The DVD box set containing the complete first series of K9 will be released in Australia on September 29th.

The series, created by Bob Baker and Paul Tams, is currently showing on the TEN network in Australia and in the UK on the Disney XD channel. The series is due to be broadcast in the UK on Five this autumn.

There are no details yet of a release date outside Australia.

624 mins

K9 follows the adventures of three teenagers - Starkey, a young rebel genius whos lost his parents in mysterious circumstances, not to mention his own way in society, Jorjie, a very capable fighting dynamo in the deceptively cute frame of a privileged-schoolgirl from the upper echelons of society, and Darius, a sneaky and cunning delivery boy who knows the city like the back of his light-fingered little hand and, of course, K9, a cybernetic wonder a robotic dog built of mysterious alien technology and pulled through time and space to arrive on planet Earth. Together, K9 and his trio of teen companions investigate and engage all manner of mystery and menaces from beyond the stars, between dimensions or the dark and ancient places of the earth, and they try to fix the rips in time-space that are manifesting about the city and around the globe.

Matt Smith's debut series has concluded in Australia. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's decision to 'fast-track' the latest series of Doctor Who has been vindicated by excellent ratings, the series receiving its highest consistent Australian ratings since its return in 2005 (and probably ever). The series averaged 928,000 viewers in the five major capital cities over thirteen weeks (these figures also do not include regional, time-shifted and iView viewers) and was normally the ABC's top-rating program of the day. TV Tonight reports that The Big Bang averaged 976,000 viewers in the five major capital cities, again despite stiff competition from the commercial networks. Yet again it was the ABC's top-rating program of the day, rating higher than its popular Sunday 7pm news and Little Dorrit, being the ninth highest rating program for the day overall. The corresponding Confidential Cutdown also rated an exceptional 732,000 viewers in the five major capitals.

The 'fast-tracked' Doctor Who continues its strong ratings in Australia. TV Tonight reports that The Pandorica Opens averaged 890,000 viewers in the five major capital cities, again despite stiff competition from the commercial networks. Yet again it was the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's top-rating program of the day, rating higher than its popular Sunday 7pm news and Little Dorrit (the latter which only averaged 645,000 viewers in the five major capitals) being the eleventh highest rating program for the day overall. The corresponding Confidential Cutdown also rated an excellent 670,000 viewers in the five major capitals.

The National Institute of Dramatic Art (Kensington, New South Wales, Australia) are presenting a number of short courses for children on the production of Doctor Who. Arranged in association with BBC Worldwide, the courses cover a range of activities over the next couple of weeks:

Imagine entering the fascinating world of Doctor Who these Winter Holidays. NIDA, together
with BBC Worldwide, has developed specially themed courses that will bring the world of
Doctor Who to life for you.

Acting on Screen Adventures : Doctor Who
Identify and experience the essentials of screen acting as you work on scripts from the Doctor Who series. Discover how to work with green screen technology, develop skills in characterisation and rehearse and film scenes to camera.
9-11 Years, 8 to 9 July, Thursday to Friday, 10.00am-4.00pm, $195 (earlybird $180)

Acting on Screen : Doctor Who
Identify and experience the essentials of screen acting as you work on scripts from the Doctor
Who series. Discover how to work with green screen technology, develop skills in characterisation and rehearse and film scene work to camera. This course is designed for
committed young people wanting to explore strategies for approaching acting on screen.
12-16 Years, 12 to 16 July, Monday to Friday, 10.00am-5.00pm, $525 (earlybird $475)

Create a Doctor Who Alien
Develop skills in costume design and making as you conceptualise and create your own Doctor Who
alien costume. Create character voices and devise a performance piece to be featured in a lunchtime performance in the NIDA foyer.
9 Years+, 12 to 14 July, Monday to Wednesday, 10.00am-4.00pm, $295 (earlybird $270)

Flight of the TARDIS
Travel through time and space with the Doctor and his companions. Open doors to new realities and meet the characters that live there. Using costumes and props as a trigger, develop skills in characterisation, devising scenes, and acting with green screen technology.
6-8 Years, 15 to 16 July, Thursday to Friday, 10.00am-4.00pm, $195 (earlybird $180)

Fantasy Landscape : Doctor Who
Put yourself in control of the action by creating your own model landscape inspired by Doctor Who. Develop design and craft skills in model making with industry professionals.
8 Years+, 12 to 14 July, Monday to Wednesday, 10.00am-4.00pm, $330 (earlybird $300)

(Unfortunately at the time of reporting a couple of other courses on Designing and Film-Making had already commenenced, so haven't been detailed here.)

For more information on the courses/booking, visit the NIDA website.

The 'fast-tracked' Doctor Who continues its excellent ratings in Australia. TV Tonight reports that The Lodger averaged 983,000 viewers in the five major capital cities, again despite stiff competition from the commercial networks. This was 88,000 more viewers than the previous week and the program's best overnight ratings since 1.033 million Australian viewers watched Matt Smith debut in The Eleventh Hour. Yet again it was the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's top-rating program of the day, rating higher than its popular Sunday 7pm news and Little Dorrit, being the tenth highest rating program for the day overall. The corresponding Confidential Cutdown also rated an excellent 664,000 viewers in the five major capitals.

Vincent and the Doctor has debuted in Australia to strong ratings. TV Tonight reports that the episode averaged 895,000 viewers in the five major capital cities, again despite stiff competition from the commercial networks. It was the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's second-highest rating drama of the day coming a close third behind the series final of Agatha Christie's Poirot and the Sunday 7pm news. The corresponding Confidential Cutdown also rated an excellent 714,000 viewers in the five major capitals.

Cold Blood has debuted in Australia to good ratings. TV Tonight reports that the episode averaged 814,000 viewers in the five major capital cities, again despite stiff competition from the commercial networks. However, it was the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's second highest rating program of the day, coming second to a new episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot. The corresponding Confidential Cutdown also rated a strong 589,000 viewers in the five major capitals.

Meanwhile, TV Tonight also reports that the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art, based in Sydney, will hold a number of Doctor Who 'inspired' short courses over the winter holidays.

The Hungry Earth has debuted in Australia to excellent ratings. TV Tonight reports that the episode averaged 914,000 viewers in the five major capital cities, again despite stiff competition from the commercial networks. However, it was not the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's top-rating program of the day, instead coming a close second to a new episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot which averaged 926,000 viewers. The corresponding Confidential Cutdown also rated a solid 635,000 viewers in the five major capitals.

The ABC Shop Rosny Park, Tasmania, Australia, will be holding its 3rd annual Doctor Who night on Saturday 26th June 2010, between 7 and 9pm. The event will take place both in and outside the ABC Shop in Eastlands Shopping Centre and in attendance will be a full- size replica of the TARDIS, a Dalek and K-9 loaned by Wayne Ottaway of Dalek Downunder.

The last Doctor Who night, held in 2008, attracted over 1000 people. During the course of events, there will be spot prizes, giveaways, a quiz, a theatrical piece tentatively entitled "The End of Time Crash" and the chance to purchase Doctor Who related products, some of which have not yet been released in Australia.

Other retailers such as Gloria Jeans coffees, Wendy’s Ice Cream, Donut King, Little India, What’s New and Tassie Cameras will also offer special deals for the evening.

The event is free and all are welcome.

Doctor Who continues its excellent ratings in Australia. TV Tonight reports that Amy's Choice averaged 973,000 viewers in the five major capital cities, again despite stiff competition from the commercial networks and the Eurovision Song Contest final on SBS. This was the program's best overnight ratings since 1.033 million Australian viewers watched Matt Smith debut in The Eleventh Hour. Yet again it was the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's top-rating program of the day, rating higher than its popular Sunday 7pm news. The corresponding Confidential Cutdown also rated a strong 595,000 viewers in the five major capitals.

The Vampires of Venice has debuted in Australia to excellent ratings. TV Tonight reports that the episode averaged 938,000 viewers in the five major capital cities, again despite stiff competition from the commercial networks. However, for the first week it was not the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's top-rating program of the day, instead coming a close third to the series final of Foyle's War and the Sunday 7pm news. The corresponding Confidential Cutdown also rated an excellent 777,000 viewers in the five major capitals.

Meanwhile, the Sydney Morning Herald and TV Tonight report that, from July, the ABC will replace its high definition network with its new 24 hours news service. ABC HD currently broadcasts Doctor Who but not in full high definition, instead only in a modified 720p format. Doctor Who will continue to be broadcast in standard definition on ABC1.

Doctor Who continues its excellent ratings in Australia. TV Tonight reports that Flesh and Stone averaged 967,000 viewers in the five major capital cities, again despite stiff competition from the commercial networks. This was 58,000 more viewers than the previous week and the program's best overnight ratings since 1.033 million Australian viewers watched Matt Smith debut in The Eleventh Hour. Yet again it was the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's top-rating program of the day, rating higher than its popular Sunday 7pm news and a new episode of Foyle's War. The corresponding Confidential Cutdown also rated an excellent 629,000 viewers in the five major capitals.

The Time of Angels has debuted in Australia to excellent ratings. TV Tonight reports that the episode averaged 909,000 viewers in the five major capital cities, again despite stiff competition from the commercial networks. For another week it was the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's top-rating program of the day, rating higher than its popular Sunday 7pm news and a new episode of Foyle's War. The corresponding Confidential Cutdown also rated an excellent 687,000 viewers in the five major capitals.

Meanwhile, TV Tonight also reports that local pay TV network UKTV will have a special Doctor Who June long weekend, broadcasting the full high definition version of Planet of the Dead, as well as the Confidential Greatest Moments specials. The broadcaster is also holding some competitions, including asking viewers to vote for their favourite 10 episodes at www.bbcaustralia.com.

Update: TV Tonight also reports that Doctor Who has done very well with timeshifted viewers. Victory of the Daleks had the second highest percentage increase for Sunday 2 May, 12.9%, gaining 117,000 viewers for an overall audience of 1.027 million. The Beast Below also gained via timeshifting 12.1% viewers, a total of 954,000 viewers.

Victory of the Daleks has debuted in Australia to excellent ratings. TV Tonight reports that the episode averaged 915,000 viewers in the five major capital cities, despite stiff competition from the commercial networks including Masterchef Australia and the annual Logie Awards (the major Australian TV awards). The Daleks proved popular, with Doctor Who improving its ratings by 64,000 viewers from the previous week's episode. Again it was the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's top-rating program of the day, rating higher than its popular Sunday 7pm news. (By comparison, the final of the mini-series Burn Up only rated 375,000 viewers for the ABC in the following 8.30pm timeslot.) The corresponding Confidential Cutdown also rated a respectable 523,000 viewers in the five major capitals.

BBC Australia have dubbed Saturday 12 – Monday 14 June as The Greatest Doctor Who Weekend of all Time, with UKTV screening 10 stories from the Ninth and Tenth Doctors.

The channel is asking viewers to vote for their favourite episodes in a competition on the UKTV website. Prizes include a weekend of pop culture in Melbourne with a double Gold pass to Armageddon Multimedia Expo on October 16 & 17 where you will have photos with media guests including the seventh Doctor!

The three Greatest Adventures documentaries, shown in the UK last summer, will also form part of the weekend as well as the first Doctor Who special shot in HD, Planet of the Dead.

The Beast Below has debuted in Australia to very respectable ratings. TV Tonight reports that the episode averaged 851,000 viewers in the five major capital cities, despite stiff competition from the commercial networks. Again it was the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's top-rating program of the day, rating higher than its popular Sunday 7pm news (By comparison, the mini-series Burn Up only rated 367,000 viewers for the ABC in the following 8.30pm timeslot). The corresponding Confidential Cutdown also rated a respectable 536,000 viewers in the five major capitals.

Meanwhile in local media, Ruth Ritchie of the Sydney Morning Herald writes of The Eleventh Hour that 'a very, very young Doctor, with an almost childlike first take on his new body, is now an obvious choice to engage younger viewers. Smith already displayed an adorable alien quality in Party Animals. Our introduction to him through the eyes of Amelia Pond, a lonely little girl who hears voices through the cracks in her walls, is vintage Doctor Who. He unsuccessfully samples baked beans, bacon, yoghurt and most of the pantry in a display of adult food-spitting we've not seen since Tom Hanks in Big. After a feast of fish fingers dipped in custard, Smith's Doctor Who takes us on a wild and witty science-fiction ride.' The Sunshine Coast Daily also features an interview with Matt Smith where he indicates he might visit Australia next year. No incumbent Doctor has visited Australia since Peter Davison in 1983.

The Eleventh Doctor has debuted in Australia to excellent ratings on both TV and the internet. TV Tonight reports that The Eleventh Hour averaged 1.033 million viewers in the five major capital cities, despite stiff competition from the commercial networks, including the final of The Biggest Loser. It was the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's top-rating program of the day, rating higher than its popular Sunday 7pm news (By comparison, Part Two of The End of Time only rated 840,000 viewers in the five cities back in February). The episode and the corresponding Confidential Cutdown have also debuted on the ABC's iView service. TV Tonight reports that 'The Eleventh Hour', which appeared on iView almost two days before its televison debut, was also a big internet hit for the national broadcaster, having 112,000 views over the weekend (By way of comparison, the iView service had a total of 224,000 visitors, 540,000 visits and 2.8 million page views in the week ending 18 April). Matt Smith and Karen Gillan have also appeared in especially filmed ABC trailers directly inviting viewers to tune into ABC1 to watch the program on Sunday evening.

The debut of Matt Smith has also attracted considerable local media, including a number of interviews with the star on ABC Local Radio (including Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney local ABC) and the national ABC youth radio network Triple J, during which Matt has reflected on the long history and enduring popularity of 'Doctor Who' in Australia. In an amusing interview with TV Tonight, Smith even asks if an Australian version of Doctor Who has ever been considered! The actor has also been interviewed by the Sydney Morning Herald, the Sunday Telegraph and TV Week where he expresses the hope of filming a future episode in Australia.

The Sydney Morning Herald has rated 'The Eleventh Hour' its 'show of the week' with Michael Idato writing that 'the real surprise is the manner in which Matt Smith owns the role completely from the very first frame. Any fear there might be teething problems or some lingering affection for his predecessor...failed to materialise. The verdict? Great, big, wallopy, timey-wimey brilliant.' Dianne Butler of the The Daily Telegraph also gives the program four stars, while Kerrie Murphy of the The Weekend Australian writes it 'is a pretty darn fantastic first full outing for the 11th doctor...Not only is Smith great but so is the story, which sees the Doctor crashing into the life of a feisty young girl who is visited by an unusual escapee prisoner. It nails the Doctor Who formula, mixing comedy with genuine tension and emotion.' Scott Ellis of the Sunday Age also writes of the new Doctor that he 'will take some getting used to but, by the end of this first adventure, Smith shows he has what it takes to reinvent the character again.' The Sunday Age also makes the episode one of its picks of the day also writing, 'Steven Moffat - the man who brought us two of the best-ever Doctor Who eps (Blink, The Girl in the Fireplace) is now head boy. Add the fabulous Matt Smith to the mix as the new Doctor and we're set for a superb series.' Moffat is also interviewed by David Knox of TV Tonight.

Just a reminder that the new series of Doctor Who - starring Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor and Karen Gillan as Amy Pond - premieres in Australia, Canada and the US this weekend.

In the US, The Eleventh Hour, by Steven Moffat, hits TV screens on BBC America tonight (Saturday), at 9 p.m. ET. The opening episode will be preceded at 8 p.m. ET by Doctor Who: The Ultimate Guide, a documentary introducing the world of Doctor Who to new viewers.

Canada premieres The Eleventh Hour tonight (Saturday) on SPACE, also at 9 p.m. ET, with Doctor Who: The Ultimate Guide showing before it at 8 p.m. ET.

In Australia, The Eleventh Hour will be broadcast on ABC 1 on Sunday (April 18) at 7.30 p.m. The series has already premiered in Australia on ABC iView, the station's Internet broadcasting service. Also, Series 1 of K9 continues to be broadcast weekly on Saturdays on Channel Ten.

The new series is receiving masses of press attention in all three countries. Digital Journal continues its coverage, running three separate pieces for the US launch, the Canadian launch and the Australian launch.



Meanwhile, in the UK, Matt Smith's Series 1 (Doctor Who, Series 31) continues tonight on BBC 1 at 6.30 p.m. with Victory of the Daleks, by Mark Gatiss. A report on the history of the metal menace has appeared on BBC News. As reported by us yesterday, immediately after this episode, there will be a trailer on BBC 1 for the fortcoming downloadable episodes of Doctor Who: The Adventure Games. Episode 3 of Doctor Who Confidential follows on BBC 3 at 7.15 p.m.

The K9 adventure series will premier in the UK and Australia on Saturday 3rd April 2010.

In the UK the series will launch at 4pm on the Disney XD channel with episode two showing the following day also at 4pm.

In Australia series will launch at at 9.30am on the TEN network

The new 26 episode children's series features an animated version of the robot dog which appeared in Doctor Who from 1977-1981 before returning in the 2006 story School Reunion.

The series has been jointly created by Bob Baker and Paul Tams. Baker, working with his then writing partner, Dave Martin,  created the original K9 for the fourth Doctor story The Invisible Enemy. John Leeson once more voices the character of K9.

The series is currently showing in Scandinavia where it premièred in January. It was shot between December 2008 and May 2009 in Brisbane, Australia. It is co-produced by Stewart & Wall Entertainment and London-based Park Entertainment.

K9 - Episode One - Regeneration

Whilst Starkey and Jorjie are trying to escape the police they take refuge in a large detached house, now the residence of reclusive scientist, Professor Gryffen. They come across two Jixen warriors and a robot dog, K-9 Mark I.

It has been revealed that the short clip of The Beatles, featured in episode one of The Chase, will only be included on the Region 2 DVD's and will be removed from the masters of the discs produced for regions outside Europe.

The short clip of the group playing Ticket to Ride, was taken from the BBC's Top of the Pops programme, and features as part of the sequence where the TARDIS crew look at various events from history on the Time-Space Visualiser.

The music is covered by a blanket agreement for use in the UK but this does not apply to the rest of the world. It may have been possible for the same masters to have been used for the international copies, as there is nothing in the BBC paperwork to indicate that the clip of the Beatles exists in the story. However the distributors have received so many queries about the inclusion of the clip that it became impossible to ignore its presence, so it has been removed from the edit.

In other DVD news, online retailers in the States are reporting the Region 1 DVD release of the animated story Dreamland has been pushed back to October.