Doctor Who listed incorrectly

Doctor Who is under a new production company and is restarting their season numbering. They’ve officially ended Doctor Who (2005-2022), and they’re now beginning Doctor Who (2023-). Somebody needs to fix this on IMDb as it currently lists the new episodes as season 14, but there is no Season 14 in the 2005 show. That should be Season 1 of 2023!

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Accepted Solution

Official Response

Ozzy

Employee

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1.9K Messages

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19.6K Points

10 months ago

Hi all,

Thank you for your patience whilst this issue was being reviewed.

We can now confirm that a new parent series page has been created for Doctor Who (2024-). All episodes for the previous series are now listed as expected and the Connections page for the new series page has been updated.

Cheers!

MitchellK

12 Messages

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244 Points

@Ozzy hey, that’s great news! The only thing I noticed that I think needs to be changed is that the 2023 specials that released on Disney+ should actually be considered part of the new show, especially the Christmas Special, “The Church on Ruby Road”.

The BBC distinguishes the shows on their websites as “Doctor Who (2005-2022)” and “Doctor Who (2023-)”.

Thanks so much for your work on this!

10 months ago

Roybridge

4 Messages

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100 Points

@Ozzy - surely the parent series page should be "Doctor Who (2023-)" to match what the BBC have released?

If you go their series page at https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0gglvqn/doctor-who-2023 it clearly states "2023" as the starting point. The 4 episodes already aired under this should become specials.

10 months ago

Ozzy

Employee

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1.9K Messages

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19.6K Points

Hi all,

Thank you for your above feedback on the new parent series page listing for Doctor Who.

We have now made the appropriate changes to the episode listing for Doctor Who (2023-) to match the BBC's current listing. We will continue to monitor how this series and its episodes will be marketed up until and upon the release of the new season in May.

I hope this helps!

10 months ago

MitchellK

12 Messages

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244 Points

@Ozzy that’s great to see! Thanks again for taking all of the feedback on this!

10 months ago

Jamo26

12 Messages

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168 Points

@Ozzy

while Russell T Davies and BBC are referring to the Series as “Season 1” this is purely for marketing reasons and mostly to do with Disney +. It is still technically Series 14, at no point as it been said that Series 13 was the last series of Doctor Who and and no point has it been said one series has ended and another has started. Therefore it seems odd to list to start a new listing. This also goes for having things like “The Night of the Doctor” having its own page when it’s part of the series and a mini episode. Is it possible to review the decision to create a separate page?

10 months ago

Roybridge

4 Messages

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100 Points

@Jamo26 technicality or not, the BBC and Russell T Davis have clearly decided that this will be classed as a new show, and given the rumours that these new episodes are going to be more fantasy than science-fiction, then I for one am of the opinion that it's a good move.

10 months ago

MitchellK

12 Messages

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244 Points

@Jamo26 absolutely not. The BBC has definitively separated it as a “new” show, just as they did when they started Doctor Who (2005-2022) as Series 1. We don’t call that show Season 27-39 of Doctor Who (1963-).

We have Seasons 1-26 of Doctor Who (1963-1989), Series 1-13 of Doctor Who (2005-2022), and now Season 1 and beyond of Doctor Who (2023-).

10 months ago

Marco

2.8K Messages

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83.7K Points

@MitchellK Just out of curiosity, why do you feel it is (so) important how the BBC feels about this? IMDb is not owned by the BBC so IMDb can list it however they want and you are allowed to have your own idea about whether or not something is a new series or a continuation of an already existing series, regardless of how the BBC or IMDb feels about it.

I personally have never seen anything regarding Doctor Who, so I can't say anything definitive about this, but in general, I find a significant gap in time a good (potential) reason to consider something a new series. So in the case of Doctor Who (1963-1989) and Doctor Who (2005-2022), it doesn't come across as strange to me that they are listed as two series. Obviously, the gap in time can't be the reason to consider this new season a new show, so it must be something else. IIUC, there have been several actors who have portrayed the Doctor and that never seems to have been a reason for anybody to consider a new season a new show, so that can't be it either.

As I've said earlier in this thread, there might be a very good reason, or even several good reasons, to consider the new season a new show. But up until now, the only reason I've seen in this thread (and yes, I know IMDb uses this argument as well) is "some people who happen to work on this show say so". Not really the best argument ever I would say, especially if those people who work on this show don't care to explain why they feel the way they do.

(edited)

10 months ago

Jamo26

12 Messages

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168 Points

@MitchellK It isn’t a separate show though. BTS image of a script as “Series 14” on it. When Matt Smith took over in 2010, the BBC also tried to market Series 5 as Season 1. It’s purely a marketing tactic to attract new viewers.

If anything Doctor Who should be listed as one title that encompasses all episodes from 1963 to now and labelled as Season 1 (1963-64) to Season 40 (2023).

8 months ago

Ozzy

Employee

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1.9K Messages

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19.6K Points

1 year ago

Hi @MitchellK,

Thank you for your problem report.

I have filed a ticket (ref. #D106040478) with the appropriate team so that this can be looked into and the appropriate changes made. I will provide any updates to this thread as and when I receive them.

Cheers!

(edited)

Marco

2.8K Messages

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83.7K Points

@Ozzy Why would a new title be in order if the only change is the production company?

1 year ago

MitchellK

12 Messages

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244 Points

@Marco Because they’ve reset back to Season One

1 year ago

speller

1 Message

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60 Points

The BBC list Doctor Who as three separate series

Doctor Who (1963–1996) https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0ggwr8l/doctor-who-19631996

Doctor Who (2005-2022) https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b006q2x0/doctor-who

Doctor Who (2023-) https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0gglvqn/doctor-who-2023

1 year ago

Marco

2.8K Messages

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83.7K Points

@speller and @MitchellK : I don't see how that plays an important role. If the BBC would start calling it an animated series on their site, would you consider it to be an animation series?

I don't know Doctor Who (it's on my list of things to explore though) but there might be a good reason or even several good reasons to consider the new season a totally new series. I just fail to see why someone simply saying so is a good reason.

1 year ago

Lenonn

6 Messages

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158 Points

1 year ago

Some of the extra Doctor Who videos are not considered episodes and are under their own titles. However the date given in the title information is incorrect, many are given the year of 2005 (when the series was revived), instead of the release year. These entries for these have the correct release year, but there is a discrepancy in the data.

See Clara and the TARDIS for example (released in 2013). I tried to change the year but get the "The year in the new title must match the year in the old title" message, and no matter what I put in the explanation field will allow me to submit the proper information. Also see The Great Detective, which has the same problem and won't allow for the submission of the proper information.

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled "The year in the new title must match" problem

BelMario

3 Messages

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90 Points

1 year ago

Check out Doctor Who on BBC iPlayer:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b006q2x0/doctor-who?seriesId=m00116r6

The page shows 13 seasons, ending with the S13 special "The Power of the Doctor". To view the recent 60th anniversary specials, you need to click on "More Like This", where you'll discover "Doctor Who (2023-)" on the same level as the OG "Doctor Who (1963-1996)". This is a clear indication that the 60th anniversary specials are the first episodes of a new Doctor Who era, coinciding with the start of the collaboration with Disney.

This ScreenRant article confirms the franchise reboot:

https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-season-14-ncuti-gatwa-numbering-change/

The 15th Doctor's first season will not be season 14, but season 1 of a new Doctor Who era. That means it's time to consider the current Doctor Who era has officially ended: "Doctor Who (2005-2022)". A new page should be created for the new era "Doctor Who (2023-)", and the 60th anniversary specials (The Star Beast, Wild Blue Yonder, The Giggle) should be moved there.

Long live Doctor Who! Both of them!

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Doctor Who Franchise Reboot

Ozzy

Employee

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1.9K Messages

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19.6K Points

1 year ago

Hi all,

Thank you for your reports on the title page for Doctor Who.

We will not be making any changes to the title's listing at this time. We will revisit this decision closer to the release date of the new series, when we are likely to have more definitive information about how the series and episodes will be officially categorized.

Thanks!

MitchellK

12 Messages

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244 Points

I think the BBC listing is pretty definitive considering it’s their show. Continuing to list the upcoming season as Season 14 is going to confuse and deter viewers!

1 year ago

MitchellK

12 Messages

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244 Points

@Ozzy New teaser trailer for “SEASON 1”: https://youtu.be/RlyPLWz-e1U?si=oL-Jw97Sla3hIOrI

1 year ago

Roybridge

4 Messages

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100 Points

@Ozzy - the BBC are now advertising this as "Doctor Who (2023-)". Please can the team re-visit this.

1 year ago

Roybridge

4 Messages

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100 Points

1 year ago

Russell T. Davies has clearly stated “The New Who era (2005-2022) is now over…” and Davies confirmed that Doctor Who Series 14 will not only mark a return to “season” terminology, but also restart the show’s chronology from scratch, too. “Next year, Season 1,” he said. “Yes, we’re calling it Season 1.”

if you look at BBC iPlayer, the latest release is listed as “Doctor Who (2023-)”

MitchellK

12 Messages

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244 Points

1 year ago

New teaser trailer for “SEASON 1”: https://youtu.be/RlyPLWz-e1U?si=oL-Jw97Sla3hIOrI

Jamo26

12 Messages

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168 Points

7 months ago

Doctor Who’s latest series as been separated into its own entry due to the decision of the BBC and Disney to market the series as “season 1” in order to attract viewers. While this is purely for marketing reasons, and is still considered to be series 14 of Doctor Who (2005-2022), it seems odd to create a separate entry. Having one for the classic series (1963-1989) and the modern series made sense as they are different shows, being separated by 16 years, but it seems unnecessary to create a separate entry for the RTD2 era.

However, in order to solve this issue, what about combining the three Doctor Who pages into one? And have a single entry titled Doctor Who (1963-present) which lists everything from season 1 (1963-64) to season 40 (2024).

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Doctor Who should be listed as One singular entry and not Three

martin_695862

631 Messages

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13.9K Points

I would say that all the seasons, right from 1963, should be under a single title. There is a precedent: both the original ITV and the later BBC seasons of Auf Wiedersehen Pet are listed as a single title, and that was for seasons made and shown by different companies.

8 months ago

Jamo26

12 Messages

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168 Points

I just think it makes sense as otherwise it’s going to get a bit ridiculous with the amount of separate pages that will get created. In a few years times when the 16th Doctor comes along are the BBC and Disney going to want to reset the number again? By making it all one listing it limits confusion and makes it feel like one show.

8 months ago

martin_695862

631 Messages

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13.9K Points

@Jamo26 That reminds me of the mess that is the current seasons of Casualty. Episodes are listed in IMDB and by some listings magazines and sites as <season number>.<episode number>, as they always have been. But BBC on iPlayer have invented mini-seasons (of a few episodes) and given them names and they have numbered episodes starting at 1 for each of those named seasons. At least one "named season" transcends season.episode numbering: it includes episodes at the end of one numbered season and the beginning of another season.

But starting a completely new title, for new seasons of Doctor Who seems perverse, given the precedent of Auf Wiedersehn Pet.

I wonder what exact criteria IMDB use to decide whether to start a new title or to continue with the existing title, when there is a gap of many years, maybe with new cast and maybe even different production and "distribution" company as in the Auf Wiedesehen Pet case.

8 months ago

Jamo26

12 Messages

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168 Points

It would be interesting to know the criteria yes as well as how to bring this issue to their attention as I feel like combining the series now will solve issues in the long run.

8 months ago

Who63

2 Messages

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70 Points

4 months ago

I’ve seen that Doctor Who has several different IMDb listings with the 60th specials and Ncuti Gatwa’s first series have a new page. I know it’s referred to as “season 1” but that’s just for marketing and more to do with the Disney + deal, with them not wanting to start listing from series 14. Just seems unnecessary to create a new page in my opinion for what is the next season. It’s not a new show, Doctor Who 2005-2022 is the same series as Doctor Who 2023-present.

It’s also confusing for users having to jump between pages. It’s frustrating enough already having the classic series and new Who on separate pages. Is this something that can be fixed? Merging the 2005-2022 page with the 2023-present page. Or even merging all three pages!

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Doctor Who “Season 1” Merge

a_b_8020912

11 Messages

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214 Points

2 months ago

Why are there two separate IMDb pages for the 2005–present Doctor Who program?

The 2023–present series is not a separate program/series. It is still the same series.

The two separate pages:

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt31433814/

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0436992/

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Two separate pages for Doctor Who

Fran

Employee

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2.6K Messages

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26.6K Points

Hello a_b_8020912,

As we mention in our Title Formatting guidelines:

Here are some of the criteria to consider when trying to define whether a series should be listed as one or two titles: the length of time that has passed between the seasons, significant changes to the credits including production details, how the series is marketed when released and perceived by the public and if there were any changes to the primary title. If you are uncertain how to categorize a title (series, TV movie, theatrical, etc.), please see this guide.

2 months ago

Marco

2.8K Messages

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83.7K Points

@Fran As you say, IMDb states 4 criteria for deciding whether or not it should be one series or not.

In this particular case, AFAIK, only a part of the third criterium ("how the series is marketed when released and perceived by the public") is applicable. (I say a part because the new season is marketed as a new series, but it is not perceived as such by the whole public. I think that if there was no marketing around the new season claiming it was a new series, literally nobody in the public would perceive the new season as a new series).

Does this mean that 1 (or even half) out of the 4 criteria is enough to make a new season a new series?

Also, it seems to me that not all criteria should carry the same weight. Do they? To give an example: I think the first-mentioned criterium of the length of time that has passed between the seasons should be the most important criterium. Perhaps followed by a change to the primary title.

2 months ago

ACT_1

8.6K Messages

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176.8K Points

@Marco 😀

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