SciFi Channel picks up Doctor Who

[Mark Holtz]

From TV Shows on DVD:

Doctor Who - Reason for delay explained - Sci-Fi Channel picks up series

Two days ago we posted news that the February 14 release of Doctor Who had been pulled from the schedule, and today we know why; Sci-Fi Channel has picked up the series and will begin airing it later this year. BBC has moved the release date to July 4, 2006 to gain more publicity for the box set, and to allow Sci-Fi to air the series before they release it on DVD.

FULL ARTICLE HERE

From SciFi Wire:

SCI FI To Air New Doctor Who

SCI FI Channel announced Jan. 12 that it will air the first season of the BBC's hit SF series Doctor Who, starting in March. The 13 episodes, starring Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor and Billie Piper as Rose Tyler, will air as part of SCI FI Fridays at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

FULL ARTICLE HERE

From Outpost Gallifrey:

At long last... America will finally get the first season of the new Doctor Who television series, according to a press release on the official Doctor Who website. The US-based Sci-Fi Channel, owned by NBC Universal, has secured a deal to broadcast the 13 episodes in America starting in March, beginning on what Outpost Gallifrey believes is likely March 17 (the week after the season finales of the popular "Battlestar Galactica" and two "Stargate" shows), at 9:00pm Friday nights, and it will likely conclude at some point in mid-to-late June in time for Sci-Fi's summer premieres of those shows. The press release notes that Sci-Fi has an option for series two, likely to be acted upon after initial ratings come in

FULL ARTICLE HERE

[Stewart Vernon]

Definately good news. I will still probably buy the DVDs when they come out later, but will very much like having the opportunity to watch them first on Sci-Fi.

[UKintheUS]

Good News for US Doctor Who fans today, as the BBC have signed a huge deal with Sci-Fi Channel USA to screen Series 1 of the new Doctor Who. Starting in March at 9pm on the Sci Friday spot.

NBC/Universal have the option to buy series 2.

www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho

www.scifi.com/scifiwire

[Stewart Vernon]

I was just thinking... I wonder if this also means that it will be shown on the UniversalHD channel in widescreen (if the BBC program is in widescreen that is)?

[pjmrt]

WooHoooo!

If it starts in the Friday evening slot - does this mean SciFi is dropping one of the other Friday night regulars - Battlestar, Star Gate or Atlantis?

[Mark Holtz]

Because this relates to programming, and there is already a pre-existing thread, I have merged the two threads together. - Holtz

[Stewart Vernon]

Originally Posted by pjmrt

WooHoooo!

If it starts in the Friday evening slot - does this mean SciFi is dropping one of the other Friday night regulars - Battlestar, Star Gate or Atlantis?

I suspect that the timing of things will allow the current new seasons of the Friday night lineup to complete, then Doctor Who will start airing instead of repeats of the just finished seasons of the other programs.

[UKintheUS]

Originally Posted by HDMe

I was just thinking... I wonder if this also means that it will be shown on the UniversalHD channel in widescreen (if the BBC program is in widescreen that is)?

Under Royal Charter of 1995, All programming on the BBC filmed after 1998 was in 16:9 widescreen. (It is very rare to see a show recorded in 4:3 now in the UK 80% of the networks broadcast in widescreen). As of 2004 most shows started recording in HD PAL.

[invaliduser88]

Good news indeed. But, I'll still be watch series 2 via Internet this spring...

It they continue to run Stargates and Galactica with new episodes, they should finish this season in mid March.

[BobMurdoch]

Originally Posted by HDMe

I suspect that the timing of things will allow the current new seasons of the Friday night lineup to complete, then Doctor Who will start airing instead of repeats of the just finished seasons of the other programs.

It sounds like they ae going to go the HBO route..... Air 10-13 eps in a row, then put Dr. Who on for 10-13, and then go back to Atlantis.

Right now, most of us tune out from SciFi Friday when they are in rerun mode..... This will allow them to keep us coming back.....

[Stewart Vernon]

Originally Posted by BobMurdoch

It sounds like they ae going to go the HBO route..... Air 10-13 eps in a row, then put Dr. Who on for 10-13, and then go back to Atlantis.

Right now, most of us tune out from SciFi Friday when they are in rerun mode..... This will allow them to keep us coming back.....

I've been torn about how Sci-Fi does their shows like this. On the one hand, I like getting a bunch of new shows in a row without repeats... and in this case, one season ends and Doctor Who new episodes will begin. Cool!

BUT... as someone who has at times tuned into a series late in the game... I wonder if they are hurting new viewership by not showing reruns? I mean, if you haven't watched Galactica but hear about it... when would you be able to tune in and see the old episodes you missed?

This happened to me with USA's Dead Zone, which they basically never show reruns... I had missed the third season, so I bought 1-2 on DVD... I eventually bought Season 3 on DVD and was able to watch it all the week before they began season 4 last year... but noticed they never repeated any of Season 3 on USA.. so new viewers who saw commercials would never be able to try it out to like it!

[mhking]

Doctor Who is set to start when SG-1/Atlantis/BSG finish their runs.

[UKintheUS]

I wonder when they will start running ads for it? and add it to the Scifi website?

[Danny R]

BUT... as someone who has at times tuned into a series late in the game... I wonder if they are hurting new viewership by not showing reruns?

SciFi usually repeats the hell out of shows during the weekly daytime hours, so even though they won't show them during the primetime Friday slot, you would likely still be able to tune in and watch the whole season sometime else during the week during the off season.

[DTC mac]

A minor point...do not call it the first season simply because there was a hiatus of 15 years.

[Mark Holtz]

Blame it on the BBC policies.

[UKintheUS]

Originally Posted by DTC mac

A minor point...do not call it the first season simply because there was a hiatus of 15 years.

The die hard fans call it Season 36 or what ever it would be. But the BBC call it Season 1 of the re-launch.

[DTC mac]

Ah make that season 27, season 26 ended in 1989 with "Survival". The TV movie does not count ( for anything IMHO ) therefore the hiatus ended in 2005

[UKintheUS]

Actualy if you look at the BBC site it says the TV Movie did count.

[DTC mac]

Anything canadian produced NEVER counts, just ask Harlan Ellison about "The Starlost".

The TV movie was an abortive attempt to restart the series and rightly crashed and burned as it strayed too far from the roots and production values of the original.

[UKintheUS]

I agree with you but as the BBC had a hand in it and, as you see Sylvester McCoy (7th) change from his doctor to Paul McGann (8th).

Then in the UK Paul McGann did Doctor Who Radio Show, and Audio Cassettes. Paul would not return though to become Christopher Eccleston (9th) in the new series.

The BBC see this as official Doctor Who timeline

[Mark Holtz]

The movie does count. Paul McGann is the eight doctor.

[UKintheUS]

All i will say to the People who have not seen it, is just wait till Episode 6. It is buy far one of the best, but then the whole series was great.

[UKintheUS]

Originally Posted by DTC mac

Ah make that season 27, season 26 ended in 1989 with "Survival". The TV movie does not count ( for anything IMHO ) therefore the hiatus ended in 2005

All we need now is a Network to show Seasons 1-27 back to back a Doctor Who Channel

[UKintheUS]

Season Two. The Cybermen are coming!