TV
BBC scraps 'Doctor Who' for 'Eurovision'
Published Wednesday, May 2 2007, 16:27 BST | By Ben Rawson-Jones | 9 comments
Coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to begin at 8pm, meaning that the BBC would have to screen its regular Saturday night line-up much earlier to accommodate the annual event. In the end, the corporation opted to postpone Doctor Who rather than show it in a much earlier time slot as has been the case recently.
The Doctor Who episode, entitled ‘42’ and guest-starring Michelle Collins, will now be shown the following week on Saturday, May 19 at an unspecified time.
The BBC has faced much criticism from fans of Doctor Who for its erratic scheduling of the third season. Closely linked to a fixed 7pm Saturday evening time slot during the previous two years, the family drama has been bounced around the schedules in the last month, often being screened earlier and confounding many viewers in the process.
To read Cult Spy’s look at the recent scheduling of Doctor Who click here
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9 Comments
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jenny , lincolnshire, on May 25th, 2008
my 4 year old son took his mini tv camping with him and was heartbroken ! whatever happened to moving it over to bbc 2 as is done with lots of other longer running programs.. tennis , snooker. it is a hugely popular show and should be shown regularly at 7 pm each week , until the series finale !! i actually like the eurovision , but seriously ............ its not really that great is it to scrap dr who for !!!
my 4 year old son took his mini tv camping with him and was heartbroken ! whatever happened to moving it over to bbc 2 as is done with lots of other longer running programs.. tennis , snooker. it is a hugely popular show and should be shown regularly at 7 pm each week , until the series finale !! i actually like the eurovision , but seriously ............ its not really that great is it to scrap dr who for !!!
Malta, on May 13th, 2007
Why didn't BBC Prime air the Eurovision Song Contest this year? I miss Terry Wogan's commentary! What's happening?
Why didn't BBC Prime air the Eurovision Song Contest this year? I miss Terry Wogan's commentary! What's happening?
Tomvox, Llanelli, on May 3rd, 2007
If missing Dr Who for a week is the price to pay for regularly having it at 7pm then it's worth it. However I suspect the powers that be care more about Joseph than the good Doctor on Saturdays.
If missing Dr Who for a week is the price to pay for regularly having it at 7pm then it's worth it. However I suspect the powers that be care more about Joseph than the good Doctor on Saturdays.
Bad Timing, on May 3rd, 2007
It might be easy to cope... if not for the fact the episode had a certain special timing that would have meant a lot to scifi fans. Having an episode called '42' shown on Towel Day (May 12nd), the day after the anniversary of Douglas Adams's (ex-Dr Who script editor and writer, as well as Hitch Hiker's author) untimely departure from this world. The BBC should hang it's head in shame...
It might be easy to cope... if not for the fact the episode had a certain special timing that would have meant a lot to scifi fans. Having an episode called '42' shown on Towel Day (May 12nd), the day after the anniversary of Douglas Adams's (ex-Dr Who script editor and writer, as well as Hitch Hiker's author) untimely departure from this world. The BBC should hang it's head in shame...
Dawn, Essex, on May 3rd, 2007
Eurovision is a waste of air-time. We are never going to win and never submit worth-while bands. These Steps-Wannabes haven't got a chance in hell. Put Doctor Who on! It's only 40 minutes long and would be finished before 8pm anyway.
Eurovision is a waste of air-time. We are never going to win and never submit worth-while bands. These Steps-Wannabes haven't got a chance in hell. Put Doctor Who on! It's only 40 minutes long and would be finished before 8pm anyway.
Emma, Leeds, on May 2nd, 2007
Casualty is always cancelled for everything, why shouldn't Doctor Who be? Eurovision is only on once a year, I'm sure DW fans can cope.
Casualty is always cancelled for everything, why shouldn't Doctor Who be? Eurovision is only on once a year, I'm sure DW fans can cope.
Patrick, Dublin, on May 2nd, 2007
Too right. The ESC semis are on BBC three, meaning alot won't get to see it. The UK as part of the big four are automatically in the final, and as such should devote their Sat. Prime time to Eurovision. Well done BBC!
Too right. The ESC semis are on BBC three, meaning alot won't get to see it. The UK as part of the big four are automatically in the final, and as such should devote their Sat. Prime time to Eurovision. Well done BBC!
south shields tyne and wear, on May 2nd, 2007
wow dropping dr who for a tacky song contest that no one cares about and as if the uk could ever win this damn comp not a hope in hells chance considering the song and group they picked are bubble gum pop song and group .
wow dropping dr who for a tacky song contest that no one cares about and as if the uk could ever win this damn comp not a hope in hells chance considering the song and group they picked are bubble gum pop song and group .
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Casualty has been shown for so long i can't believe anyone actually watches it. I would understand Dr Who being moved for something as big and enjoyable for the family as Eurovision but could it not have been shown beforehand rather than getting cancelled altogether. They should schedule a specific time for it each week as its by far the best thing on tv for the family now.