Doctor Who

Doctor Who is a long-running British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC about a mysterious time-travelling adventurer known only as "The Doctor". It is also the title of a 1996 television movie featuring the same character. It is common to see the show's title abbreviated as Dr. Who, even by the BBC, although purists consider this form incorrect.

History

Doctor Who first appeared on BBC television at 5:15 p.m (GMT). on November 23 1963. The programme was born out of discussions and plans that had been going on for a year. Head of Drama, Sydney Newman was mainly responsible for developing it, with contributions by the Head of the Script Department (later Head of Serials) Donald Wilson, staff writer C. E. 'Bunny' Webber, writer Anthony Coburn, story editor David Whitaker and initial producer Verity Lambert. The series' distinctive and haunting title theme was composed by Ron Grainer and realised by Delia Derbyshire.

Related Topics:
GMT - November 23 - 1963 - Head of Drama - Sydney Newman - Donald Wilson - C. E. 'Bunny' Webber - Anthony Coburn - Story editor - David Whitaker - Producer - Verity Lambert - Ron Grainer - Delia Derbyshire

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The BBC drama department's Serials division produced the programme in-house for the following twenty-six seasons, on BBC One. Falling viewing figures, a decline in the public perception of the show and a less prominent transmission slot saw it suspended as an ongoing series in 1989 by Jonathan Powell, Controller of BBC One. While in-house production had ceased, the BBC was hopeful of finding an independent production company to re-launch the show. Philip Segal, a British expatriate who worked for Columbia Pictures' television arm in the United States, approached the BBC about such a venture.

Related Topics:
BBC One - 1989 - Jonathan Powell - Philip Segal - Expatriate - Columbia Pictures - United States

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Segal's negotiations eventually led to a television movie. The movie was broadcast on the Fox Network in 1996 as a co-production between Fox, Universal Pictures, the BBC, and BBC Worldwide. However, although the film was successful in the UK (with audited viewing figures of 9.1 million), it was less so in the United States and did not lead to a series. Although licensed media such as novels and audio plays provided new stories, the programme remained dormant until 2003. In September of that year, BBC Television announced the production of a new in-house series after several years of unsuccessful attempts by BBC Worldwide to find backing for a feature film version.

Related Topics:
Television movie - Fox Network - 1996 - Universal Pictures - BBC - BBC Worldwide - United States - Licensed

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The new series debuted with the episode Rose on BBC One on March 26 2005; Canada's CBC on April 5 2005; Australia's ABC on May 21 2005; and on Prime TV in New Zealand from July 7, 2005. No première date or broadcaster has been announced for the United States. The American Sci-Fi Channel was briefly said to be interested in acquiring the US rights, but withdrew after the network previewed several episodes.

Related Topics:
Rose - March 26 - 2005 - CBC - April 5 - ABC - May 21 - Prime TV - July 7 - Sci-Fi Channel

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On March 30, 2005, the BBC commissioned a second series and a Christmas special. On June 15, it was announced that a third series and a second Christmas special had been commissioned.

Related Topics:
March 30 - 2005 - June 15

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