BBC iPlayer expands Doctor Who archive ahead of anniversary
David Farnor | On 10, Oct 2023
BBC iPlayer is getting bigger on the inside this autumn, with episodes of Classic Doctor Who joining the current library of New Who – and a host of other programming – ahead of the show’s 60th anniversary.
Before the Anniversary Specials starring David Tennant hit our screens, viewers will have the opportunity to travel back in time with any of the Doctors through the show’s 60-year history. This will include an archive of Classic Doctor Who for the first time on BBC iPlayer – the show’s full back catalogue of Classic Who is available on BritBox UK and ITVX – including First Doctor William Hartnell’s first encounter with the Daleks, the first episodes made for colour TV with Third Doctor Jon Pertwee, and fan favourites from Fourth Doctor Tom Baker’s iconic run, such as City of Death and The Brain of Morbius. Also included is the 1996 TV movie with Paul McGann, featuring him taking over from Seventh Doctor Sylvester McCoy.
Every episode on iPlayer from the back catalogue will be available with multiple accessibility options, including subtitles, audio description and sign language.
The classic outings join a host of Doctor Who spin-offs, including the Sarah Jane Adventures, Torchwood and Class, already available to stream. And viewers will also be available to step behind-the-scenes with every episode of Doctor Who Confidential available to stream.
As the perfect companion to the back catalogue, the BBC will simultaneously launch an extensive online archive from the show’s history at bbc.co.uk/doctorwho, with everything from interviews with cast to written documents, long unheard audio, and behind-the-scenes photos. Together, they tell the story of the ground-breaking series through 60 archive gems for the 60th anniversary. The archive invites fans to delve even deeper into the show with curated journeys such as the genesis of Doctor Who, where audio from former Head of Drama, Sydney Newman alongside documents with his original handwritten notes guide you through the origins of Doctor Who.
Over time, more content will be added to the archive including a special collection of photos that have been scanned at 8k resolution from an estimated total of 25,000 prints, negatives, slides and digital images, which will give an unprecedented insight into the show with access to all areas throughout the years. The expanded archive will also feature additional gems from over 100,000 documents, including memos, correspondence, designs, and audience research, alongside orchestral scores of sheet music. Also being added is a selection of audio clips about Doctor Who, including radio programmes, documentaries, interviews, and music.
All this will be available from 1st November, totally over 800 episodes of Doctor Who programming on iPlayer.
Russell T Davies, showrunner, says: “I’d like to thank the BBC for all the hard work, to get this massive back catalogue under one roof, at long last. I’m so excited for new viewers – imagine being 8 years old, spending winter afternoons exploring the 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. And we’re determined this won’t be a dusty museum – we have exciting plans to bring the back catalogue to life, with much more to be revealed!”
Read our guide to Classic Doctor Who here.