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ValueSubtracted@startrek.website

Is it time to rethink the broadcast format of Doctor Who? (kbin.earth)

submitted 3 weeks ago by haverholm@kbin.earth to c/doctorwho@startrek.website

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This past year since the show was last on the air, I've been rewatching a bunch of classic serials, and quite enjoying the longer format. It's delightful to have big chunks of story developing over several episodes, not unlike the double (or rare triple) whammys we've had in the modern show.

It's got me thinking, given the difficulties the BBC seem to have shouldering the expense of producing Doctor Who these days — wouldn't it be feasible to release one or two multi-episode "event" series per year, one finished story each, plus a holiday special?

Altogether they could land at eight or less episodes a year, with lower production costs (say, locations and casting) across each serial. I'm sure there are still quarries and stately manors that weren't used during Tom Baker's stint, or deserve a revisit...

Maybe it will even be more realistic to fit a few blocks of shooting in between the main cast's other engagements, and we could have a steady TARDIS team for (gasp!) three years or more?

Yeah, I'm reaching. Anything would be better than this current "hurry up and wait" BS.

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[–] haverholm@kbin.earth 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I was hoping the shorter production batches might eliminate the show disappearing off screens for years. In a lean season maybe there would be a single four-episode serial and a holiday special? But with enough traction to at least hit the December mark, I could see a year go by without a multi-parter, and the show remaining in the public consciousness.

But, let's be serious. Shows like Who and Trek can be off screens for a decade and still be relevant to viewers. With 60+ years of TV and film presence available on streaming or physical media (and despite the BBC's eccentricities cincerning international streaming deals), I'm fairly confident their cultural cache will tide them over.

All that said, and with the amount of DW media that I've hoarded for myself, I still want to see regular, new material. If that realistically turns out to be one serial in spring, one in autumn, and one xmas special for the casuals — you know, I could live with that.

[–] ValueSubtracted@startrek.website 2 points 3 weeks ago

I’m fairly confident their cultural cache will tide them over.

There was a time I would have agreed, no question. But lately...the seismic shifts in pop culture have been so significant, I legitimately have no idea.

At the every least, I think the back catalogue would have to be actively marketed - simply existing doesn't seem to be enough any more.