The Return of Doctor Mysterio: UK Blu-ray/DVD details

Wednesday, 21 December 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster

BBC Worldwide have released details on the forthcoming Blu-ray/DVD release of this year's Christmas Special, The Return of Doctor Mysterio, in the United Kingdom:

The Return of Doctor Mysterio (Blu-ray) (Credit: BBC Worldwide)

The Return of Doctor Mysterio (DVD) (Credit: BBC Worldwide)

This Christmas sees Peter Capaldi return as The Doctor, alongside Matt Lucas who returns as Nardole with a stellar cast including Charity Wakefield, and Justin Chatwin. Doctor Who: The Return of Doctor Mysterio, will be on DVD and Blu-ray from 23rd January 2017.

In this epic Christmas Special, The Doctor joins forces with a masked Superhero for a fantastic New York adventure.

With brain-swapping aliens poised to attack, the Doctor and Nardole link up with an investigative reporter and a mysterious figure known only as The Ghost.

The 60 minute Doctor Who Christmas Special is written by Steven Moffat, Executive Produced by Brian Minchin, Produced by Peter Bennett and Directed by Ed Bazalgette (Poldark).

Bonus material for the DVD & Blu-ray includes two features:

The Doctor: A New Kind of Hero
The Doctor has no superpowers, but he can stand proudly alongside the greatest superheroes ever known. In this special program, we’ll ask what it is about the Doctor that makes him so heroic.
Doctor Who Extra: The Return of Doctor Mysterio
Join stars Peter Capaldi and Matt Lucas, showrunner Steven Moffat, and many more for this very special inside look at the making of The Return of Doctor Mysterio.

The Return of Doctor Mysterio is available to pre-order on DVD or Blu-ray from our Amazon Shop, and there is still time to win a copy in our Predict The Ratings competition!

FILTER: - Blu-ray/DVD - Merchandise - Series Specials - UK

Germany News

Wednesday, 21 December 2016 - Reported by Pascal Salzmann

TV Movie German Blu-Ray Collector's Edition (Credit: http://wvg.com/ceemes/article/show/214836)

There have been a few recent developments on the German market that are of interest.

Pandastorm Pictures are going to release the TV Movie on DVD and Blu-Ray early 2017. There will be three different editions. First of all on 17th February there will be a limited "Collecter's Edition Mediabook", which will contain two DVD's and one Blu-Ray. The regular editions of the DVD (2 discs) and Blu-Ray (one disc) will be released on 31st March 2017 and feature a different cover. All three editions will contain the German and English language soundtracks, as well as all bonus features of the UK releases. Also included will be exclusive material for the German market. Details to follow.
German books publisher Cross Cult are going to release the novelisation of The Pirate Planet ("Der Piratenplanet") by James Goss on 27th February 2017. This will be Cross Cult's last confirmed Doctor Who novel.
One of Germany's biggest publishers, Bastei Lübbe, will take up the reign and release the novelisation of Remembrance of the Daleks ("Die Hand des Omega") on 21st July 2017. It will also be available in the audio book format.
Adding to their German editions of the popular Titan Doctor Who comic books, Panini Comics Germany just released the first volume of the IDW story Prisoners of Time ("Gefangene der Zeit"). There was also a limited to 200 copies variant cover, drawn by popular 80's/90's comic book artist John Ridgway, only available on the German Doctor Who convention TimeLash II last October. Volume 2 will be released on 28th February 2017.
Germany's only Doctor Who convention TimeLash will take place for a third time on 28th to 29th October 2017 in Kassel. Guests announced so far are Daphne Ashbrook (Grace Holloway) , Philip Hinchliffe (70's producer and writer) and Annette Badland (Margaret Slitheen). More guest announcements to follow on the official TimeLash Facebook page in the coming weeks. Tickets will be available in early January on the TimeLash Homepage.

FILTER: - Blu-ray/DVD - Comics - Conventions - Cross Cult - Germany - Pandastorm

Warlord Games announce miniatures for The Return of Doctor Mysterio

Tuesday, 20 December 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Warlord Games have announced that the next release in their range of miniature figures will be based upon characters from this year's Christmas special, The Return Of Doctor Mysterio:

The first new episode in twelve months sees The Doctor and the previously decapitated Nardole (Matt Lucas taking on the companion role, now thankfully with his head reattached) arrive in present day New York. They team up with reporter Lucy Fletcher and the mysterious superhero The Ghost to fight aliens with a fondness for brain-swapping.

These two beautifully sculpted pewter figures feature The Ghost as portrayed by Justin Chatwin, and Dr Sim, played by Aleksandar Jovanovic.

Warlord Games: The Return of Doctor Mysterio (cover) (Credit: Warlord Games)

Warlord Games: The Ghost (Credit: Warlord Games)

Warlord Games: Dr Sim (Credit: Warlord Games)

The set is available to pre-order from their website.

FILTER: - Games - Merchandise

Doctor Who Magazine - Issue 507

Tuesday, 20 December 2016 - Reported by Marcus

Two new issues of Doctor Who Magazine are on sale now

Doctor Who Magazine - Issue 507 (Credit: Panini)

Doctor Who Magazine 507 features new companion Nardole who returns in this year’s Christmas Special and for the 2017 series.

Matt Lucas chats to DWM in a rare and exclusive interview

Some people say, ‘I quite liked Nardole, but why does he need to come back?’ Well, there is an answer. I can’t tell you why he needs to come back, but I can tell you that he does need to come back. There’s a job that needs to be done, and it’s not a job that the Doctor can do on his own. Nardole is there to help him. It’ll all become clear.

You can read the full interview inside the new magazine...

ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE…

THE RETURN OF DOCTOR MYSTERIO
MEET THE GHOST

Justin Chatwin

ASK STEVEN

Steven Moffat

THE POWER OF THE DOCTOR
REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2016
THE FEAST OF STEVEN
PINBALL WIZARDS!
BE FORGOT

Mark Wright

Mike Collins

TIME TEAM

The Sarah Jane Adventures

The Death of the Doctor

A Christmas Carol

THE RUNAWAY BRIDE
THE POWER OF THE DALEKS

The Power of the Daleks

STOCKING FILLERS
COMING SOON
WOTCHA

PLUS! All the latest official news, Christmas competitions, and The Watcher’s Christmas Quiz.

Doctor Who Magazine 507 is on sale now, price £5.99, with a GIGANTIC FREE POSTER!

Doctor Who Magazine - 2017 Yearbook (Credit: Panini)

The Doctor Who Magazine Yearbook 2017 is a 100-page special edition, packed with all-new content.

There are exclusive interviews with the cast of the recent spin-off Class and the crew of the 2017 series of Doctor Who. The director and costume designer of Friend from the Future describe the making of the mini-episode, and there is an extensive section of tributes to Doctor Who luminaries who passed away during 2016.

Elsewhere there are round-ups up the year’s Doctor Who-related books, records and Big Finish releases, along with a report from November’s launch event for the new Power of the Daleks animation.

Editor Marcus Hearn says:

Even though there wasn’t a new television series in 2016, Doctor Who never stands still. This is our review of the year, and there’s been so much activity – from the BBC, its licensees and the fan community – that we’ve had a job squeezing it all in!

Doctor Who Magazine Special: The 2017 Yearbook is on sale now, price £5.99.

FILTER: - DWM - Steven Moffat

The Return of Doctor Mysterio - Preview

Monday, 19 December 2016 - Reported by Marcus

With less than one week to go until the world gets to see The Return of Doctor Mysterio, the BBC has released a wealth of promotional material, including interviews with the main cast.

This Christmas sees The Doctor join forces with a masked Superhero for an epic New York adventure. With brain-swapping aliens poised to attack, the Doctor and Nardole link up with an investigative reporter and a mysterious figure known only as The Ghost. Can the Doctor save Manhattan? And what will be revealed when we see behind the mask?

The 60 minute Doctor Who Christmas Special is written by Steven Moffat, Executive Produced by Brian Minchin, Produced by Peter Bennett and Directed by Ed Bazalgette (Poldark), it was shot in Cardiff at BBC Wales Roath Lock Studios.

Matt Lucas Set Tour

Peter Capaldi Question & Answer

The Return of Doctor Mysterio - Young Grant (LOGAN HOFFMAN), Doctor Who (PETER CAPALDI) (Credit: BBC)

What can audiences look forward to in this Christmas Special?
I think with the Doctor Who Christmas Special this year, audiences can look forward to a real Christmas treat. It’s nostalgic in the sense that it’s going to be a superhero story from the days when superheroes were ironic and witty and clever. It’s also set in New York and we have a fabulous American cast and some spectacular flying scenes – you’ll believe a man can fly. And we have The Doctor and Nardole and returning nasty monsters. Villains, good guys, bad guys, bit of snow, some children and maybe a hint of Santa Claus. Be there, watch it and have a wonderful Christmas!

What was your reaction to reading the Christmas scripts?
When I first read the script I thought “this is wonderful” because it captures the delightful, light comedy touch that existed in the early Superman movies with Christopher Reeves. Superheroes nowadays tend to be a grim lot but in those days there was optimism and a deliberate naivety that the character of Superman had which was very attractive. But also the way the scripts were written back then reminded me of Spencer Tracy or Katherine Hepburn kind of scripts – they were very witty, very knockabout, very American. This script is like that so I was very happy to read it and to go with this whole idea of the Doctor observing a superhero – it’s great fun. Doctor Who is an extraordinary programme – it allows you the opportunity to almost have a different kind of genre every week not just a different kind of plot so this is very much a light-hearted superhero romp.

Can you talk to us about the casting of Justin Chatwin as Grant/The Ghost?
Justin as The Ghost is amazing because he’s able to do both of those parts – The Ghost and the mild mannered Grant - and he’s got two different voices that he uses for them. I think comic lightness is a greatly undervalued thing – to be as funny as he is and light but with accurate delivery. He has great charm, a movie star quality which is lovely. The Ghost is a slightly flawed superhero and he’s spot on with all of that. He’s been great to have around.

Justin Chatwin Question & Answer

The Return of Doctor Mysterio - Grant (JUSTIN CHATWIN) (Credit: BBC)

How did the role come about?
I got a letter sent to my agent from Ed [Bazalgette] and Peter [Bennet] just saying that “we’re doing the Christmas Special of Doctor Who, here’s the script and here’s the deal and this is how long etc” - it’s how most scripts come about. I read it and I said “This is the best thing I’ve read all year”. It was really funny and really entertaining and when an actor gets writing that’s as good as that it’s really hard to say no. The calibre of acting is phenomenal - I’m a huge fan of Matt Lucas from Little Britain and I had seen Peter Capaldi’s work and he’s great. There’s a pace and specificity and a respect for writing, rehearsal and theatre that is more cared for here and it shows in the work.

How did you find working with Steven’s script?
As long as we stuck close to what Steven wrote, word-for-word, it was perfect because he wrote something that flowed so well. So if I missed a word, it probably wouldn’t work. This was the first thing I’ve ever been on where I didn’t have an opinion about a line – it was line-for-line perfect. Every single line motivated the next and every single word had a meaning behind it. It was good subtext, it was really good storytelling and when there’s good storytelling, actors are happy!

What appealed to you about the role of Grant/The Ghost?
I loved, loved, loved the old Batman, the old Superman, the old Spiderman because there was so much story and it was more about relationships. The original Superman was this nerd – a nerd who couldn’t get the girl so he created this alter ego in order to be the guy that he couldn’t be and that’s the same with Grant and The Ghost. I really felt it would be fun to play a character that was very much like what Christopher Reeves did with Superman combined with a little bit of what Michael Keaton did in Batman.

Charity Wakefield Question & Answer

The Return of Doctor Mysterio - Lucy Fletcher (CHARITY WAKEFIELD) (Credit: BBC)

Tell us about your character Lucy
I play Lucy Fletcher who in her own way is living a little bit of a double life in that she’s a very successful working mother, she’s a journalist and she’s also been left by her husband so she’s in a difficult position with a very young child. But she’s quite an interesting character in that she’s got lots of different facets - I think a little light turns on when she’s at work and she’s quite hard-nosed and that’s fun to play. In this episode she’s the eye for the audience in a way because even though she feels like she’s in control at the beginning she’s the one that’s the least in the know about what these other worlds and superpowers are. She’s discovering everything as the audience are discovering it so I felt it was my job to really be in the moment with that which is such a fun thing to do when the things that are happening are so extraordinary.

How did the role of Lucy come about?
This role felt like a very early Christmas gift to me because it’s one of those amazing opportunities you get as an actor where you’re just offered something seemingly out of the blue (or out of outer space in fact with this job). I read the script and just absolutely jumped at the chance – it was so fun, so full of energy and vitality and a great opportunity to play a character in Doctor Who that isn’t completely concealed by an alien outfit. It’s really fun to play an American.

What was your reaction when you first read the script?
When I first read the script I was really surprised that there was such a huge superhero theme. Firstly I didn’t even think you could do that on other TV shows – that you could connect yourself to those amazing huge films that have already been so popular that have their own world so that was really exciting. I never thought I’d have the opportunity to do that, and do it in a way that is really different in the world of Doctor Who. It was fascinating to read how Steven was bringing those two worlds together. It’s just so charming – the storyline of Grant and seeing him grow up and seeing the Doctor’s relationship with him – that’s one of the things that’s so special about Doctor Who is the way that he’s able to jump back and forth in time and he (the Doctor) has these different strands and different relationships with people and watching them grow and coming back to them later in life – it’s really lovely to see that as a character. It’s so exciting!

What can audiences look forward to in this Christmas Special?
In this Christmas Special, you’re going to see New York City, you’re going to see aliens, you’re going to see superheroes, and you’re going to see love, romance, rejection, fear, trepidation, excitement, the Doctor, Nardole and me.

Tomiwa Edun Question & Answer

Steven Moffat Question & Answer
What do you love about superhero movies?
I love the secret identity, I like the daft superpowers, I like scenes where the two identities being managed by our hero are clashing with each other – they did that beautifully in the Christopher Reeves Superman films and the Tobey Maguire Spiderman movies. That’s what’s interesting, that’s the cool part and you have a certain joyful levity in how you deal with the superpowers because they’re fundamentally silly – you can’t take them too seriously and I think the Superman movies do that so beautifully.

What can the audience look forward to?
I wanted to do a superhero story, I wanted to reflect some of the elements of the Clark Kent/Lois Lane/Superman love triangle that has always fascinated me. I just wanted to do a good superhero in Doctor Who

FILTER: - Publicity - Series Specials

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Xmas Files

Sunday, 18 December 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Candy Jar Books have announced a new, free-to-download festive adventure in their Lethbridge-Stewart range, The Feast of Evans by Simon A Forward.

Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar, said:

It’s always fun to do our seasonal stories, and this one is even more fun as it’s set concurrent with our Christmas special from last year. This story shows us what happened elsewhere while Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart was dealing with alien spheres in London in last year’s The Fright Before Christmas. And just because we’re nice we are also including that story free as well.

Talking about the story, range editor Andy Frankham-Allen said:

My original plans for Evans never really took, and so he was carted off from Edinburgh to the 2nd Battalion at Imber in England. However, his appearances this past year have proven to be quite popular with fans, so I revised my plans and set up his return for 2017. Simon’s Christmas story is a small part of that. It was also an opportunity to bring Samson to the fore, too, and teaming them together is perfect, after their initial not so auspicious meeting in The Grandfather Infestation.

Simon said:

When Andy asked me to do a Christmas story, I was stuck for inspiration. It was September, after all, and I refuse to feel Christmassy before December as a rule. But the idea of it featuring Evans appealed to me, as I'd revisited The Web Of Fear earlier in the year and he's such a great character. Of course, I imagined he'd been busted out of the army after that, and I think that's where the idea of a Christmas at home scenario arose. I sort of imagined it as a Christmas episode of his own domestic sitcom.

Lethbridge-Stewart pre-order customers and subscribers will also get a festive treat in a short story, Home for Christmas. The bonus is written by many of the Lethbridge-Stewart authors who previously wrote for the series in 2016, including John Peel, Andy Frankham-Allen, Sue Hampton, Adrian Sherlock, Sharon Bidwell and Tom Dexter.

Andy said:

I also had an idea to write a couple of scenes to show what our other regulars were up to while the Brigadier was enjoying Christmas with Sally. And after writing a couple of scenes, a new thought came to me. Wouldn’t it be fun to get as many of our authors involved as possible? I sent out an email, asking for those free to send me a scene, and many responded. Bit by bit the story became longer.”

The Feast of Evans by Simon A Forward will be available free on the Candy Jar website over Christmas, with Home for Christmas sent out to all pre-order customers and subscribers.

Series four of Lethbridge-Stewart will begin Spring 2017 with Night of the Intelligence by Andy Frankham-Allen, celebrating fifty years since the Great Intelligence first appeared in Doctor Who with 1967’s The Abominable Snowmen. It will see the return of another fan-favourite character from that debut story!

FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Lethbridge-Stewart - Merchandise - Online

Moments in Time - Welcome to The Highland Piper

Saturday, 17 December 2016 - Reported by Marcus

It was fifty years ago today, on Saturday 17th December 1966, that the Second Doctor met a young highland piper, James Robert McCrimmon, someone who would stay with him through the rest of his incarnation, becoming the longest serving companion in the history of the series.

Frazer Hines has, so far, appeared in 116 episodes of Doctor Who. Only four actors, the first four Doctors, have appeared in more episodes. However, when Frazer Hines joined the company in November 1966, he had been contracted for one story only and was only expecting to feature in four episodes.

He would play the young piper Jamie in The Highlanders, set in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden. During the production, the producers spotted something in the young actor and the chemistry he had with rest of the TARDIS crew, so after three weeks he was offered the chance to join the series as a regular character.

Scripts were hastily rewritten and a guide to the character of Jamie produced for potential writers.

He is a piper, and the character must be that of a simple but engaging Scot. Although his smile disarms opposition, he is on occasion a man of action who will defend his friends or principles fearlessly. He is cheerful, open, manly, flexible - more flexible in fact than Ben and Polly.

When either Ben or Polly are pulling his leg he reacts with a grin.... He always wears the kilt, his hair is longer and his shirt has a swashbuckling appearance.... He must assume the part of the young hero in each story. He must constantly be amazed and perplexed that he is wandering through space and time and is coming up against things, even commonplace things, which he could never have dreamt of in his day. The large things, planes computers etc, rock him back on his heels, he finds it hard to comprehend the all

He brings many of the attributes of the Highlander of this period with him, being courageous, impetuous, superstitious and romantic. His impetuosity often provokes difficult situations for the time travelers, but his direct approach will sometimes help solve problems as well as create them.

Frazer Hines was just 22 when he joined Doctor Who. However, even at that age, he was a veteran of film and television acting.

He had studied at the Corona Theatre School and before he became a teenager he had already appeared in a number of films. At 13 he appeared in Charlie Chaplin's A King in New York. He made his TV debut in 1957 playing Mickey Day in an episode of London Playhouse. He joined the series Huntingtower playing Napoleon alongside Roger Delgado a future Doctor Who director Graeme Harper.. Appearances followed in the war drama The Silver Sword, Queen's Champion and Run to Earth as well as a number of small roles in classics such as Z-Cars, Dr Finleys Casebook, Compact, Emergency-Ward 10, Coronation Street and King of the River.

He first worked with Patrick Troughton when he was cast in Smuggler’s Bay based on the J. Meade Falkner novel, Moonfleet. The two instantly hit it off and when Hines joined Doctor Who three years later it was apparent how well they worked together. Talking in 2009 Hines explained how he was told he would be continuing in the series after being offered a lift home by Producer Innes Lloyd.

He was a gentleman, a real gentleman of television. He was an ex-Navy man. I always remember him picking me up at location one day, saying ‘Come back with me, don’t go in the mini-bus’. He had a little VW beetle, we were driving back, he said ‘Well, Frazer, you’re settling in okay, how do you fancy joining the old TARDIS crew for a while, maybe another year?’

Frazer Hines would stay with Doctor Who for three series, leaving, along with Troughton in the summer of 1969.

I’d never have left, I was having so much fun, but I had an agent at the time who was saying ‘You must leave, you’ve done three years of television, you need to do films’, and Patrick’s wife at the time was saying (to him) ‘You’re a much better actor than children’s teatime television, you should be doing bigger things’, and I still say to this day, if he hadn’t had that woman nattering in his ear, they’d have had to shoot us and drag us kicking and screaming out of the TARDIS, we’d still be there now.

Sources: The Handbook: The Second Doctor: David J Howe, Mark Stammers, Stephen James Walker (Doctor Who Books, 1994)

FILTER: - Moments in Time - Second Doctor

New Comics out Next Week

Friday, 16 December 2016 - Reported by Marcus

Next Wednesday sees the release of Titan's comic featuring the Ninth Doctor as well as the latest in the Torchwood series by John and Carole Barrowman.

The previously announced Eleventh Doctor #2.15 has been delayed and will also be published next week.

Ninth Doctor #8

Writer: Cavan Scott
Artist: Cris Bolson
Colourist: Colourist
A: Pasquale Qualano & Marcio Menys - B: Will Brooks Photo- C: Question No. 6

UNIT agent Tara Mishra is on the verge of whistleblowing the existence of aliens to the British public, after rampaging daikaiju have been spotted in the English Channel! Can the Doctor, Rose, and Jack prevent her from changing the course of the 20th century by revealing the truth... and do they even want to? Plus! A new companion aboard the TARDIS -- and a new thread in the unravelling weave of Jack's missing memories!

Ninth Doctor #8 Cover_A_Pasquale_Qualano (Credit: Titan)

Ninth Doctor #8 Cover_B_Will_Brooks (Credit: Titan)

Ninth Doctor #8 Cover_C_Question_No_6 (Credit: Titan)

Ninth Doctor #8 Preview_1 (Credit: Titan)

Ninth Doctor #8 Preview_2 (Credit: Titan)

Ninth Doctor #8 Preview_3 (Credit: Titan)

Torchwood #4

Writer: Carole E. Barrowman, John Barrowman
Artist: Antonio Fuso
Cover A: Kelly Yates Cover B: Will Brooks Photo Cover C: Pasquale Qualano & Marcio Menys

The Navigators need Jack’s help to battle an alien threat from his past – but he’s an ocean away and several bullet holes from being able to help them out! Gwen finds herself torn between two worlds, as Jack’s quest threatens everything she holds dear – including the very core of Torchwood itself! And the Committee want the Ice Maiden and its crew – and its advanced, alien technology – for their own purposes, and they’ll kill anyone who gets in their way! The first arc of the ongoing Torchwood saga ends – but what a cliffhanger! We’re back with more shocks and surprises – and the full creative team – for #5!

Torchwood #4 Cover_A_Kelly_Yates (Credit: Titan)

Torchwood #4 Cover_B_Will_Brooks (Credit: Titan)

Torchwood #4 Cover_C_Pasquale_Qulano_Marcio_Menys (Credit: Titan)

All comics are released on Wednesday 21st December.

FILTER: - Comics - Ninth Doctor - Torchwood

Christmas with the Doctor (Predict the Ratings)

Thursday, 15 December 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Christmas Day: a time of festive presents, festive food, and festive telly!

For us, of course, the placement of the annual Doctor Who Christmas Special in the schedules is always eagerly anticipated, with this year's episode slotted into the late afternoon/early evening slot of 5:45pm. Previous years have seen it as early as 5:15pm last year to 7:30pm in 2013, but this year it is (hopefully!) bolstered by two of the BBC's other highest rated programmes, The Great British Bake-Off beforehand and Strictly Come Dancing afterwards.

In terms of direct competition, ITV is serving up its traditional slice of country life in Emmerdale, and Sky One is premiering its heavily trailed The Last Dragonslayer; on other channels BBC2 has the 1976 Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show (5:40pm), Channel 4 has We're Going On A Bear Hunt and the film Home Alone (from 6pm), Channel 5 has Singin' in the Rain and then a repeat of Britain's Favourite Christmas Songs (from 6:15pm).

As of today, the odds of Doctor Who making the top spot sits at 22/1; unsurprisingly, Mrs Brown's Boys leads the way, being it has been the most popular show three out of the last four years (only beaten into second place last year by the finale of Downton Abbey!).

               BBC1                                       ITV     
 3:00pm   16/1 The Queen                             40/1 The Queen
 3:10pm    9/1 Frozen                                46/1 The Lion King
 4:45pm    5/1 The Great Christmas Bake Off
 4:55pm                                                   ITV News
 5:15pm                                              66/1 You've Been Framed
 5:45pm   22/1 Doctor Who                            60/1 Emmerdale
 6:45pm    2/1 Strictly Come Dancing                 50/1 For the Love of Dogs
 7:45pm                                                   ITV News
 8:00pm    6/1 Call the Midwife                      25/1 Coronation Street
 9:00pm                                              25/1 Maigret's Dead Man
 9:30pm    8/1 Eastenders
10:30pm    2/1 Mrs Brown's Boys
11:00pm  100/1 The Best of Tracey Ullman's Show     100/1 Love Actually

Predict the Ratings Competition

It's also time for our 'legendary' Predict the Ratings competition, which this year will give readers the chance to win The Return of Doctor Mysterio on DVD/Bluray upon its release, plus a copy of the BBC Book The Whoniverse by Justin Richards and George Mann.

As always, the aim is to predict the final consolidated viewing figure for The Return of Doctor Mysterio as reported by BARB, to the nearest 10,000 viewers (i.e. two decimal places). In addition, we'd like you to predict Doctor Who's position in the weekly chart (which will be used in the case of a tie-break).

The ratings and positions for 2014 and 2015 are presented here for comparison - recent years have seen a decline in television viewing over Christmas Day, with none of the programmes achieving the heady heights of several years ago.

To enter our competition, please send the following details to comp-ratings@doctorwhonews.net:

Your name and preferred email address
Your country of entry (full details will be requested only if you are the winner)
Your guess at the final viewing figure to the nearest 10,000 (eg.9.99m)
Your guess at the final position in the chart (eg. 1st) - this will only be used in the event of a tie-break

Terms and Conditions:

The competition closes at 08:30 GMT, 26th December 2016.
Only one entry will be accepted per person.
The competition is open worldwide.
BARB final figures are expected in early 2016; we will contact the winner once they have been published.

Superheroes around the World unite...

Of course it isn't just the United Kingdom that will enjoy the Doctor's latest adventure this festive period, as the episode will be broadcast in a number of countries within a couple of days of the British premiere:

The Return of Doctor Mysterio: known first broadcast details
United Kingdom	BBC One	Sun 25 Dec 2016	5:45pm GMT
Middle East	BBC First	Sun 25 Dec 2016	8:45pm AST	(5:45pm GMT) simulcast!
Australia (online)	ABC iView	Mon 26 Dec 2016	5:45am AEDT	(6:45pm GMT)
Brazil	Syfy	Sun 25 Dec 2016	10:30pm BRST	(12:30am GMT)
United States of America	BBC America	Sun 25 Dec 2016	9:00pm EST	(2:00am GMT)
Canada	SPACE	Sun 25 Dec 2016	9:00pm EST	(2:00am GMT)
Latin America	Syfy	Sun 25 Dec 2016	10:00pm CST	(04:00am GMT)
New Zealand	Prime	Mon 26 Dec 2016	7:30pm NZDT	(6:30am GMT)
Australia	ABC	Mon 26 Dec 2016	7:30pm AEDT	(8:30am GMT) also on ABC ME
Finland	YLE TV2	Mon 26 Dec 2016	7:00pm EET	(5:00pm GMT)
South Africa	BBC First	Wed 27 Dec 2016	8:00pm SAST	(6:00pm GMT)
United Kingdom	BBC Two	Fri 30 Dec 2016	2:30am GMT	(British Sign Language)

As well as television, The Return of Doctor Mysterio will also get big screen outings in Australia (26th December), New Zealand (26th December), Denmark (26th and 28th December), Canada (26th and 28th December), and the United States (27th and 29th December).

Various channels will celebrate the series during the next couple of weeks. BBC America kick off a mammoth repeat run dominating the channel from Tuesday 20th December, showing the majority of episodes since David Tennant took over the role in the lead up to the Christmas Special (and also including the premiere broadcast of The Power of the Daleks in colour on Christmas Day!). On Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, BBC Prime in Latin America will show the two series starring Peter Capaldi, whilst Prime in New Zealand repeat the most recent series. On Christmas Day, SPACE in Canada will show preceeding Christmas adventures. BBC HD in Poland doesn't have Mysterio scheduled for the immediate future, but will be running through the Doctor's regular adventures from Rose on the 23rd December through to the New Year.

Readers can always keep up with the ongoing adventures of the Doctor (and pals!) via This Week in Doctor Who.

FILTER: - Betting/Odds - Broadcasting - Cinema - Competitions - International Broadcasting - Ratings - Series Specials - UK

Class comes to BBC One

Thursday, 15 December 2016 - Reported by Marcus

The BBC has confirmed thet the Doctor Who spin-off series will be shown on BBC One this January

The first episode can be seen on Monday 9th January at 10.45pm

Class has previously only been available in the UK via the BBC Three channel, which, since the 16th February this year, has only been available online.

No firm details are available for the number of viewers who have watched the series on BBC Three, but no episode has managed to make the Weekly BARB Top 50 list of downloaded programs, meaning less than around 60,000 watched the episode in the two days after release. It is believed the audience for each episode was between 20,000 and 60,000 viewers.

The BBC will be hoping for a much bigger audience for the BBC One showing, where the late night timeslot has an average of just over 2 million viewers.

The series is due to be shown on BBC America this spring

FILTER: - Broadcasting - Class

Previous 10 Stories