'Torchwood' UK airdate best slot for viewers, says BBC

The BBC has responded to a complaint over the UK airdate of the new series of Torchwood.

US viewers will be able to watch the first episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day on Starz tonight, but UK viewers will have to wait an additional six days to see the same episode on BBC One.

The BBC has defended the controversial scheduling, stating that it has a US contract to fulfil that ultimately "created better value for licence fee payers".

The broadcaster also said that it has chosen the "best slot" for UK viewers, despite the fact that it has the option to transmit new episodes "from the next day onwards".

"We are pleased to announce that Torchwood will return to BBC One at 9pm on Thursday, 14 July," the BBC declared.

"Starz in the US have the contractual right to the World Premiere, that relates to the deal that was done and ultimately this has created better value for licence fee payers.

"Contractually, the broadcasters in other territories can transmit from the next day onwards but being as close to the transmission in the US is not the only factor in the scheduling decision. We have identified what we think is the best slot for BBC One viewers and have also ensured that it's within a week of transmission in the US."

Torchwood star Eve Myles previously said that she understands fan frustration at the show's UK airdate, saying: "We never, ever, ever wanted to take this show away from the original fans. What we always wanted to do with the show was give them a gift every year, something wonderful, a big, big present."

> Torchwood: Miracle Day: 'The New World' in pictures

Watch Digital Spy's interview with Torchwood producers Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner below: