BBC Worldwide Canada and SPACE announced today the completion of a deal for the four new specials from DOCTOR WHO, television’s longest running science fiction series and a global phenomenon, and the highly anticipated, third installment of hit spin-off series, TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH. The deal means SPACE will have the exclusive first window to the DOCTOR WHO 2009 SPECIALS (4 x 60), the final four adventures of the tenth Time Lord David Tennant, as well as the five-part television event TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH.

The first of the 2009 specials, DOCTOR WHO: PLANET OF THE DEAD, premieres this July. As a London red bus takes a detour to an alien world it forces the Doctor (Tennant) to work with the extraordinary Lady Christina (Michelle Ryan, BIONIC WOMAN). But the mysterious planet holds terrifying secrets hidden in the sand and time is running out as the deadly Swarm gets closer.

TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH also premieres this July. It is one epic story told over five episodes as Captain Jack (John Barrowman), Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) and Ianto Jones (Gareth David-Lloyd) come to terms with the death of their closest friends. They are faced with their fiercest threat to date – one which throws the future of Torchwood and the entire human race spiralling into danger. Special guests Peter Capaldi (In The Loop), Paul Copely (CORONATION STREET, THE BILL) and Liz May Brice (BAD GIRLS, THE BILL) join returning cast members Kai Owen and Tom Price.

Fraser Robinson, Director of Content, SPACE said: “We are thrilled to enter into this partnership with the BBC to deliver TORCHWOOD and DOCTOR WHO to audiences across Canada. These shows are a great fit for our channel and the BBC’s ongoing support of their properties makes for an ideal joint venture.”

Commenting on the deal, Hilary Read, COO BBC Worldwide Canada said: “I’m delighted that these internationally renowned brands have found the perfect home in Canada.” The deal was brokered by Rachel Goldstein-Couto at SPACE and Hilary Read and her programme sales team at BBC Worldwide Canada.

DOCTOR WHO: THE WATERS OF MARS is the second special and along with the two additional untitled specials will premiere later in 2009 and early 2010. The writers are Russell T Davies and Gareth Roberts (THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES) with Executive Producers Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner (TORCHWOOD, LIFE ON MARS).

TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH is created and written by Russell T Davies with writers John Fay (CLOCKING OFF, CORONATION STREET) and James Moran. Executive Producers are Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner.

The DOCTOR WHO specials and TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF THE EARTH are both directed by Euros Lyn, are BBC productions and distributed by BBC Worldwide Canada.

The deal also includes DOCTOR WHO Seasons 1-4, DOCTOR WHO: RUNAWAY BRIDE and DOCTOR WHO: THE CHRISTMAS INVASION SPECIALS, which will arrive to the channel in March 2010. The DOCTOR WHO: VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED special will begin its SPACE licence in April 2010. An earlier deal with SPACE gave the channel rights to the first two seasons of TORCHWOOD and the DOCTOR WHO: THE NEXT DOCTOR special.