cmf@cwruecmp.UUCP (Carl Fongheiser) (04/24/85)
I recently got a hold of this information, and thought I better pass it on:
27 March 1985
TO: All DOCTOR WHO fans, PBS-TV, and other interested parties.
RE: Update on DOCTOR WHO cancellation.
Hello, Everyone!
This is an update on the proposed hiatus/cancellation of DOCTOR WHO. As of
March 27, 1985, the BBC is proposing a definite cancellation of DOCTOR WHO in
England! Technically, the show is on an 18-month hiatus until Fall of 1986.
It will then return for a 23rd season, after which it will be cancelled perm-
anently. The BBC recently raised the licensing fee to 58 pounds. Now they
believe that they have gotten all the mileage they can out of the show and will
try to cancel it after the 23rd season. They are also trying to circumvent John
Nathan-Turner's contract in order to fire him or get him to resign. They have
done this sort of thing before with BLAKE 7. They took it off the air for a
year, brought it back for one season, and then cancelled it. I have been given
some updated names and addresses to write to:
Alisdair Milne- Stuart Young
Director-General Chairman
BBC-T.V. BBC-T.V.
Broadcasting House Same as Milne
Portland Place
London W1A 1AA England
BBC-T.V.
These names below all go to the same address: Wood Lane
White City
London W12 7RJ England
Michael Grade Jonathan Powell Bill Cotton Brian Wenham
Controller-BBC1 Head of Drama Serials Managing Direc. Director of Programming
Please write to the above people and KEEP WRITING. The inflow of mail to the
BBC about this situation has begun to wane. The BBC are beginning to believe
that interest in the show's future is dying. We have to convince them that this
is not true! Many of you who have already written may have received a form
letter stating the intentions of the BBC. The situation has changed since those
letters were sent out.
I reiterate what the first newsletter said about writing protest mail:
1. Keep your letter original.
2. Send your letter in a long, business-sized envelope.
3. DO NOT write DOCTOR WHO on the outside of the envelope and DO NOT write
to the producer or the stars of the show.
4. DO keep your letter rational and to the point. Be calm. We KNOW we can
save the show!
5. WRITE NOW and KEEP WRITING! Every few weeks, send another letter. That
will make sure the BBC knows we care about DOCTOR WHO. Your letter counts.
I say again, if every fan of DOCTOR WHO wrote just one letter, we would
never be able to find the BBC offices under the avalanche of mail.
Make copies of this updated information and post it in schools, libraries,
etc. PBS stations should make announcements since DOCTOR WHO is one of your
biggest pledge-makers.
The situation is becoming desperate! WRITE NOW!
BBC Complaint Dept:
BBC Duty Office - 011-44-1-580-4468
Main Switchboard - 011-44-1-743-8000