The 'Doctor Who' back catalogue will be made available on BBC iPlayer to celebrate the show's 60th anniversary this year.
The full history of Doctor Who is coming to BBC iPlayer
Over 800 episodes of programming on is coming to the streaming platform with every episode now available with subtitles, audio description and sign language for the first time.
As well as the classic series, the mega release will include episodes from spin-off shows, such as 'The Sarah Jane Adventures', 'Torchwood' and 'Class'. There will also be some behind-the-scenes episodes with 'Doctor Who Confidential'.
Showrunner Russell T. Davies said: "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 eight 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!"
Episodes from Doctor Who’s extensive back catalogue of classic programmes will join the post 2005 revival of the show, available for fans to watch on iPlayer for the first time, and enabling them to revisit the Doctor’s formative adventures and some of the series greatest moments. This includes 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, including '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.
Dan McGolpin, Director of iPlayer and channels, said: “'Doctor Who' has captivated countless millions of viewers on the BBC for 60 years and in celebration of this special moment we are bringing classic series to BBC iPlayer for the first time. Fans will be able to enjoy many of the Doctor’s earliest adventures with William Hartnell right through to the very latest series and the soon to be released and tremendously exciting new anniversary specials with David Tennant. We want everyone to be able to enjoy this breath-taking back catalogue, so we are making each episode on iPlayer as accessible as possible, with subtitles, audio description, and sign language all available for the first time.”
A new online archive will launch at bbc.co.uk/doctorwho, so fans of the show can delve deeper into Doctor Who’s history than ever before.
In its early stages, this new site will feature curated journeys through the archive to bring the show’s extensive history to life for fans – with items like interviews with cast members, news pieces, audio, imagery, and written documents.
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 episodes will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer on November 1 ahead of David Tennant's return to 'Doctor Who' as the Fourteenth Doctor in three specials to mark the anniversary along with Catherine Tate, who is reprising her role as Donna Noble.
Tagged in David Tennant Tom Baker