It’s Christmas Time (Lord) All Over The World
While we were all recovering from post-Craig Ferguson euphoria yesterday, BBC America dropped an exciting bombshell on their Twitter feed:
BBC AMERICA To Premiere Doctor Who Special “A Christmas Carol” on Christmas Day
They’re also showing the Doctor Who Proms special the same day.
There is no official word about whether or not Space will do the same in Canada, though given its tendency over the past year to schedule airdates close to BBC America’s it will happen, if not on Christmas Day, then probably soon after.
Whatever Space does, this nonetheless still means that Doctor Who is being shown on the same day in multiple countries for the first time, ever.
This, quite simply, is huge news. Not just for Doctor Who fans who will have to wait mere hours after UK broadcast (due to the time difference) to watch it in America rather than weeks or even days. It’s huge news for BBC America and Space. The ratings for The End of Time on Space last year (which aired 24 hours after broadcast in the UK) were larger than other broadcasts of Who this year which have had 2-3 weeks delay from UK broadcast. Admittedly there are other mitigating factors, like Stanley Cup Hockey, but there is a case to be made that the hardcore fans will go… elsewhere to watch their episodes the longer the time lag. If Who airs on the same day in North America as in Britain, people will be willing to forego other means.
It’s also big news in that it signifies a significant shift in the thinking of the BBC about foreign broadcasters of Who, or, more to the point, the US. The continued success of the series on BBC America and in the US (spurred on by events like the Doctor Who night on Craig Ferguson) no doubt has the BBC more willing to explore arrangements like this, to treat the relationship with BBC America as a partnership rather than a simple re-broadcast relationship. (The fact that BBC America ponied up cash for the Series 6 premiere currently filming in Utah helped). Space in Canada will hopefully benefit through this as well. And maybe other countries will benefit in time.
Maybe next spring everyone can watch the same episode of Doctor Who on broadcast TV on Saturday nights all around the world. One can hope.
Posted by Graeme on Thursday, November 18 at 12:46 pm
6 Comments...
The official website content is still blocked though isn’t it?
Posted by Ryan on 11/18 at 06:18 PM
I would think so. But isn’t that a matter separate to Doctor Who on broadcast television?
Posted by Graeme on 11/18 at 06:20 PM
True but indicative of an overall attitude. Anyway good that it’s all out so quick.
I’ve learned something about the special that makes me happy but it’s probably considered a spoiler so I won’t say.
Posted by Ryan on 11/18 at 06:56 PM
Ryan: if you’d like to share your happy news, please email me at [email protected]. Thanks!
Posted by Aaron Keeler on 11/18 at 07:15 PM
I’d like to get excited but I have trouble with all the Christmas specials. They are usually all just too cutesy compared to the regular season episodes. Like a kid’s show in their presentation, pacing, and story line.
Also I assume Rory will be part of it. I can’t stand the character and was sorry he was resurrected at the end of the season. Wish he had stayed dead or whatever.
Posted by The Observer on 11/19 at 03:03 AM
Space just posted on Facebook that on Innerspace (11pm) there will be a sneak preview of “A Christmas Carol” & some time next week there will be an announcement of the airing of it, so stay tuned!
Posted by Ray Currie on 11/20 at 01:33 AM
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