Back in May, a section from the old BBC Doctor Who 'FAQ' page turned up online, with fans concerned at the policy on fan fiction and artwork. The policy read as follows:

Can I create Doctor Who fan fiction?
You are welcome to write Doctor Who fiction for your own enjoyment, but we should remind you that it is not permitted for you to publish this work either in print or online.

Following a growing number of worried tweets from fans wanting to know if this was still current policy, DWO got in touch with the BBC Brand Protection Team for clarification on the matter. Yesterday we received their official reply:

Hi Sebastian,

Thank you for your email.

In answer to your question, while we do not have objections to fans creating and publishing their own Doctor Who inspired fiction, artwork or other content, we request that these do not copy a substantial part of the Doctor Who TV programmes or other official Doctor Who content such as scripts, books, magazines, artwork or photography.

Also, we request to avoid use of official Doctor Who or BBC logos and would appreciate if the fan art is not presented in a way as to suggest or confuse viewers into believing that the fan creations are ‘official’ Doctor Who content, or are endorsed by or associated with the BBC. In this regard, we ask fans to add a clear and visible disclaimer stating that the content is fan-made and un-official. 

As for the old BBC FAQ section you have attached in your correspondence, we confirm this is no longer available.

We trust this is helpful for you.

Kind regards

Content & Brand Protection Team

The response definitely shows a shift in policy, and whilst there are some important requests from the BBC in way of the use of logos and existing text, they appear to be embracing the creativity of fandom more. This is a truly positive step from the BBC, and one that many fans will appreciate.

[Sources: DWO, BBC Content & Brand Protection Team]

BBC Radio 1 have been in touch to let DWO know about a cool new video they released featuring Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams) singing a parody version of the hit song 'Let It Go' from Frozen.

Watch the video in the player, below
[youtube:TNDyBBAjRHg]

[Source: BBC Radio 1]

Speaking at the recent BBC Worldwide Showcase in Liverpool, Steven Moffat talks about the “insane” idea of remaking Doctor Who for international audiences.

When asked if any foreign TV channels had ever enquired about making their own version of Doctor Who, Moffat replied:

"If anyone were to ask me, I'd say it's an absolutely insane idea. You couldn't have more than one Doctor Who in the world. It would just be dreadful."

Despite events like the BBC Worldwide Showcase and the sums of money to be made from selling programmes to foreign channels, Moffat says he does not write shows with overseas sales in mind.

"I don't think creatively it makes any sense at all to try to imagine selling your show to the rest of the world. You'd get it wrong anyway. Sherlock and Doctor Who are both doing rather well but they couldn't be more definitively British. They're obtusely British. They're about as British as it gets. You shouldn't be afraid of being British because that's what you're selling."

[Source: BBC News]

The BBC has today confirmed plans to launch a +1 channel for BBC One.

Speaking at a BBC conference today, BBC Director General, Tony Hall said:

“Any plan for channels starts with BBC One. Above all, BBC One needs to be on top form. It has to be the nation’s favourite channel, but also its bravest. We’ll also look to launch a BBC One +1 channel, too – it’s what audiences expect, especially younger ones, and it means people can get more of what they’ve already paid for.”

Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One, added:

"This is brilliant news for BBC One viewers, it means the content we pay for delivers even more value for audiences. In a world of increased choice, +1 will enable licence fee payers to have even more access to our broad range of programmes every day."

This is good news for Doctor Who as not only will episodes be available to watch for those who may miss the original time slot airing, but the ratings of the +1 channel will count towards the ratings totals for the week - as is currently the case with ITV1. The decision means there will be an even playing field as far as ratings go, and we should once more see Doctor Who at the very top of the weekly programming figures.

[Source: BBC Media Centre]

It is with deepest regret that DWO announces the passing of Designer of The Daleks, Ray Cusick.

Ray designed the iconic look of The Daleks - brainchild of creator, Terry Nation. The design of The Daleks has changed very little since the 1960's and at the time of designing, Cusick was on a standard BBC salary, so did not collect any royalties from his designs.

The Daleks have since gone on to earn huge revenues for Terry Nation's estate - a fact which many fans feel Cusick should have received more recognition (and royalties) for.

During his life, Cusick always stated he never asked for money, only to be recognised as a designer.

DWO would like to extend our sympathies to Raymond's family and friends.

[Source: BBC News]

BBC Worldwide have today launched the new 50th Anniversary Doctor Who website at doctorwho.tv.

The site is a commercial venture with some fantastic factual sections too. Fans can browse guides to the Doctors, Companions and Monsters, as well as News and links to the Doctor Who Events, TV Episodes, Games and the BBC Doctor Who Shop.

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

The BBC have released a number of promotional pictures for this week's episode of Doctor Who; 7.2: Dinosaurs on a Spaceship.

+  7.2: Dinosaurs on a Spaceship will air on Saturday 8th September at 7:35pm on BBC One.

+  Read DWO's Spoiler-Free Preview for this story, here.

[Source: BBC Pictures]

Virgin Media have pulled their latest series of television advertisements featuring David Tennant, at the request of the BBC.

Complaints from the BBC have led Virgin to withdraw the advert (see bottom of this news article) featuring the Doctor Who brand as "a gesture of goodwill".

The ad for Virgin Media's cable TV, broadband and telephone packages sees former Time Lord Tennant perusing his own back catalogue on Virgin’s TiVo service, and pauses on a page featuring the Doctor Who logo and a description of the show. Meanwhile, in the background, Virgin boss Richard Branson is shown constructing a time machine of his own.

Virgin originally responded to complaints by removing the Doctor Who logo but BBC Worldwide - the corporation's commercial arm - argued that it continued to contravene BBC guidelines regarding the endorsement of third parties. 

Virgin has now pulled the ad but will continue to broadcast two others in the series, which also star Tennnant but do not reference Doctor Who.

A joint statement from Virgin Media and BBC Worldwide said:

"Virgin Media has listened to concerns raised by BBC Worldwide about perceived commercial endorsement by a BBC brand relating to the recent Virgin Media ad… As a gesture of goodwill, Virgin Media has agreed to withdraw the ad and BBC Worldwide is satisfied that the issue has been addressed."

[youtube:KelxLtklZeE]

[Source: Radio Times]

The BBC have confirmed that 'something suitable is being planned' for Saturday Night to mark the recent passing of Doctor Who Actress, Elisabeth Sladen.

DWO contacted the Doctor Who PR department who confirmed this, and although no further information can be given currently, it is understood that it will take the likely form of a textual tribute on screen at either the beginning or the end of 6.1: The Impossible Astronaut.

The BBC have also confirmed that the CBBC channel will air an Elisabeth Sladen tribute titled 'My Sarah Jane: A tribute to Elisabeth Sladen', and had the following text to accompany the announcement:

Elisabeth Sladen created one of Doctor Who's best loved and most enduring characters, Sarah Jane Smith. For over 35 years she brought the feisty, compassionate journalist to life, creating a figure that was adored by audiences of all ages - truly a heroine whose appeal had no boundaries.

This 15 minute programme is both a tribute and a celebration of Elisabeth Sladen. It brings together stories from friends and colleagues and draws on a rich archive of material to remind us of Sarah Jane's journey, from companion to the Third Doctor to the central character in CBBC's award-winning The Sarah Jane Adventures.

Produced by Gillane Seaborne and Brian Minchin, My Sarah Jane: A Tribute to Elisabeth Sladen is on CBBC on Saturday, at 6.45pm, straight after the end of The Impossible Astronaut.

+  Click Here to read Elisabeth Sladen tributes from DWO visitors and Doctor Who related Celebrities.

+  6.1: The Impossible Astronaut airs on BBC One this Saturday at 6pm.

[Source: BBC]

BBC Inside Out will feature a previously unbroadcast interview with the late Delia Derbyshire – the woman who created the iconic Doctor Who theme tune – on Monday 15 November on BBC One at 7.30pm.

In this episode, excerpts of Derbyshire's interview will be heard – which were originally recorded in the late-Nineties by BBC Radio Scotland's John Cavanagh but never broadcast before.

In the interview she reveals that one of the primary influences on her music, including Doctor Who, were the abstract sounds she heard as a child during the Coventry blitz.

Inside Out also features previously unseen footage of Delia later in life at a Doctor Who fan convention.

In the programme, BBC Radio 2 presenter Stuart Maconie looks at her career and explores why the woman herself remains a mystery despite her work influencing the world of electronic music, including Pink Floyd and today's modern dance acts – because, in 1963, hardly anyone outside of avant garde music circles and academia knew electronic music even existed.

But, 47 years on, the Doctor Who theme is probably the most famous piece of electronic music in the world.

Now, her lost recordings, discovered in her attic after her death, are being lovingly restored by the University of Manchester.

BBC Inside Out explores how Delia revolutionised pop music and why she turned her back on music and disappeared. Stuart begins his journey in war-torn Coventry, where Delia grew up, and follows her journey to the Radiophonic Workshop at the BBC. He talks to a range of people, including the man who invented the infamous sound of the Tardis, Brian Hodgson.

Also uncovered in this episode is the revelation that Delia composed music for an astonishing number of landmark programmes of the day, with the original Doctor Who theme being just a small part of Delia's massive output whose style was described in her own words.

Delia says: "Well, the first stage in the realisation of a piece of music is to construct the individual sounds that we are going to use. we can build up any sound we could possibly imagine almost.

"We spend quite a lot of time to invent new sounds, sounds that don't exist already, ones that can't be produced by musical instruments."

As Stuart explains, it was the theme that changed the world and the very first time the public had heard electronic music so who was the person behind it and why was she so important?

He says: "Everyone knows the Doctor Who theme – most of us here have grown up with it. But the techniques developed by one woman to make it have changed the shape and sound of modern music for ever. But the woman herself remains a mystery."

[Source: BBC Press Office]