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March 15th, 2019 588 comments

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Doctor Who The Collection Season 18 Blu-ray

Available to order from www.zoom.co.uk

Also available to order from www.amazon.co.uk

Available to order from www.amazon.com #ad

BBC Studios announces Tom Baker’s final series as the next instalment in the DOCTOR WHO: THE COLLECTION Blu-ray range

BBC Studios continues to offer Doctor Who fans the opportunity to build their own home archive on Blu-ray. Following the sell-out success of Tom Baker’s debut season, his seventh and final series will be released on 25th February as Doctor Who – The Collection: Season 18.

Tom Baker’s final year saw the programme undergo radical changes in front of the cameras and behind the scenes.

Producer John Nathan-Turner revamped the series with new writers, new directors, a new title sequence and theme arrangement, glossy production standards and – throughout the course of the season – a brand new regular cast. Over seven classic adventures the Doctor and his companions encountered the Foamasi, Meglos, the Marshmen, vampires and Tharils, building to a final deadly showdown between the Doctor and his arch nemesis the Master.

As a special bonus this set also includes the 1981 K9 & Company Christmas pilot episode, plus hours of brand new material.

Starring alongside Tom Baker are Lalla Ward as Romana, Matthew Waterhouse as Adric, Sarah Sutton as Nyssa, Janet Fielding as Tegan, Anthony Ainley as the Master, Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah-Jane Smith and John Leeson as K9.

Special Features exclusive to this set include:

  • New Making-Of documentary and updated special effects for Logopolis
  • Revealing new 2019 commentaries moderated by Matthew Sweet (Tom Baker on The Leisure Hive, Lalla Ward & Rachel Davies on State Of Decay)
  • Surround sound mix for Warriors’ Gate
  • Rare behind-the-scenes footage from The Leisure Hive, Full Circle and Logopolis
  • Eight more editions of Behind The Sofa
  • Brand new documentaries The Writers Room and Weekend With Waterhouse
  • New interview with K9 & Company’s Ian Sears
  • Another dip into the Panopticon convention archives with Tom Baker
  • HD photo galleries plus scripts, production files and rare documentation provided as PDFs
  • The eight-disc box set also includes hours of extensive special features previously released on DVD.

All material has been remastered for Blu-ray by Peter Crocker and Mark Ayres. Lee Binding has provided stunning packaging and new series writer/content consultant Pete McTighe has written another extensive booklet. Russell Minton is Executive Producer.

Blu-ray trivia: when filming took place for Logopolis (1980), Tom Baker’s last adventure, the intention was to shoot at the University of Manchester’s Jodrell Bank Observatory. Instead, production took place at Crowsley Park with the team using model shots.

For the brand new Blu-ray, almost 40 years later, BBC Studios received permission to film at Jodrell Bank with a drone. Offered as an alternative viewing option, fans will now be able to experience the finished product just as it was originally intended.

DOCTOR WHO: THE COLLECTION – SEASON 18 includes the following stories from 1980/81:

  • The Leisure Hive (four episodes)
  • Meglos (four episodes)
  • Full Circle (four episodes)
  • State Of Decay (four episodes); Warriors’ Gate (four episodes)
  • The Keeper Of Traken (four episodes)
  • Logopolis (four episodes)
  • plus K9 & Company – A Girl’s Best Friend.

RRP: £56.16


Categorised under: Blu-ray, DVD

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588 comments

  • MaxPunk57

    March 16th, 2019 - 2:18pm

    Got Mine! Looks beautiful next to the Season 19 Boxset! wonder what the next ones gonna be.

    I hope they re-release Season 12, Still kicking myself that I couldn’t get it.

    Reply
    • Daniel

      March 16th, 2019 - 6:10pm

      Mine has been dispached from Amazon, hopefully I’ll get it on Monday

    • Sean Bassett

      March 16th, 2019 - 6:47pm

      My guess would be Season 10, because it’s a Jon Pertwee season so you have the household name as with Tom Baker and Peter Davison, it features what has retroactively become the 10th anniversary story in The Three Doctors and it features both a Master and Dalek story. Plus we already know a Season 10 set is in the works.

    • Joey

      March 16th, 2019 - 6:51pm

      I genuinely wonder if they will re release sets eventually. The demand is obviously there

    • Robert Sienicki

      March 17th, 2019 - 8:01am

      Rumours are about Season 10 now, and season 26 later this year. But somebody on twitter said that he heard rumours about “The Trial of the Time Lord” season.

      Whatever they decide it will be great. I just hope they will keep the tree seasons per year schedule.

    • Sean Bassett

      March 17th, 2019 - 9:15am

      Honestly, I think it will be a while before we get the Trial of a Time Lord season. It’s already available as a box set on DVD, so I think they’ll keep it back until later in the schedule.

    • James

      March 17th, 2019 - 3:27pm

      Season 22 is also rumoured to be possibly released this year. Not heard any rumours about 23 though.

  • Anonymous

    March 16th, 2019 - 9:02am

    Let’s just hope they’ve managed a fault free set this time!

    Reply
  • Blue Box Jackie

    March 15th, 2019 - 8:27pm

    There’s 3 of the Peter Davidson one in cex Leeds for £30 all look pretty much new

    Reply
  • When The Doctor Was Me

    March 15th, 2019 - 5:57pm

    Mines arrived from zoom. But no one was in so they left it on my doorstep, it was raining and it’s now been soaked through and damaged the actual box set it self. Do I take this up with zoom or Royal mail ?

    Reply
    • booboo

      March 15th, 2019 - 6:00pm

      zoom, its always the retailers responsibility to deliver in good order, its then for zoom to take it up with RM

    • Anonymous

      March 15th, 2019 - 6:00pm

      Royal mail were responsible for the delivery, they left it out so it’s their responsibility to correct it.

    • booboo

      March 15th, 2019 - 6:01pm

      responsibility lies with the retailer

    • When The Doctor Was Me

      March 15th, 2019 - 6:01pm

      Thanks booboo. I’ll drop them an email now.

    • Colin

      March 15th, 2019 - 7:10pm

      Wow that’s so bad …postal service is bonkers these days !!

  • bts

    March 15th, 2019 - 10:19am

    my boxset just come through the post, will definitely be ordering from zoom again. The boxset art is beautiful and fans of toms final season will love it especially the back of the box. going to start watching now.

    Reply
    • James

      March 15th, 2019 - 11:12am

      Yep. Mine has arrived too. Artwork is the same stunning work that we’ve come to expect. Can’t wait to dive in to these episodes and bonus features again.
      Anyone else think the next set will be announced on Monday?

    • Gordon

      March 15th, 2019 - 12:24pm

      So did mine. Personally I think the next set won’t be out till after Macra Terror. Most of the hype next week should be around that. With season 18 out next week and being promoted and the last hype around macra it might muddy the waters too much having 3 different releases promoted at the same time

    • Exdalek

      March 15th, 2019 - 2:31pm

      Mine’s coming from Amazon (Prime) so I will probably get it…..eventually. Zoom next time definitely. On the plus side I got a promotion on Amazon of £6 for adding money to my account, so my season 18 cost £33.99.

    • Rob W

      March 16th, 2019 - 4:51pm

      Amazon have despatched my copy too. I also got a discount of £4 and with any luck the boxset will arrive tomorrow, Amazon delivery permitting…

  • The Jamie

    March 14th, 2019 - 5:31pm

    Just got an email saying its been despatched so hopefully it comes tomorrow

    Reply
    • booboo

      March 14th, 2019 - 5:47pm

      yes us to (Zoom)

    • James

      March 14th, 2019 - 7:15pm

      Ditto. This is why I love Zoom.

    • Gordon

      March 14th, 2019 - 7:20pm

      Same.

    • The Jamie

      March 14th, 2019 - 7:44pm

      They sure live up to their name

    • David

      March 14th, 2019 - 8:02pm

      Mine too! Could it be as quick as tomorrow? Thought it might take a few days ?

    • Lege

      March 14th, 2019 - 8:41pm

      Blast my next pre order is for sure coming from zoom rather than amazon.

    • Lee

      March 15th, 2019 - 10:08am

      I’m also going to be ordering more from Zoom from now on. Amazon is becoming more annoying to me as the days go by. The last package I received from them (nothing Doctor Who related), arrived in such a state, it looked like someone had been playing football with it.

      Plus, their excessive push towards prime and getting Alexa devices in every house (neither of which I care for), is just putting me off buying from them in future. Last time I tried the prime trial was for the fast deliveries. I ordered a few items, and not one item turned up within 48 hours, so it was a complete waste of time for me.

    • Dean Wells

      March 15th, 2019 - 4:33pm

      Got mine today from the ever reliable Zoom.
      Reminds me of the days of Play.com from whom I used to pre order most of my classic DVDs as they were released, and they came on the Saturday before release date regular as clockwork.
      Zoom are definitely topping Amazon by a long shot currently.

    • Lee

      March 15th, 2019 - 9:20pm

      God I miss Play.com! That’s also where I got most of my classic DVDs from.

    • Lege

      March 16th, 2019 - 6:58am

      Just cancelled with amazon after they said it wouldn’t arrive until next week the 25th. Zoom have my custom from now haha

  • David

    March 13th, 2019 - 7:58pm

    Is it normal to not get a confirmation email from Zoom even though the money’s been taken?

    Reply
  • David

    March 12th, 2019 - 9:44pm

    My money has been taken today but I haven’t had an email from Zoom to say if my order is at the warehouse like other people, should I be worried or do you think they just haven’t sent emails to everyone?

    Reply
  • Gordon

    March 12th, 2019 - 6:17pm

    https://youtu.be/5BRbe8CWE5o

    A look at how they created some of the vfx for Logopolis

    Reply
  • Dean Wells

    March 11th, 2019 - 11:22am

    My Zoom order charged and sent to warehouse too.
    I’d swear that’s earlier than any pre order I’ve had with them yet.

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      March 11th, 2019 - 12:00pm

      For me it’s the same as usual

  • James

    March 11th, 2019 - 10:23am

    Zoom has sent my boxset to their warehouse now so hopefully it will arrive a few days early on Friday, as the last two sets did.

    Reply
    • Gordon

      March 11th, 2019 - 10:24am

      Might even get dispatched today

    • James

      March 11th, 2019 - 11:14am

      Ah I wish but it’s unlikely. With Season 12 and 19, Zoom took payment one week before the release date and shipped it to the warehouse on the same date but both times it wasn’t despatched until the Thursday and it was delivered the Friday both times so I am expecting the same turnaround with this set.
      Then on Saturday I will get Macra Terror dvd at the BFI screening, and my bluray of Macra should turn up the following Friday hopefully.

  • Steve W

    March 7th, 2019 - 8:09am

    Hmmm… Amazon now say it’s “unavailable” (does that mean they’ve sold out of pre-orders?)

    Reply
    • Lee

      March 7th, 2019 - 1:01pm

      I just checked a minute ago and it’s back on sale now for £42.99. That happened a few times with Series 19 too. Occasionally it comes up as unavailable for a day or two, then goes back on sale. Not sure if they only allocate a certain amount of pre-orders at a time. It seems confusing as to how it world’s on Amazon sometimes. Series 19 is now £55 to buy directly from Amazon. :/ Their pricing is all over the place sometimes!

    • Lee

      March 7th, 2019 - 1:03pm

      *works not world’s (Flipping fingers!)

  • Neill Stringer

    March 7th, 2019 - 12:41am

    Is the Season 18 set out on 11th March or the 18th March, Amazon has not changed its date but Zoom is saying 18th.

    My Amazon trace is saying its arriving on Monday yet says currently unavailable. Does this mean that all copies have been pre ordered?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Gordon

      March 7th, 2019 - 1:07am

      It’s the 18th. Check your emails. Amazon was sending out emails about the date change about 2 hours ago

    • Neill Stringer

      March 7th, 2019 - 2:23am

      I saw that just after I posted

    • Kevin225

      March 7th, 2019 - 6:51am

      This is now becoming a farce. Not at all professional that a release date can’t be met. It shouldn’t be moving 4 days (less when you factor in shipping) from the (already revised) date. DWM even has a review of it in the latest issue!

    • Robert Sienicki

      March 7th, 2019 - 7:08am

      Just got my email too, this is getting really annoying. I feel like the last four classic Blu-Rays were delayed. I was hoping for a very Doctory march, and both will arrive in April for me. BBC should reconsider their scheduling.

    • philip shaw

      March 7th, 2019 - 8:09am

      Just got a message off Amazon, now 25th March with Macra terror 1st April !

    • Gordon

      March 7th, 2019 - 10:00am

      The release date was changed last week. Blame amazon for not changing it till 4 days before. The release dates are 18th March for season 18 and 25th March for Macra Terror. They should be delivered to you on those dates not in April. If they are giving you dates delivery dates for April order it from somewhere else like zoom which has 10 percent off if you use the code SIGNUP10 and will in most cases deliver it to you a couple of days before release

    • Robert Sienicki

      March 7th, 2019 - 11:51am

      I live in Poland, so the delivery is always longer, cause it have to drive all the way through Germany. 😉

    • Anonymous

      March 7th, 2019 - 12:27pm

      Don’t think it’s fair to blame amazon , they’re only the sellers . Again its the incompetence of the producers of the boxsets or distribution. I know release dates do get change but this seems to be the on going thing with these sets. Wonder if the discs will be completely mistake free this time?

    • Gordon

      March 7th, 2019 - 12:43pm

      But amazon should have changed it last week when all the other retailers changed the date. It’s not the producers of the box set fault if amazon waited till 4 days before release to change the date when the date was changed and retailers were notified a week ago

  • James

    March 6th, 2019 - 11:45am

    Just received the latest DWM through the door. There is no mention of the next blu-ray set so we may have to wait a while longer guys

    Reply
    • Gordon

      March 6th, 2019 - 12:31pm

      That’s a shame but kind of understandable now I think about. They want to spend a lot of time on macra animation. They probably don’t want to have a little of the shine taken off the macra release by an anoucment of the next set. Chris chapman who worked on it says it’s definenitly coming out on the 18th so I guess we will find out in the next couple of weeks

    • James

      March 6th, 2019 - 12:41pm

      I suppose I’m lucky at least that I’ll get Macra and Season 18 the same weekend then. People attending The Macra screening at the BFI get a copy of the dvd on that day.

  • Anonymous

    March 6th, 2019 - 11:37am

    Anybody know if series 12 will eventually be given a re release

    Reply
    • Lee

      March 6th, 2019 - 1:00pm

      It’s looking highly unlikely now. There’s been no mention of any of these blu-ray boxsets being re-released. A few people have emailed the BBC and been told they were only meant to be one off releases. If you still want to pick it up, and have a multi-region player, then my advice would be to pick up the US set, as that’s still available. The shipping fees would still be preferable to paying the ridiculous scalper prices.

  • Andrew

    February 28th, 2019 - 11:21pm

    From what I saw on Twitter it would seem there working on for the classic series series 8 not 10

    Reply
    • Gordon

      March 1st, 2019 - 2:28am

      Katy manning was filming in wales for green death extras back in November. The next release which many anticipate being season 10 is more or less ready to go. I seen chris chapmans tweet about filming in auldborne yesterday. Season 8 is probably a bit away maybe 2020. They are banking interviews and documentaries. Chris chapman has documentaries for 5 upcoming seasons in various stages of production

    • Rob W

      March 1st, 2019 - 9:27am

      It will be very interesting to see how well episodes from season 8 can be improved or upscaled given the majority of the original 625 line recordings were wiped.

  • Ollie

    February 28th, 2019 - 9:29pm

    Gordon,

    Do you know if there are any plans for a BBC blu-ray release of all four seasons of Blake 7? Thinking of getting the complete DVD set but I may hold off if they’re bringing em out in HD like they did Hitchhikers and Quatermass.

    Many thanks.

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      March 1st, 2019 - 12:08am

      I hope they also continue the doctor who steelbooks

    • Gordon

      March 1st, 2019 - 2:14am

      They didn’t bother to remaster them when the complete set was rereleased last year so I’d be doubtful of that

    • Ollie

      March 1st, 2019 - 6:27am

      The new DVD set of Blake 7 is exactly the same as the previous releases, right? No new extra features remastering?

    • Rob W

      March 1st, 2019 - 9:36am

      The boxset has the following extras:-

      SERIES 1 – 2 x outtakes, Missing Scene, 1 x Robot, 2 x Flat Feet and a Blooper, Blue Peter Feature, Trailer for S2, 3 x audio comms , Character intros & Episode synopses.

      SERIES 2 – Multi Coloured Swapshop, Jude Hudson’s costume Collection, Mat’s Models, Introducing Orace, The Mutoids, Ballad of Travis II, Saturday Superstore, Scene Today, Trailer for S3, 3 x audio comms, Small World & episode synopses.

      SERIES 3 – Stuart’s Stunts, Sheelagh’s make up memories, Introducing Tarrant, Introducing Dayna, Trailer for S4, S3 Clean Titles, Blake’s Bloops, Nationwide 1979, Casting Tarrant, 3 x audio comms.

      SERIES 4 – Introducing Soolin, Introducing Slave, Blake’s Bloops, Liz Parker on Pubble Mill, Blue Peter 1983, Ken Ledsham’s B7 Designs, Special Sounds, Forever Avon, S4 Clean Titles, S4 studio recordings, Terry Nations on Series 4 & 2 x audio comms.

    • Gordon

      March 1st, 2019 - 10:14am

      It’s exactly the same. The picture quality is terrible compared with the classic who range

    • Ollie

      March 1st, 2019 - 2:13pm

      It doesn’t sound like something worth forking out £40-50 for then; or even for the original individual box set releases. Cheers Gordon.

  • Gordon

    February 26th, 2019 - 4:40pm

    Zoom now has s18 listed as the 18th march

    Reply
    • Rob W

      February 26th, 2019 - 7:02pm

      Zavvi and Base.com have updated the release date. Amazon have yet to…

    • Dr. 1963

      February 26th, 2019 - 7:45pm

      Oh no, history repeating itself…again.

    • Ollie

      February 27th, 2019 - 6:36am

      Isn’t that the same day as The Macra Terror?

    • Rob W

      February 27th, 2019 - 8:52am

      That’s right, maybe the releasea date for that will be delayed too?

    • Gordon

      February 27th, 2019 - 9:06am

      Zoom already changed that to 25th a couple of weeks back

    • Andrew

      March 2nd, 2019 - 9:33pm

      I’ve emailed Amazon today and the answer came back to expect delivery on the 11th March. Not sure it’ll happen as everyone else has updated the release date

    • Richard

      March 5th, 2019 - 2:38pm

      Amazon now show as unavailable, luckily I pre ordered yesterday.

    • Lee

      March 6th, 2019 - 11:12pm

      Just got the email from Amazon a moment ago saying it’s been pushed back to the 25th.
      A little slow on the updated info this time Amazon! 😀

  • Daniel

    February 25th, 2019 - 8:35pm

    I expect the title release for the next Season set will be on the day of release for the Season 18 set

    Reply
    • Gordon

      February 25th, 2019 - 9:03pm

      I’m thinking next week to coincide with the next dwm

  • Gordon

    February 24th, 2019 - 11:13pm

    Listened to this weeks edition of radio free skaro. Chris chapman who produces some of the documentaries Is on it and talks about his contribution to the dvds and blu rays. Well worth a listen. Couple of points he made

    1. He thinks the next set is going to be announced in the next couple of weeks with a trailer. It was recorded last week so it could be this week.

    2. He has 2 documentaries for the next set. 1 is done and the other he is just finishing off.

    3. There is a sequel to looking for Peter (the original was on the sensitises dvd). It’s a currently unnamed director this time and Toby hadoke is involved and will be in the next set

    4. His slate is currently 2 for the next set. 3 for the one after it and 2 for one after that. All of that should be out by the end of this year ish. They are also at the planning stage of the next 3 sets after those

    Reply
    • James

      February 25th, 2019 - 12:54pm

      Fingers crossed the 3 sets coming this year are Season’s 10, 22 & 26.

  • Dr. 1963

    February 20th, 2019 - 10:30pm

    Hey guys, does anyone know when HMV will continue their online store as currently, is offline, thanks.

    Reply
    • Gordon

      February 20th, 2019 - 10:56pm

      They said they hope to have the online store up and running again in the next few weeks but that was a few weeks ago.

    • Dr. 1963

      February 20th, 2019 - 11:04pm

      Cheers Gordon.

    • Rob W

      February 21st, 2019 - 9:06am

      HMV Glasgow Braehead, Fopp Glasgow Byres/Fopp Bristol, Bluewater and HMV Meadowhall have re-opened as the new owner has renegotiated rents and terms of the leases.There are plans to try to re-open some of the other stores including their flagship London store.

  • Gordon

    February 19th, 2019 - 8:49pm

    https://mobile.twitter.com/Aaroonio/status/1097861852858601473

    Seems like hmv are cancelling and refunding those that have preordered or paid for season 18

    Reply
    • Rob W

      February 19th, 2019 - 9:17pm

      £38.99 with free standard delivery from Zoom. £1.25 1st class delivery. 10 percent off your first order if you sign up to their newsletter…

    • Gordon

      February 19th, 2019 - 10:05pm

      Use SIGNUP10 and it works for 10 percent off and you can use it as many times as you want

  • Anonymous

    February 17th, 2019 - 7:07pm

    It might be a stupid question. But can you buy portable blu ray players?

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      February 17th, 2019 - 8:44pm

      Yes, they are fairly expensive though. If you have an HD laptop an external Blu Ray drive may be a more economic option.

    • TigerMan1995

      February 18th, 2019 - 12:04am

      There’s a cheaper Wal-Mart version of an expensive one for 120 something US. NTSC only I think.

    • Rob W

      February 19th, 2019 - 11:43am

      I’d snap one up ASAP given “Samsung will no longer introduce new Blu-ray or 4K Blu-ray player models in the US market.”.

  • the 14th doctor

    February 17th, 2019 - 6:23pm

    dvd’s i would like to see:

    2019:
    the wheel in space (animated)
    season 10 blu-ray
    season 25 blu-ray
    web of fear SE (with episode 3 animated)

    2020:
    the faceless ones (animated)
    the crusade (animated)
    season 17 blu-ray

    2021:
    the highlanders (animated)
    evil of the daleks (animated)

    2022:
    the daleks master plan (animated)
    season 14 blu-ray

    Reply
    • Gordon

      February 17th, 2019 - 9:38pm

      Personally I think animated version of web 3 will be an exclusive to a season 5 blu ray set if they don’t find the ep first.

    • Anonymous

      February 17th, 2019 - 9:55pm

      They must animate the underwater menace too their DVD release of it was criminal

    • Gordon

      February 17th, 2019 - 11:21pm

      I don’t think that would be a big seller in all honesty. It’s got a horrendous reputation. The recon was admittedly by all involved was terrible but in terms of restoration of the 2 episodes and extras it was a good release. The only real change would be the animation of 1 and 4. The only extra they could add would be the behind the sofa and I could see them holding that off until the s4 box set. The animation wouldn’t make the story any less naff than it already is. There are 16 stories that haven’t had a stand alone release that should be tackled before web and underwater menace as those already have dvd releases whereas the likes of macra etc have never had 1

    • James

      February 18th, 2019 - 7:16pm

      Nice choices but my list would differ slightly.
      I think the releases for this year are going to be Season 10, 22 and 26 on Bluray. And I recall people mentioning that the next animation is likely to be Fury From The Deep.
      If that is true, my list for 2020 would be:

      Season 17 bluray
      Season 20 bluray
      Season 23 bluray
      The Abominable Snowman animation
      The Evil of the Daleks animation

      2021
      Season 15 bluray
      Season 21 bluray
      Season 25 bluray
      Marco Polo animation
      The Crusade animation

      2022
      Season 16 bluray
      Season 24 bluray
      Season 11 bluray
      The Dalek’s Master Plan animation
      The Faceless Ones animation

      2023
      Season 14 bluray (Tom Baker era complete)
      Season 9 bluray
      A B&W season bluray

      I think 2023 is the earliest we’ll get a black and white season on bluray (unless they decide to animate a story and not release it individually first which could happen but I think it is unlikely as they will be able to get more money for a serial if they release it individually a year or two before the relevant bluray is released).

    • Anonymous

      February 18th, 2019 - 8:26pm

      Animations are incredibly time consuming and expensive. There’s no way they are jumping up to two big releases a year and I especially don’t see them taking on three of the most complex projects one after another (Marco Polo The Crusade and The Daleks’ Mastef Plan).

    • Anonymous

      February 18th, 2019 - 8:53pm

      Am I the only one in the whole world who actually doesn’t want to see any more fully missing episodes animated

      The off air recordings with the narration are the best way to enjoy the episodes

    • Gordon

      February 19th, 2019 - 3:05pm

      I don’t think it has to be 1 or the other. There is room for both. They both have their advantages. Recons can incorporate the original surviving footage and use original telesnap stills where available. Animation can be far more visual and easier to watch. Some animations I’ve really liked and some I haven’t. I’d welcome a recon on the Macra Terror if it is included. Same can be said for recons. Do I think every story will be animated for the season box sets? No seeing with the rate of 3-4 box sets a year they will run out of time to animate everything by time the seasons get to that point in 2023-2025. I can see it being a mix of animations and recons in all honesty unless they get more animation teams working on stories. 1 release a year isn’t going to get them all animated in time. I can see possibly having recons on the blu ray sets covering the non animated stories as stop gaps for stories not yet animated yet and you can replace it with the animated version when it gets released or I could see empty gaps being left for the animated stories that are not yet released. The bond films did similar with the 50th anniversary set leaving a gap for skyfall

  • Duncan Parsons

    February 17th, 2019 - 3:22pm

    I’ve read that the other releases this year will be seasons 10,17 & 26. I’m hoping this is true.

    Reply
    • David

      February 17th, 2019 - 5:10pm

      Same! Al brilliant seasons but I’d love to see what kind of special features get put on to season 26 with certain features being ported over to the relevant sets, and if anything from the wilderness years will be included (like pre-movie and anything that isn’t already on the TV movie Blu Ray) or if that is included too

    • Anonymous

      February 17th, 2019 - 5:44pm

      They have confirmed they only have two sets in development at the moment beyond Season 18.

      They are banking a lot of interviews at the moment because the cast and crew won’t be around forever. A lot of the reports about interviews are meaningless because they are just covering themselves for releases in the far future.

    • Gordon

      February 17th, 2019 - 6:20pm

      10 and 26 has been rumoured for ages and is pretty much an open secret at this point. I will actually be shocked if it isn’t season 10 next in all honesty. Not so certain about season 17. It’s true that lalla has recorded extras for city of death but it could just be that they are banking her extras before she heads to Hong Kong.

  • Danny

    February 17th, 2019 - 2:51pm

    Does anyone know the reason for the release being delayed to the 11/03/2019? Is there a problem with the release?

    Reply
    • Rob W

      February 17th, 2019 - 4:47pm

      Amazon say only that the release date was changed by the supplier so it’s anyones’ guess…

  • Anon

    February 17th, 2019 - 10:36am

    Apart from a pretty box and a few new extras that I’ll never watch more than once, I really can’t see much point in upgrading.

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      February 17th, 2019 - 11:32am

      The audio quality on these has been superb. I wouodn’t be paying the extreme prices some upsellers are charging but if you can get it forma reasonable price it is definitely worth it.

    • Gordon

      February 17th, 2019 - 1:49pm

      Far Better encodes. For sequences that Film elements that exists they can be scanned in full hd. Uncompressed picture quality unlike the compressed dvds and the audio is in actual hd unlike the dvds which is limited to ac3. About 20 hours of new extras per release so it’s hardly just a few new extras. When you take what you are getting with new restorations the large amount of new extras and the amazing presentation If you get it at normal price it’s an absolute steal. Especially when you compare how little work went into the s11 Blu Ray in comparison.

    • Rob W

      February 17th, 2019 - 2:47pm

      My reason to by is that these sets Look to Bec the last chance to buy the stories in the best picture and sound quality. The sets are good value and are collectors items too…

    • Anon

      February 17th, 2019 - 2:52pm

      I did buy the season 19 set because everyone has been saying how good these sets are and I have to say I wasn’t that impressed. For all people say how good the picture quality is I didn’t see that much improvement. And I’m not that bothered about watching people in the studio redoing takes and fluffing lines.

    • Gordon

      February 17th, 2019 - 4:51pm

      Even the gorgeous looking film elements that was scanned in hd? I get that some thought that it looked a bit grainy but that’s natural film grain. The only way you would get rid of that would be dnr it and then people would look like waxwork which if you look at the original predator blu ray is a no no. The studio stuff is locked at 625 vertical lines. There is only so far that restoration techniques can take that footage. Most of the improvements that the blu ray has are technical improvements that the dvd format does not posess. It’s not going to look night and day better but I still think it’s visable enough. It’s going to be as close to the original bbc masters that you are going to get. Far better job than the recent red dwarf and hitchikers guide blus. You also also have far more space to give more extras. Not just space for more studio stuff but more space to breath for the making ofs and other documentaries. Before they would have roughly a 20-30 Minute limit for a making of in some instances. For the blu ray they don’t really have that issue anymore. They can make it as long as they feel the documentary needs. Case in point Chris chapman posted on twitter earlier this week that he is currently editing a documentary that is aiming for a 70 min runtime. There simply wouldn’t be space on that the original dvd. The blu rays also give them the opportunity to do making ofs for story’s that didn’t have them and gives them the opoprtunity to do documentaries that they simply didn’t have the budget or time to do. For the k9 and company disc on the blu ray they traveled to America and filmed in la. The budget for the dvd would never have allowed that. In 2012 chris chapman did an documentary called living with Levine and he wanted to do more like it however with the dvd range nearing its end he never was able to but with the blu range we are now getting a sort of sequel to that with weekend with Waterhouse and I’m certain he has others in mind too. If you are happy with your dvd it’s ok but these are the last definite versions for classic doctor who in physical media. There probably won’t be another go around

    • Anonymous

      February 17th, 2019 - 5:37pm

      Who on earth was promotng it on the picture quality? There’s a handful of scenes that could be genuinely improved (you can easily spot them, it is quite a difference in those scenes especially given the rest is upscaled SD as direct comparison) but that was not the selling point of these sets.

  • Gordon

    February 11th, 2019 - 9:21pm

    Full list of extras for those that haven’t seen the list yet

    Disc 1

    The Leisure Hive

    Four episodes

    Existing Special Features

    ■ Audio commentary with Lalla Ward, Christopher H Bidmead and Lovett Bickford
    ■ A New Beginning – making-of documentary
    ■ From Avalon to Argolis
    ■ Synthesizing Starfields
    ■ Leisure Wear
    ■ Blue Peter extract
    ■ BBC1 continuity
    ■ Optional 5.1 surround sound mix
    ■ Isolated music score
    ■ Coming Soon: Meglos

    New Special Features

    ■ Audio commentary with Tom Baker and Matthew Sweet
    ■ Behind the Sofa: The Leisure Hive
    ■ Studio footage
    ■ Clean opening and closing titles
    ■ Photo gallery in HD
    ■ Production subtitles
    PDFs
    ■ Production paperwork
    ■ Scripts
    ■ Radio Times cuttings

    Disc 2

    Meglos

    Four episodes

    Existing Special Features

    ■ Audio commentary with Lalla Ward, Christopher Owen, John Flanagan, Paddy Kingsland and Peter Howell
    ■ Meglos Men
    ■ The Scene Sync Story
    ■ Jacqueline Hill: A Life in Pictures
    ■ BBC News report
    ■ BBC1 continuity
    ■ Isolated music score
    ■ Coming Soon: The E-Space Trilogy

    New Special Features

    ■ Behind the Sofa: Meglos
    ■ Photo gallery in HD
    ■ Production subtitles
    PDFs
    ■ Production paperwork
    ■ Scripts
    ■ Radio Times cuttings

    Disc 3

    Full Circle

    Four episodes

    Existing Special Features

    ■ Audio commentary with Matthew Waterhouse, Andrew Smith and Christopher H Bidmead
    ■ All Aboard the Starliner – making-of documentary
    ■ K9 in E-Space
    ■ E-Space – Fact or Fiction?
    ■ Swap Shop extract
    ■ BBC News report
    ■ Nationwide extract
    ■ BBC1 continuity
    ■ Isolated music score
    ■ Revised production subtitles

    New Special Features

    ■ Behind the Sofa: Full Circle
    ■ Studio footage (mute)
    ■ A Weekend with Waterhouse
    ■ Photo gallery in HD
    PDFs
    ■ Production paperwork
    ■ Scripts
    ■ Radio Times cuttings

    Disc 4

    State of Decay

    Four episodes

    Existing Special Features

    ■ Audio commentary with Matthew Waterhouse, Terrance Dicks and Peter Moffatt
    ■ The Vampire Lovers – making-of documentary
    ■ Leaves of Blood
    ■ The Blood Show
    ■ The Frayling Reading
    ■ BBC News report
    ■ BBC1 continuity
    ■ Film trims (mute)
    ■ Isolated music score
    ■ Revised production subtitles

    New Special Features

    ■ Audio commentary with Lalla Ward, Rachel Davies and Matthew Sweet
    ■ Behind the Sofa: State of Decay
    ■ Pickwick Talking Book: State of Decay
    ■ Photo gallery in HD
    PDFs
    ■ Production paperwork
    ■ Scripts
    ■ Radio Times cuttings

    Disc 5

    Warriors’ Gate

    Four episodes

    Existing Special Features

    ■ Audio commentary with Lalla Ward, John Leeson, Christopher H Bidmead, Paul Joyce and Mat Irvine
    ■ The Dreaming – making-of documentary
    ■ Extended and deleted scenes
    ■ Lalla’s Wardrobe
    ■ The Axe Man
    ■ Prime Computer adverts
    ■ BBC1 continuity
    ■ Isolated music score
    ■ Revised production subtitles

    New Special Features

    ■ Behind the Sofa: Warriors’ Gate
    ■ Swap Shop extract (featuring Mat Irvine)
    ■ Optional 5.1 surround sound mix
    ■ Photo gallery in HD
    PDFs
    ■ Production paperwork
    ■ Scripts
    ■ Radio Times cuttings

    Disc 6

    The Keeper of Traken

    Four episodes

    Existing Special Features

    ■ Audio commentary with Matthew Waterhouse, Sarah Sutton, Anthony Ainley and Jonny Byrne
    ■ Being Nice to Each Other – making-of documentary
    ■ The Return of the Master
    ■ Swap Shop extract
    ■ BBC1 continuity
    ■ Isolated music score
    ■ Revised production subtitles

    New Special Features

    ■ Behind the Sofa: The Keeper of Traken
    ■ Part Four commentary overruns
    ■ Photo gallery in HD
    PDFs
    ■ Production paperwork
    ■ Scripts
    ■ Radio Times cuttings

    Disc 7

    Logopolis

    Four episodes

    Existing Special Features

    ■ Audio commentary with Tom
    Baker, Janet Fielding and Christopher H Bidmead
    ■ A New Body at Last
    ■ Tomorrow’s Times: The Fourth Doctor
    ■ Stripped for Action: The Fourth Doctor
    ■ Doctor Who Stories: Tom Baker
    ■ Entropy Explained
    ■ The Five Faces of Doctor Who trailer
    ■ BBC1 continuity
    ■ Isolated music score
    ■ Revised production subtitles

    New Special Features

    ■ Hanging on a Thread – making-of documentary
    ■ Optional updated special effects
    ■ Behind the Sofa: Logopolis
    ■ Studio footage
    ■ Audio restoration
    ■ Photo gallery in HD
    PDFs
    ■ Production paperwork
    ■ Scripts
    ■ Radio Times cuttings

    Disc 8

    K9 and Company/ bonus material

    Existing Special Features

    ■ Audio commentary with Elisabeth Sladen, John Leeson, Linda Polan and Eric Saward
    ■ The K9 Files – making-of documentary
    ■ A Dog’s Tale
    ■ Pebble Mill at One extract
    ■ BBC 1 continuity and trailers
    ■ Revised production subtitles

    New Special Features

    ■ Behind the Sofa: K9 and Company
    ■ Brendan and Company – Ian Sears interview
    ■ The Writers’ Room
    ■ The Fourth Doctor Revisited
    ■ 50th Anniversary Archive – Matthew Waterhouse interview from 2013
    ■ The Panopticon Archive – Tom Baker interview from 1993
    ■ Commercial Break – New Zealand ads
    ■ ‘Happy Christmas’ trailer
    ■ Galactic Glitter Tours trailer for the Season 18 Blu-ray box set
    ■ Studio clocks
    ■ Photo gallery in HD
    PDFs
    ■ Production paperwork
    ■ Script
    ■ Radio Times cuttings
    ■ Doctor Who Annual 1982
    ■ K9 Annual 1983
    ■ The Adventures of K9 (four books)
    ■ BBC Enterprises sales documents

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    February 11th, 2019 - 8:10pm

    Feared this would happen, can see all the coming releases of the boxsets eventually going this way, the glue on my series one tardis box has dried out and has completely fallen a part, bit annoying!

    Reply
  • anonimus

    February 11th, 2019 - 4:14pm

    The glue of my season 19 has melted and as a result has detached the plastic part (tearing part of the head of peter davison)…

    Reply
    • elthomas

      February 11th, 2019 - 6:15pm

      Welcome to my life. My boxset has very little finger-space on the right side of the discs and as I was trying to reach in there to turn the disc over… There goes the discs, and the face 🙁

    • Gordon

      February 11th, 2019 - 9:13pm

      Can’t say either of those things have happened to me. Both my sets are still as good as new

    • MIKSK89

      February 11th, 2019 - 9:19pm

      Same, though i tend to keep the case itself at a good enough angle to allow the discs tonbe accessible, without damaging the artwork or tye box

    • Lee

      February 12th, 2019 - 1:47am

      Same thing has happened to my Season 12 boxset unfortunately. The glue has dried out on mine too. And I keep them all at normal room temps. Not too hot or cold. Not sure what type of glue they’re using, but can’t see it lasting long. Haven’t had any other boxsets where the glue has just stopped sticking like that. I still have DVD boxsets from early 2000 and those haven’t had the trays come unstuck. A little disappointing for limited edition packaging. :/
      Hopefully it won’t happen to the others too.

    • Exdalek

      February 14th, 2019 - 11:21pm

      My sets are fine, but perhaps that’s because they are in a room with my books that sees no daylight and is the (overly) warmest room in the house.

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