BBC Axes "Doctor Who Confidential"

The BBC have confirmed that the final "Doctor Who Confidential" will air following "The Wedding of River Song" on BBC3 as usual. Reasons are many and varied but the official line is that it is being axed as part of their "ongoing cuts" program. It is also known that the BBC Controller, Zai Bennett, favours original commission programmes. Here's the release on the BBC Doctor Who website:

For the past seven years, Doctor Who Confidential has put you at the heart of Doctor Who, providing a unique insight into the stars, the show and the entire production.

This journey reaches a fitting finale on Saturday when Doctor Who Confidential premiers a brand new mini-adventure starring Matt Smith as the Doctor. Viewers have seen the story, Death is the Only Answer, being made, watching the entire process from script to screen. Saturday's episode, entitled When Time Froze, also includes the ultimate feature on River Song, with Alex Kingston providing a brilliant timeline of everyone's favourite time travelling archaeologist.

The Confidential team captured the rebirth of the show back in 2005 and for over half a decade they have given an unsurpassed, access-all-areas insight not just into Doctor Who, but the magic and mechanics of making successful drama. From an episode directed by David Tennant, to the special edition that broke the news that Matt Smith would be the Eleventh Doctor, Doctor Who Confidential has always delivered the very best in must-see behind-the-scenes action.

A spokeswoman for the BBC said: "Doctor Who Confidential has been a great show for BBC3 over the years but our priority now is to build on original British commissions, unique to the channel."

Such a shame - although the focus is on "original commissions", surely note should be taken of what the viewers of BBC3 actually enjoy? "Doctor Who Confidential" gets great ratings for BBC3. Sad to see it go - but let's enjoy the final one on Saturday.

The Guardian article

BBC Doctor Who Site News