Two recently recovered lost Patrick Troughton episodes will be made available digitally on Wednesday morning, RadioTimes.com can reveal
In what looks set to be the best 50th birthday present fans could imagine, two missing episodes of Doctor Who will be made available for sale to the public this week.
BBC Worldwide will put two previously lost episodes from different stories – both believed to be from the Patrick Troughton era – for sale on digital platforms such as iTunes from Wednesday, RadioTimes.com understands.
They are believed to originate from a haul discovered in Africa and have been digitally remastered for sale, although exact details remain sketchy.
A BBC Worldwide spokesman refused to officially confirm the discovery or the "speculation" around further missing episodes.
It is understood that other episodes have also been found, although it is not yet known whether these will be made available.
The existence of a cache of lost Doctor Who episodes has long been rumoured, although in June the BBC suggested that no tapes existed.
Asked by RadioTimes.com if there were around 90 missing episodes from the 1960s a BBC statement said: “There are always rumours and speculation about Doctor Who missing episodes being discovered – however we cannot confirm any new finds.”
A spokeswoman added: “We can’t confirm because it’s not true, as far as I’m aware."
BBC Worldwide has confirmed it will syndicate the 50th anniversary episode, The Day of the Doctor, simultaneously to more than 75 countries across the world on 23 November.
Source: BBC
In what looks set to be the best 50th birthday present fans could imagine, two missing episodes of Doctor Who will be made available for sale to the public this week.
BBC Worldwide will put two previously lost episodes from different stories – both believed to be from the Patrick Troughton era – for sale on digital platforms such as iTunes from Wednesday, RadioTimes.com understands.
They are believed to originate from a haul discovered in Africa and have been digitally remastered for sale, although exact details remain sketchy.
A BBC Worldwide spokesman refused to officially confirm the discovery or the "speculation" around further missing episodes.
It is understood that other episodes have also been found, although it is not yet known whether these will be made available.
The existence of a cache of lost Doctor Who episodes has long been rumoured, although in June the BBC suggested that no tapes existed.
Asked by RadioTimes.com if there were around 90 missing episodes from the 1960s a BBC statement said: “There are always rumours and speculation about Doctor Who missing episodes being discovered – however we cannot confirm any new finds.”
A spokeswoman added: “We can’t confirm because it’s not true, as far as I’m aware."
BBC Worldwide has confirmed it will syndicate the 50th anniversary episode, The Day of the Doctor, simultaneously to more than 75 countries across the world on 23 November.
Source: BBC
Great, great news!
ReplyDeleteI never got why there were missing episodes of Doctor Who, and a lot of them, I mean like wtf you forgot to air it and skipped over to the next episode??> You made a story arc intern lost it and went on to the next arc, da fuck is with the missing episode.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is (as far as I know) that back then, when they had full storage in your building, they threw out the files that were "useless" (the ones they had already broadcast...). And also, I think there was a fire or something like that... there, a wikipedia article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who_missing_episodes
ReplyDeleteThey aired, but since then episodes didn't have reruns, there was no use for old episodes. So it wasn't as important to keep them.
ReplyDeleteIn the 1960s and 70s, they used quad-tape (four inch magnetic tape) to record and store episodes and other things made for TV. During this time, keeping old episodes and shows was uncommon, and since tapes were really expensive, the BBC would usually wipe them (like you would a VHS tape) and use it again for other purposes. The BBC saved money, and didn't mind: because they didn't think Doctor Who was gonna last that long. After all, it wasn't until the late 70s that people actually started caring about this, and by then it was too late. Ian Levine, known to Who-fans for his efforts, actually came just a few hours ahead of the schedueled wiping of 20+ episodes, including "The Daleks" seven-episode serial from 1963.
ReplyDeleteSadly, this was done to more than 150 episodes. When the BBC stopped their junking-policy in 1978, 152 episodes were missing. Through fan efforts, this number has been reduced to 106.
Finding missing episodes depends on one of three things:
1) A fan has a copy, either on tape or 16 mm (has happened).
2) Another broadcaster has a copy, either on tape or 16 mm (most likely).
3) The BBC finds the tapes in their archives (99,99% certainty of never happening again).
The BBC sold the show to many other countries, who then had episodes sent to them on either tapes of 16mm (most common). Appearantly, the African networks were far less liberal in their junking policies, and kept nearly all tapes and reels they had, and according to rumours: this is what has now saved 100+ missing episodes.
Wouldn't it just be FANTASTIC if a majority had been found, say, 90, like many rumours have said, if it's not all of them but only a handful were left missing, that could later be animated, then... the ENTIRE series could then be viewed from beginning to end. All 800 episodes from 1963 - 2013. Imagine the DVD collection, I'd honestly just say MOLTO BENE and pick it up in an instant! I wont get my hopes up but if this is true then GERONIMO! (I tried my best to fit those catchphrases in, honestly)
ReplyDeleteShit that's a horror story indeed. I have digital copies of a lot of things and when I first lost my first External Hardrive because of going old apparently. And since then I have to buy a hard drives every 3-4 years and transfer over the stuff to keep it alive. I did this 2 times now so like 8 years been doing this. also learned what to keep and what not.
ReplyDeleteFantastic news! They kept on denying those rumours, but I couldn't help hoping... A perfect birthday gift for fans, indeed!
ReplyDeleteI think all of these episodes are really still around. They just keep "finding" them every few years to make big bank on Super Special Newly "Discovered" DVD releases.
ReplyDeleteGreat news for Classic Who fans, this had been rumoured for a while so happy its happening.
ReplyDelete