Sci-Fi Channel in the US has picked up the second series of Doctor Who, including the Christmas special.

David Tennant's first outing as the Doctor in 'The Christmas Invasion' will launch the series with a two-hour premiere on September 29.

The first series averaged 1.5 million viewers for the channel earlier this year, increasing viewers in its premiere time period.

Exec producer Russell T Davies said: "We were delighted by the first season's success in the US, and can promise new thrills, new laughs, new heartbreak, and some terrifying new aliens in season two."