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BBC America to show social media on 'Doctor Who' reruns
The latest season of the time-travelling Doctor is all wrapped up, so what should you be doing while you wait for his next adventures? Watching reruns with a sprinkling of social media, apparently. BBC America will soon be rebroadcasting season 9 as "Doctor's Notes," which are essentially regular episodes with fan-made commentary layered on top. They'll include quirky tweets, rambling Tumblr posts, exceptional Instagram fan art and Facebook babble. The BBC says it'll then be coupling these with its own facts and storyboards to keep longtime fans entertained.
Dijit collaborates with 11 TV networks to remind you to watch their shows
Say you're surfing around online and come upon an interesting promo for a new TV show. You could stop what you're doing, find the show on your DVR and hit record, but most likely you'll just make yourself a little mental note to catch it later. The problem with mental notes, of course, is that they're often forgotten. Dijit, however, aims to change that by collaborating with broadcast and cable TV networks to incorporate NextGuide-powered reminder buttons on their websites. The reminder buttons have been in testing since August, but the official rollout is today. Eleven companies are on board so far, three of which are BBC America, Fox and truTV. If you go to one of the network's show pages, you'll see a "Remind Me" button with a small alarm clock icon. Click that, and you can sign up for an email or Facebook reminder that'll arrive a half hour before the show airs. If you just don't have the time to watch it then, the message'll also have a one-click "record to DVR" option with participating providers (Comcast, DirecTV and Dish are the only ones for now). Of course, there's nothing to remind you to hit the reminder button in the first place, so maybe make a, er, mental note of this going forward. Head past the break for the PR or hit the source for more info on how to sign up for the service.
BBC America going social with The Stig via branded 'Top Gear' Twitter video
Remember that whole Twitter-sanctioned "in-Tweet branded video" BBC America hinted at back in April? Well, we've got some more info -- and it's coming a few hours ahead of the partnership's debut. Tonight's BBC America premier of Top Gear will feature supplementary Twitter video synced to the show, including the "Stig Cam," which offers "a new perspective" from the masked and anonymous driver. Also on the docket is an "Action Replay," featuring a highlight from the evening's festivities and a "sneak peak" involving a hovercraft, as well as a dirt bike jumping off a building. All in a day's work. You can get in on the action tonight at 8:30 / 7:30 central.
BBC America, Twitter reach first 'in-tweet branded video' deal for a TV series
Now that Twitter Music has been revealed there will be more anticipation of potential TV integration, and it appears BBC America will be among the first to participate. The network, which is owned both by BBC Worldwide (the Beeb's commercial arm) and Discovery Communications, sent out a tweet saying it's signed up to "offer 1st in-Tweet branded video synced to entertainment TV series." Its Tumblr page promises details to come, however so far there have been no further updates. We were told by the network that the deal has "literally just been signed", and to expect more info in the coming weeks. This sounds similar to deals with Viacom and NBC that were rumored a few days ago, but what shape this may all take by the time it arrives remains to be seen.
ThinkGeek's Mark VII Sonic Screwdriver universal remote pleases Whovians in time for Comic-Con
Ever wished you too could make use of the awesome powers that lie within Dr. Matt Smith's Mark VII Sonic Screwdriver? Well, it's still not exactly a reality in the way of the space-bred handyman's gadget seen on Doctor Who, but ThinkGeek and The Wand Company have you covered if an IR-packing replica universal remote sounds good enough. This BBC-licensed Mark VII remote handles up to 39 commands that are all controlled using 13 different motion gestures. Of course, if controlling the likes of TV and AV devices in an extraterrestrial fashion just isn't your thing, there's always ThinkGeek's Sonic Screwdriver flashlight, right? There's no word on price just yet, but San Diego Comic-Con attendees can try it out first-hand at the BBC America Booth (#3629) starting July 12. The Mark VII remote is set to go sale for $99 at ThinkGeek's website on August 31st, so for now we'll direct you to the press release after the break. Update: Video demo added after the break. [Thanks, Alan]
Top Gear Season 14 & 15 coming to Blu-ray January 15th
Top Gear UK fans in the US can mark their calendars, the last two seasons of the show were filmed in HD and will make their debut on Blu-ray next year. Season 14 is on three discs and includes the South America Special for its $29.99 MSRP while season 15 is on two discs and promises plenty of outtakes and special features with a $24.99 MSRP. They're scheduled for release on January 15, 2011, until then we'll have to get by with the US version on History Channel and whatever episodes we can wrangle out of the PlayStation Network.
BBC America HD launches on TWC in NYC
It's taken nearly a month, but finally someone can see BBC America HD, as the channel has launched on Time Warner Cable in New York City, as part of a channel reshuffling that also brought HSN HD, Headline News HD, Outdoor Channel HD and Turner Classic Movies HD to subscribers. We'll have to check the schedule to see if Primeval, Dr. Who and Torchwood re-airs are on deck for the original launch slate, but in the meantime we'll just settle for catching Being Human at its best.[Thanks, Eric]
BBC America promises HD feed announcements "soon"
As we mentioned, BBC America's HD launch hasn't gone off with quite the bang we'd hoped, since it isn't carried anywhere yet. We called over to find out what's going on or even what resolution the channel will use (we're assuming 1080i, since it's distributed by Discovery) and only heard that they are in negotiations, and Multichannel News is hearing carriage agreements will be announced "soon." With Being Human and Dr. Who set to premiere this weekend, we really don't think there is such a thing as soon enough.[Thanks, Michael]
CBS, Comcast On Demand Online partnership faces off premium vs. free internet streaming; 17 cable channels jump onboard
After stocking up on premium networks with HBO and Starz, Comcast's On Demand Online project has added its first broadcast TV partner, CBS. One of the worries regarding TV Everywhere / On Demand Online has been what it would mean for free streaming portals like Hulu, with broadcasters potentially shifting content behind pay-tv walls to keep people from dropping cable and satellite TV subscriptions. CBS has been the notable Hulu holdout, although it has also pushed forward with free streaming on its website, including March Madness and even upping the resolution of its Flash video to 1080p. Further conflicting the issue? 17 more cable networks (A&E, AMC, BBC America, DIY Network, Fine Living Network, Food Network, Hallmark, HGTV, History, IFC, MGM Impact, Sundance Channel, WE tv, E!, The Style Network, G4 and FEARnet) have also announced plans to join the 5,000 subscriber trial. Just like the previous agreements, it appears customers should expect access during the trial to reflect a lot of what CBS and the others already offer through standard VOD but now with more placeshifting goodness. While media execs watch the bottom line, we're just hoping the stated CBS strategy of "open, non-exclusive distribution of our content in a consumer friendly way" (from the press release, available in full after the break) could push Hulu to add more HD, or at least unblock the PlayStation 3 & Windows Mobile.
BBC America HD launch July 20 brings plenty of science fiction starting with Torchwood & Dr. Who
After (in our opinion) a too long delay, BBC America is ready to launch its HD simulcast July 20, getting things kicked off with a load of science fiction programming for the summer. Torchwood: Children of Earth is scheduled as the first HD offering, with five consecutive nights of the new season to get things going before the season finale of Primeval shows its stuff in high definition along with the U.S. premiere of Being Human. That's all just a tease until the Sunday, July 26 U.S. premiere of Dr. Who: Planet of the Dead. Of course, in this day and age more than a few may have turned to the internet to catch quality UK television long before the programmes air here, but until iPlayer HD comes across the pond everyone else can look forward to getting their BBC re-airs in the quality they were intended - here's hoping for Top Gear HD next.Full press release and details are after the break.
BBC America shows added to iTunes Store
American anglophiles, rejoice! Three BBC America shows have just been added to the iTunes Store line up. The shows are: Torchwood (Series 1 and 2) Little Britain (Series 3 only) Robin Hood (Series 2 only) A good start, I would say but I'm holding out for Bargain Hunt and How Clean is Your House? Oh, and that show about that doctor would be nice too.All the BBC America shows cost the usual $1.99 with the entire seasons ranging in price.Thanks, Theo.
