Official Word From Fox on the Doctor Who TV Film

The Official Word From FOX:

Some time ago, back in May of 1996, the FOX television network aired a new Doctor Who movie. The movie was readily accepted by fans but did poor in ratings. The below is a conversation that I had with fox in email.

My letter in eMail to Fox:

>>> "Adam (Yaboom) Kooyer" 05/22/97 03:15pm >>>

Sometime back you aired a T.V. Movie that bombed in ratings: Doctor Who. I have a few questions on FOX's intentions, if any, and opinions of where the show may end up.

1. Any plans to air the movie one more time?

Theres a rumor going around that unless you play the movie one more time, there will be no video release, nor will there be any soundtrack etc... (Not that I believe there will ever be a domestic release of either) I'm just interested in the truth.

2. What is FOX's opinion on the telefilm - Good, Bad or Ugly?

I would really like to hear the "Official FOX" opinion on the film. I want to know if they just don't believe in the idea or not. Most things come down to money in this world and I can understand if someone were to say, "It costs to dang much and we don't get ratings. And frankly, we just don't want to take any risks."

3. I heard Universal still has the rights to make another movie but won't because of some legalities. Is that true?

Any information on this subject would be welcomed.

4. Does FOX believe there is a market to be taken with this show? (Please be blunt.)

It seems that FOX owns the market for syndicated television right now. Xena, Hercules, StarTrek: NextGen, The Simpsons and Outer Limits (Highlander soon I would suppose -- or is it already in syndication?) It is shows like these that keep some people glued to the television fro 7:pm Sunday to 1:am Monday. Does FOX think that Doctor Who just wouldn't cut it? What were the X-Files ratings the first week it aired?

Fox's response from the Scheduling Department:

Subject: Doctor Who Questions -Reply
Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 21:19:15 -0700
From: Ask FOX (ASKFOX@foxinc.com)

DR. WHO was ordered and aired as a one-time-only made-for-TV movie. We do have the rights to repeat this title one more time over the next 2-3 years. Stay tuned.

Unfortunately, there will be NO new series or more movies.

As for the other stuff (ie. Universal, etc.) we would have NO idea.

FOX "Leases" its programs from the "owners" (the producers). The owners have ALL control over the product they lease out. You will have to ask the producers your other questions. I believe the producers were the BBC.

We liked the movie creatively very much but were extremely disappointed in its ratings performance. And I'm not just speaking about the ratings you read in your local paper. We look at SEVERAL things...like how it performed from half-hour to half hour (DR. WHO decreased - which is extremely unusual for even a bad movie), how it performed compared to the promotion it received (poorly in comparison to other movies with similar promotion), etc.

FYI: X-FILES' Premiere episode delivered a 19 share - which is SPECTACULAR!!! X-FILES average this year (its biggest year) was a 24 share - not too far off (the constant false rumors that X-FILES performed poorly in its first season were total fabrication). DR. WHO delivered a 7 share.

Thanks for writing

MJ FOX Scheduling

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