BBC America have released information on forthcoming programmes for April 2011, which also covers the premier of Doctor Who on the 23rd April, plus associated programmes on the show:

DOCTOR WHO SEASON 6 - U.S. PREMIERE

Doctor Who is coming to America in a spectacular two-part season premiere on BBC AMERICA. The mysterious time traveler, the Doctor (Matt Smith), and his companions Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill), find themselves on a secret summons that takes them on an adventure from the desert in Utah - right to the Oval Office in1969. More details will be revealed in the coming weeks about this two-parter penned by ‘Who supremo’ Steven Moffat (Sherlock) and featuring guest star Mark Sheppard (Supernatural, Battlestar Galactica). Also set to return this season, Alex Kingston (ER, Flash Forward), as the irrepressible River Song. Part One of the Doctor Who premiere event airs Saturday, April 23, 9:00p.m. ET/PT

DOCTOR WHO REWIND

Countdown to the premiere of season six of Doctor Who with a special look back at all the best places, people and moments from season five. This hour-long special recaps the key happenings from season five and prepares viewers for the highly-anticipated premiere of season six. Doctor Who Rewindpremieres Saturday, April 23, 8p.m. ET/PT

DOCTOR WHO IN AMERICA

BBC AMERICA takes you behind the scenes of Doctor Who’s dramatic sixth season in this all-new special. Go inside the most highly-anticipated season of Doctor Who yet, with an exclusive look at the making of the season that will leave everyone talking. Doctor Who in America premieres Saturday, April 30, 10p.m. ET/PT

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BBC America have issued a press release for the broadcast of A Christmas Carol on Christmas Day:

BBC AMERICA TO PREMIERE DOCTOR WHO SPECIAL ON CHRISTMAS DAY
Harry Potter's Michael Gambon Guest Stars in the Holiday-Themed Adventure

Following Matt Smith's appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on Tuesday November 16, BBC AMERICA announces that the new Doctor Who Christmas Special will premiere in the U.S. for the first time on Christmas Day. The festive Dickens-inspired adventure, A Christmas Carol, is penned by award-winning lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat (Sherlock, Coupling) and premieres Saturday, December 25, 9:00 pm ET.

Newlyweds Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) are joined by Harry Potter's Michael Gambon and Opera diva Katherine Jenkins, for what may be the Doctor's most Christmassy adventure yet.

Lead Writer and Executive Producer, Steven Moffat, commented on the upcoming special: "Oh, we're going for broke with this one. It's all your favorite Christmas movies at once, in an hour, with monsters. And the Doctor. And a honeymoon. And ... oh, you'll see. I've honestly never been so excited about writing anything. I was laughing madly as I typed along to Christmas songs in April. My neighbors loved it so much they all moved away and set up a website demanding my execution. But I'm fairly sure they did it ironically."

Perry Simon, General Manager, Channels, added: "Doctor Who has become a key part of the BBC AMERICA schedule, and having the opportunity to air A Christmas Carol on Christmas Day is like receiving our very own holiday gift. The Timelord may travel through time and space, but he's certainly found a home at BBC AMERICA."

Doctor Who is currently filming in Utah for next season's two-part premiere set in the U.S. during the late '60s. Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill, Alex Kingston and guest star Mark Sheppard are all in production stateside. The next season premieres spring 2011 on BBC AMERICA.

In the run up to A Christmas Carol on Christmas Day, BBC AMERICA will be running a marathon of the series, beginning at midnight on December 24 and leading up to this year's special. The marathon includes previous Christmas specials and a selection of favorite Doctor Who episodes from recent seasons.

Christmas Day will also see the premiere the Doctor Who Prom, a live concert featuring stars Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill as hosts. The Doctor Who Prom was filmed earlier this year at the world renowned Royal Albert Hall and features appearances from the Weeping Angels, Daleks and the TARDIS. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales, who record the soundtrack for the series, present a selection of intergalactic music - including Murray Gold's music from the TV show, plus a selection of classical favorites.

Fans can catch up on the new Doctor's first season with Doctor Who: The Complete Fifth Series Blu-ray and DVD, both are now available in stores.

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies, life-changing makeovers and a whole new world of nonfiction. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. BBC AMERICA is distributed by Discovery Networks. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 68 million homes.

Media Articles:
Futon Critic(17th) - BBC America to Premiere "Doctor Who" Special on Christmas Day

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BBC America have issued a press release relating to Doctor Who going to the United States for filming for the next series of Doctor Who:

DOCTOR WHO TO FILM IN THE U.S. FOR THE FIRST TIME

Upcoming season's first two episodes to be set in the U.S.

The BBC announced today that season six of Doctor Who, which delivered record ratings for BBC AMERICA earlier this year, will open with a spectacular two-parter set in the U.S. and penned by 'Who supremo' Steven Moffat.

In the special two-parter co-produced with BBC AMERICA, key scenes will be filmed in Utah for a story set in the late '60s in which the Doctor, Amy and Rory find themselves on a secret summons that takes them on an adventure from the desert in Utah - right to the Oval Office itself.

Production on episodes one and two of the new season starts in Cardiff this month and Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will then travel to America in mid November to shoot pivotal scenes. They will also be joined by Alex Kingston who reprises her role as River Song.

Showrunner and lead writer, Steven Moffat, said: "The Doctor has visited every weird and wonderful planet you can imagine, so he was bound get round to America eventually! And of course every Doctor Who fan will be jumping up and down and saying he's been in America before. But not for real, not on location - and not with a story like this one! Oh, you wait!"

Piers Wenger, Head of Drama BBC Wales and Executive Producer, added: "Steven's scripts generally inspire us to go that extra mile - this time we're going that extra four thousand. Thanks to our friends at BBC AMERICA and to the continuing ambition of our lead writer and production team, the first two episodes of Matt Smith's second season as the Doctor are going global and look set to become Doctor Who's most action-packed and ambitious season opener yet".

The new season follows on from the Doctor Who Christmas special guest starring Katherine Jenkins and Michael Gambon which is due to premiere at Christmas. Season six will start airing on BBC AMERICA in spring 2011 and has been split into two blocks, with the second block airing in autumn 2011. By splitting the series Moffat plans to give viewers one of the most exciting Doctor Who cliffhangers and plot twists ever, leaving them waiting, on the edge of their seats, until the autumn to find out what happens.

2010 has been a breakthrough year for the Doctor Who franchise across all platforms since BBC AMERICA became the official home of the series. The series reached the number one spot on the "Top TV Seasons" chart on iTunes and now Doctor Who: The Complete Fifth Season hits stores on Blu-ray and DVD on November 9.

Doctor Who was co-commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning for BBC One and Jay Hunt, Controller of BBC One and will be produced by Marcus Wilson (Life on Mars) and Sanne Wohlenberg (Margaret). Steven Moffat is Lead Writer and Executive Producer (Sherlock Holmes) with Piers Wenger, Head of Drama, BBC Wales and Beth Willis (Ashes to Ashes), also Executive Producing.

Filming is taking place in Cardiff until March 2011.

The BBC have also issued a press release:

The TARDIS crash lands in America for series six of Doctor Who on BBC One

The BBC announced today that series six of Doctor Who will open with a spectacular two-parter set in the US and penned by "Who supremo" Steven Moffat.

In the special two-parter co-produced with BBC America, key scenes will be filmed in Utah for a story set in the late Sixties in which the Doctor, Amy and Rory find themselves on a secret summons that takes them on an adventure from the desert in Utah right to the Oval Office itself.

Production on episodes one and two of the new series starts in Cardiff this month and Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will then travel to America in mid-November to shoot pivotal scenes. They will also be joined by Alex Kingston who reprises her role as River Song.

Showrunner and lead writer, Steven Moffat, said: "The Doctor has visited every weird and wonderful planet you can imagine, so he was bound get round to America eventually! And of course every Doctor Who fan will be jumping up and down and saying he's been in America before. But not for real, not on location – and not with a story like this one! Oh, you wait!"

Piers Wenger, Head of Drama BBC Wales and Executive Producer, added: "Steven's scripts generally inspire us to go that extra mile – this time we're going that extra four thousand. Thanks to our friends at BBC America and to the continuing ambition of our lead writer and production team, the first two episodes of Matt Smith's second series as the Doctor are going global and look set to become Doctor Who's most action-packed and ambitious season opener yet."

The new series follows on from the Doctor Who Christmas Special guest starring Katherine Jenkins and Michael Gambon which is due to broadcast at Christmas. Series six will start airing on BBC One in spring 2011 and has been split into two blocks, with the second block airing in autumn 2011.

By splitting the series Moffat plans to give viewers one of the most exciting Doctor Who cliffhangers and plot twists ever, leaving them waiting, on the edge of their seats, until the autumn to find out what happens.

The series was co-commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning for BBC One and Jay Hunt, Controller of BBC One and will be produced by Marcus Wilson (Whitechapel) and Sanne Wohlenberg (Margaret). Steven Moffat is lead writer and executive producer with Piers Wenger, Head of Drama, BBC Wales and Beth Willis (Ashes To Ashes), also executive producing.

Filming is taking place in Cardiff until March 2010.

Media Coverage:
Your TV [AU](13th) - Doctor Who travelling to America
Croatian Villas(12th) - Doctor Who to go overseas again after Croatia success
Geekosystem(12th) - Doctor Who to Film in America for the First Time Ever
UGO(12th) - Doctor Who Is Heading to... Utah?
World Screen(12th) - Doctor Who Heads to the U.S.
Mania(12th) - Doctor Who Travels to U.S.
Topless Robot(11th) - The Doctor Is In (America)
BBC Press(11th) - The TARDIS crash lands in America for series six of Doctor Who on BBC One
Herald Sun [AU](11th) - Dr Who's sixth series to start with two-part opener shot in Utah
Comic Vine(11th) - Doctor Who to Film in America for the First Time
Big Shiny Robot(11th) - Doctor Who to Film Season Opener in Utah!
Crave(11th) - 'Doctor Who' To Film In America
RTE(11th) - Doctor Who to be filmed in America
All Headline News(11th) - BBC Sci-Fit Hit "Doctor Who" To Film In Utah
TV.com(11th) - BBC's Doctor Who Takes on the United States in Season 6
About(11th) - Doctor Who Premiere Filming Stateside
TV.com(11th) - Doctor Who's Sixth Season Starts in America, Then Stops Again
Register(11th) - Doctor Who touches down in US of A
TV Squad(11th) - Part of New 'Doctor Who' Season Will Be Filmed in America
Hit Fix(11th) - 'Dr. Who' will film in the U.S. for the first time
Film School Rejects(10th) - Doctor Who is Coming to America, But in a Good Way
Digital Spy(10th) - 'Doctor Who' to film two-part opener in US
What's On TV(10th) - New Doctor Who series to kick off in desert
Collider(10th) - DOCTOR WHO Films in the United States for the First Time Ever to Open Season Six
Monsters & Critics(10th) - Doctor Who films in the U.S. for the first time
Screen Rant(10th) - ‘Doctor Who’ Season 6 Opener To Film In The U.S.
ATV Network(10th) - New series of Doctor Who to film in America
io9(10th) - Matt Smith coming to America: The Doctor faces the fearsome might of Richard Nixon
Airlock Alpha(10th) - 'Doctor Who' Coming (Back) To America
Press Association(10th) - Doctor Who series starts in States
Pop Culture Zoo(10th) - Doctor Who To Film In The US – Official Details
Anglotopia(10th) - Breaking: Doctor Who To Film in the USA for New Series – Preview Released
InToTown(10th) - Doctor Who and his Tardis crash land in America
BBC News(10th) - Doctor Who series will begin in the Utah desert
Digital Journal(9th) - Is Doctor Who about to follow Torchwood to America?
Comic Book Resources(8th) - Doctor Who Comes To America In New Season?

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BBC America have issued a press release reporting on how well The Eleventh Hour was received on its broadcast at the weekend.

Doctor Who Premiere - BBC America's highest rated telecast ever
April 19, 2010, New York, NY

Doctor Who, in a new era for the iconic series, broke BBC AMERICA ratings records with its season premiere this past Saturday, April 17, delivering 1.2 million viewers in Live + Same Day - BBC AMERICA’s highest rated telecast ever. Additionally, it was the best Live + Same Day A25-54 delivery ever and ranked BBC AMERICA #2 among all ad supported cable nets in its time period (9-10:10PM) among coverage rating. Doctor Who is also currently the #1 TV series in the iTunes store. This outstanding achievement follows a slew of critical acclaim leading up to the premiere and a launch week that saw new showrunner, Steven Moffat, new Doctor, Matt Smith, and his trusty companion, Karen Gillan, greeting thousands of fans over a series of events and screenings in New York and Los Angeles.

The reboot of this BAFTA-winning series, whose predecessor delivered record ratings for BBC AMERICA earlier this year, takes viewers on a stunning journey through time and space. The Doctor (Matt Smith) and his new travelling companion, the enigmatic Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), together explore sixteenth century Venice, France during the 1890s and the United Kingdom in the far future, now an entire nation floating in space. But, the Doctor’s enemies are never far behind him including old nemeses the Daleks and Weeping Angels, plus new foes such as alien vampires, humanoid reptiles and a silent menace that follows the Doctor and Amy wherever they go. Doctor Who airs every Saturday, 9:00p.m. ET/PT.

• The Doctor Who premiere on Saturday, April 17 was BBC AMERICA’s best Live + Same Day P2+ rating (.68) and delivery ever (1,196,000).
• The Doctor Who premiere on Saturday, April 17 was BBC AMERICA’s best Live + Same Day A25-54 rating (.89) and delivery ever (682,000).
• In Live + Same Day coverage rating, BBC AMERICA premiere beat SYFY’s season premieres for Doctor Who seasons 2-4 in P2+ and P25-54.
• The .89 in P25-54 coverage rating for the Doctor Who premiere on Saturday, April 17 ranked #2 among all ad supported cable nets in its time period (9-10:10PM)

Source: Nielsen NH1, 4/17/10 Live and Live+ Same Day.

Media Coverage:
Gear Live(19th) - TV Talk: Doctor Who Sets Records
Futon Critic(19th) - Doctor Who Premiere - BBC America's highest rated telecast ever
Guardian(20th) - Doctor Who sets BBC America viewing record
Hitfix(20th) - New 'Doctor Who' brings record ratings to BBC America
Hollywood Reporter(19th) - 'Doctor Who' reboot sets records for BBC America
Multichannel News(19th) - ‘Doctor Who' (Again) Breaks Records at BBCA
Real TV Addict(19th) - New Doctor Who Makes BBCA Ratings History
Reuters(19th) - "Doctor Who" sets BBC America record

Media Coverage (added 21st April):
Guardian [UK](20th) - Doctor Who sets BBC America viewing record
Mirror [UK](21st) - Doctor Who Matt Smith smashes BBC America's ratings record with debut
Reel Loop(20th) - ‘Doctor Who’ Breaks Audience Record for BBC America

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