Officially no series 8 in 2013

[Samurai8472]

Looks like we will have a Christmas special

From Radio Times:

'To dispel any rumours of doubt, (Radio Times) sources confirm that after filming of the anniversary, they'll (production team) will be girding themselves for a Christmas special, then SERIES EIGHT and beyond.'

[Konata Izumi]

Hope it's How the Daleks Stole Christmas.

[Lonemagpie]

The timing of that means series 8 (or 8a if it's still split, though there's no reason for that ATM) would be starting at Easter 2014

[StCoop]

Lonemagpie wrote:

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The timing of that means series 8 (or 8a if it's still split, though there's no reason for that ATM) would be starting at Easter 2014

It is very vague and interesting that the BBC could officially announce 2014 series for a bunch of other shows this week but not DW.

I really do suspect now that they're waiting on Matt Smith to sign a contract for another full series (or not) before they decide exactly what they're going to do.

[Sindatur]

StCoop wrote:

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It is very vague and interesting that the BBC could officially announce 2014 series for a bunch of other shows this week but not DW.

I really do suspect now that they're waiting on Matt Smith to sign a contract for another full series (or not) before they decide exactly what they're going to do.

No surprise there, S7 is Matt Smith's 3rd Series, so, it wouldn't be a surprise at all, if his tenure is nearing it's end. I'd love to see him stay longer, but, not many have stayed beyond 3 Series (Hartnell just a bit over 3, Pertwee 6 and Tom Baker 7, and then Tennant did the Specials after 3 Series)

[Starkers]

Be nice to get a fourth series out of Matt before he moves on to other things, and I do think he should move on, however much I like him as the Doctor. Tom proved you could stay in the role too damn long (though Peter Davison proved you could jump too early as well...)

[Allyn Gibson]

StCoop wrote:

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It is very vague and interesting that the BBC could officially announce 2014 series for a bunch of other shows this week but not DW.

I really do suspect now that they're waiting on Matt Smith to sign a contract for another full series (or not) before they decide exactly what they're going to do.

There's another possibility.

They may see no need to announce a 2014 series for Doctor Who at this point when they still have a series to broadcast for 2013. Yes, the hardcore fan will want to know what's coming up a year from now, but the casual viewer would only be confused by announcements about Doctor Who a year-plus out.

[StCoop]

Allyn Gibson wrote:

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Yes, the hardcore fan will want to know what's coming up a year from now, but the casual viewer would only be confused by announcements about Doctor Who a year-plus out.

That's pretty damn insulting.

Plus they've announced new series of Call The Midwife & Death In Paradise before their current series have finished. You're not suggesting their audience is more intelligent than the average Doctor Who viewer?

[Lonemagpie]

StCoop wrote:

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That's pretty damn insulting.

Plus they've announced new series of Call The Midwife & Death In Paradise before their current series have finished. You're not suggesting their audience is more intelligent than the average Doctor Who viewer?

It's all about linking stuff in people's minds- Death In Paradise, Call The Midwife and Ripper Street are all airing now, so announcing their renewals makes sense. DW returns at Easter, so I'd expect an April announcement of season 8 - i.e. while new episodes are airing.

[Lonemagpie]

As for Smith, personally I'd like a mid-season regeneration...

[Sindatur]

StCoop wrote:

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That's pretty damn insulting.

Plus they've announced new series of Call The Midwife & Death In Paradise before their current series have finished. You're not suggesting their audience is more intelligent than the average Doctor Who viewer?

"Before their current Series is finished" is kinda different from "2 months before the current Series has even started"

Yes, it is Too much information for the average viewer to be hearing about next year, when this year hasn't even started yet.

8 episodes Series 7B April - 8 weeks after premiere
Anniversary Special
Anniversary DocuDramatization
Christmas Special

That's quite a bit of information for the average viewer to hold onto/keep track of. They don't build their life around the program, or tick off days on the calendar waiting for it, they're just happy to tune in to it when it comes around

[StCoop]

Sindatur wrote:

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Yes, it is Too much information for the average viewer to be hearing about next year, when this year hasn't even started yet.

How on Earth did people cope in 2005 when they knew what would be happening in 2007 and 2008 when they know what would be happening in 2010?

[Starkers]

Lonemagpie wrote:

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As for Smith, personally I'd like a mid-season regeneration...

Hmm, that would certainly make a change, but I'm not sure of the logistics of it all, I suppose if all the first half of the season episodes are in the same shooting blocks then its feasible.

[Sindatur]

StCoop wrote:

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How on Earth did people cope in 2005 when they knew what would be happening in 2007 and 2008 when they know what would be happening in 2010?

Say what?

No one is saying it does them any kind of damage. It's simply not something that's important enough for them to spend the brain power keeping track of it, so, therefore, it's a waste of time and time and resources to be announcing it, when it's not going to benefit them, because the general audience won't retain the information.

[Lonemagpie]

Sindatur wrote:

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Say what?

No one is saying it does them any kind of damage. It's simply not something that's important enough for them to spend the brain power keeping track of it, so, therefore, it's a waste of time and time and resources to be announcing it, when it's not going to benefit them, because the general audience won't retain the information.

It's just makes more sense from the POV of making people go "ooh" to announce while a show is airing and in the audience's attention field that that show will be back next year. It's basically how it's done for, you know, everything else...