beatles, featured in episode one of The Chase, will only be included on the Region 2 DVD's and will be removed from the masters of the discs produced for regions outside Europe. The short clip of the group playing Ticket to Ride, was taken from the BBC's Top of the Pops programme, and features as part of the sequence where the TARDIS crew look at various events from history on the Time-Space Visualiser. The music is covered by a blanket agreement for use in the UK but this does not apply to the rest of the world. It may have been possible for the same masters to have been used for the international copies, as there is nothing in the BBC paperwork to indicate that the clip of the Beatles exists in the story. However the distributors have received so many queries about the inclusion of the clip that it became impossible to ignore its presence, so it has been removed from the edit.

ABC Australia, more series 5 news

ABC Television in Australia have announced that the new series of Doctor Who is to be made available on their online iView service, a couple of days before broadcast on television. Director of Television Kim Dalton said:iView is an additional way for Australian audiences to watch ABC TV's content generally after, but in this special case before, its television broadcast. We hope the lure of Doctor Who will provide incentive for more viewers to discover iView. Previous series of Doctor Who were available on the iview service, becoming its highest rated programme last year with some 378000 views between April and December.

ITC Award for Doctor Who

The Television and Radio Industries Club held their annual TRIC Awards yesterday at the Grosvenor House, London, during which Doctor Who won the award for "TV Drama Programme"; the show was up against ITV1's Doc Martin and Channel 4's Shameless. This is the first time that Doctor Who has won a TRIC award, though actress Billie Piper received the "New TV Talent" award in 2006.

Series 5 tour dates announced.

Doctor Who will begin a UK tour later this month, it has been announced.

The three-day jaunt will introduce Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith and his companion Karen Gillan to fans and will screen a regional premiere of episode one of the new series, titled 'The Eleventh Hour'.

Smith and Gillan will begin their tour on Monday, March 29 in Belfast before travelling to Inverness and Sutherland via a specially themed Who bus the following day. Salford and Northampton are scheduled for Wednesday, March 31.

"This is a great opportunity for the new Doctor and his companion to interface directly with the people who matter most to Doctor Who: the fans," said executive producer Piers Wenger.

"The chance to visit them in their hometowns will ensure that the Eleventh Doctor’s maiden voyage is an utterly magical one."

Following the tour, the BBC will also hold events at selected BBC Big Screens across the UK, beginning on April 1.

Series 5 filming photos.

Doctor Who News have photos from filming of episodes 7 and 11 of series five click here for link

Series 5 Launch in Australia/Canada Announced

It has been reported that ABC in Australia will be showing the new series of Doctor Who from April, though no day has been scheduled at present; Matthew Galvin, from ABC Audience and Consumer Affairs, said:"I am pleased to let you know the ABC will have the rights to screen series five of Doctor Who, starring Matt Smith, from April this year. Scheduling is yet to be finalised, however visit our guide regularly for updates. Meanwhile Canadian broadcaster Space have announced that they will be broadcasting the new series of Doctor Who from the 17th April, the same evening as BBC America for the United States. The show will go out at 9:00pm ET.

2 Entertain's future secured

BBC Worldwide have announced that they now fully own DVD distributor 2|entertain, the company closely associated with the release of Doctor Who DVDs over the last six years. The fate of the company has been uncertain since BBC Worldwide's partner Woolworth went into administration back in 2008.

Sarah Jane Adventures 4 and 5 confirmed

Doctor Who spinoff The Sarah Jane Adventures has been recommissioned for two new series, it has been announced.

The fourth and fifth series will each run to 12 episodes, airing in Autumn 2010 and Autumn 2011 respectively.

Show creator and executive producer Russell T Davies, who left as showrunner on Doctor Who earlier this year, will remain in the role on both new series of SJA.

Nikki Wilson, producer on series three, has been promoted to executive producer, while Torchwood's Brian Minchin has joined the team as a producer.

"We are thrilled to be making many more episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures," said CBBC controller Damian Kavanagh. "It has been a huge ratings and critical success on CBBC and we hope our viewers are going to be hooked on Sarah Jane's action-packed adventures for some time to come."

The fourth series, which begins filming in Cardiff later this month, sees regulars Tommy Knight (Luke), Daniel Anthony (Clyde) and Anjli Mohindra (Rani) return alongside Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane).

Adversaries in the new run of episodes include the Nightmare Man and the Shansheeth, while the gang will travel to an alien world for the first time and take a "dangerous journey back in history".

Series four writers include Phil Ford, Joseph Lidster, Rupert Laight, Gareth Roberts and Clayton Hickman.

Season 5 News : Episodes 4, 5 and 6 named

Stephen Moffatt has named episodes 4, 5 and 6 in this months Doctor Who Magazine, they are Time of the Angels, Flesh and Stone, episode six is called Vampires in Venice.

UK Doctor Who Series 5 launch party

A venue in the City of London will be playing host to a major, free-to-enter launch party to celebrate the arrival of 11th Doctor Matt Smith on Saturday 3 April.

Those familiar with previous parties at The Printworks in London may be dismayed to learn that venue has not only changed hands,*but changed its identity too. However, no fewer than three new, similarly equipped establishments in the City are in the running to stage this year's party, although final choice of venue will be decided by the number of people who would like to attend.

The party is open to anyone aged 18 years or over, and will run from 2:00pm-10:00pm. Early arrival is recommended to secure best viewing points for the largest screens. All major Doctor Who programming will be screened in high-definition, surround-sound, and a licensed bar and full food service will be available all day.

Entry is free, but YOU MUST HAVE A TICKET. Bear in mind also this will be Easter weekend, so check out any public transport issues before registering your request for tickets.

To request tickets, send an email to organiser Jeremy Bentham stating your name, your email address (for replies), the number of people in your party, and your likely arrival time.

N.B: All registration requests must be received by 10:00pm Sunday 14 March. If your application is successful, you will receive details of the confirmed venue, plus your individual or group tickets, during the week commencing 22 March.

BBC America confirms Doctor Who Series 5 start date

BBC America will show series 5 from 17 April 2010. More information when I get it.

Doctor Who Auction update

There was one of the biggest Doctor Who auctions ever, at Bonhams auction house in London on 24 February 2010

It featuried items from both the Classic Series and the New Series, which went for a whopping £253,158 on the day.

There was a good selection of costumes and props up for auction, including several Cybermen - one which sold for £9,600, two Daleks - one selling for £20,400 (Imperial Dalek Mk1) and the other selling for £15,600 (Imperial Dalek Mk2).

One of David Tennant's shirts sold for £1,260, and even four of his ties sold for £1,620! Torchwood didn't escape without fetching a bit of money too, because the black Torchwood Range Rover sold for £18,000.

You can see the complete list of the auction items can be seen on their website.

Carey Mulligan wins Bafta

Carey Mulligan, who played Sally Sparrow in the Series Three episode Blink, has won an award at this year's BAFTA's.

Mulligan picked up the award for Best Actress for her role in the film, 'An Education'.

New Doctor Who Trailer

A new BBC Trailer aired on 20 February 2010 on BBC1, which is believed to be in 3D as well as HD and 2D.

You can see the preview here

New Doctor Who Promotional image/New Trailer

A new trailer will be shown on 20 February 2010 and in cinemas in 3D. More information soon but here is a new promotional image for the show. Click on picture for enlarged copy.

New Doctor Who Magazine 419

February 2010 DWM out now - information on magazine here

Silurians return to Doctor Who

A tribe of Silurians will appear in the next series of Doctor Who.

The Sun reports that fans of the programme urged new showrunner Steven Moffat to bring back the lizard creatures.

The Silurians were first seen trying to spread a virus in 1970, but their last appearance was in 1984 when they built their own nuclear weapons.

Neve McIntosh, who has been cast as twin monsters, revealed that she is watching old episodes to try to understand the creatures.

Speaking about the new Silurians, she explained: "They're one of the Silurian tribes that have been undisturbed under the earth. And of course we get disturbed." If you are unfamiliar with the Silurians check out their page on the site here