Doctor Who: "Into Darkness"

The latest trailer for Doctor Who S8 debuted during halftime in the World Cup final between Germany and Argentina in Brazil.



Familiar foes return including Davros (creator of the Daleks), Cybermen and, in a nod to the Third Doctor adventure Invasion of the Dinosaurs, a T-Rex.

Last week, BBC chiefs were forced to make an appeal to fans to keep the plot of the upcoming series a secret after scripts were leaked online.

The material had reportedly been made public after the documents were sent to employees at the new BBC Worldwide Latin America headquarters in Miami, Florida for translation.

A statement released by BBC executives read: "Unfinished material has inadvertently been made public. We deeply regret this and apologize to all the show's fans, the BBC and the cast and crew who have worked tirelessly making the series.

"We would like to make a plea to anyone who might have any of this material and spoilers associated with it not to share it with a wider audience so that everyone can enjoy the show as it should be seen when it launches.

"We know only too well that Doctor Who fans are the best in the world, and we thank them for their help with this and their continued loyalty."

Are you excited for the new series? Let me know in the comments below.

Stream the World Cup on NOW TV Box with ITV Player

From today customers using a NOW TV Box will start to see the ITV Player app automatically download onto their device as part of a phased rollout over the coming weeks. It’s the latest and last terrestrial catch up TV service to launch on the NOW TV Box, which already offers BBC iPlayer, 4oD and Demand 5.

Customers will be able to catch up on ITV, ITV 2, ITV 3, ITV 4 and CITV from the last 30 days on their TV. This will add hours of great content available via the NOW TV Box, for no extra cost.

This summer those with a NOW TV Box can enjoy a carnival of footballing action through the app with all the drama of ITV’s 34 World Cup matches being made available on demand through ITV Player. And it doesn't stop there – never miss episodes of popular shows such as Coronation Street, Midsomer Murders or Emmerdale again.

The NOW TV Box will continue to evolve over the next month with a new software update rolling out to all devices. Customers can look forward to a refreshed homepage screen with a new look and feel, making it easier to navigate the apps available on the device and also see the arrival of the BBC Sport app.

Martin Goswami, director of pay and distribution at ITV, said: "A key part of our strategy is to make our content accessible on multiple platforms and we are delighted to be working with Roku to bring our programmes to their devices."

Ed Lee, VP content acquisition at Roku said: "ITV Player is one of the most recognized sources of programming in the UK and we're delighted to bring its premier library of popular shows to Roku customers in the UK. Our focus is always on offering the best streaming entertainment and ITV is a great addition for TV lovers."

Gidon Katz, director of NOW TV, comments: "The NOW TV Box is already great value for money and now with the addition of ITV Player there is even more great content to enjoy on your main TV. Combining World Cup action and award winning soaps with the flexibility to dip in and out of great movies, entertainment or sport from NOW TV, our little box has all bases covered."

Buy a NOW TV Box from £9.99 including postage and packaging.

The Spirit of Christmas

While I finalise the second (and last) part of my Review of the Year. Here's Google Zeitgeist 2006, which Darren Rowse, at ProBlogger, has highlighted for his readers.

Google.com - Top Searches in 2006

1. bebo
2. myspace
3. world cup
4. metacafe
5. radioblog
6. wikipedia
7. video
8. rebelde
9. mininova
10. wiki

Google News - Top Searches in 2006

1. paris hilton
2. orlando bloom
3. cancer
4. podcasting
5. hurricane katrina
6. bankruptcy
7. martina hingis
8. autism
9. 2006 nfl draft
10. celebrity big brother 2006

I hope to break the top ten by the end of next year!

Too Low For Zero

With the FIFA World Cup coverage now at saturation point! I'm inspired to impart the following football anecdote, which first appeared here.

In the summer of 1989 Dad, Uncle Allan, Mike and me watched Torquay United play Bolton Wanderers at Wembley Stadium. We'd secured VIP tickets and therefore were able to park in the VIP car park.

The guest of honor, Sir Elton John (obese, bold, pallid and dressed in what can only be described as Parson's attire), arrived in his signature black Bentley! His driver was promptly told not to park in the private members area! His royal highness, Sir Elton John, stepped out of the car. But, security were nonplussed and reiterated, to the driver (whose protestations had incensed security), to move the car or it would be towed away!!!

Whilst this was going on, I took the opportunity to ask Sir Elton for an autograph? His driver informed me that Mr Elton wasn't signing today, before returning to argue with security! Nice. I couldn't resist telling Sir Elton that I was a Michael Jackson fan! And the car was driven away!

So, there you have it, unequivocal proof that Sir Elton John is an incorrigible diva! Can't wait to meet Jennifer Lopez and Mariah Carey one day!

World In Motion

It's that time again! FIFA World Cup. Crank up your copy of New Order's World In Motion and... Altogether now... We're playing for En-ger-land...

Go Becks!

Domino Dancing

Our Spring Bank Holiday excursion to Colchester has been jam-packed!

From purchasing and successfully installing a new Freeview box without the expense of an aerial upgrade. This now enables my Grandfather to watch BBC News 24 and participate in the 'press red for interactive' conversation during the upcoming FIFA World Cup. To eating beer baked battered plaice at our Essex family's local, The Whalebone (where I went last week). Followed by KFC in the evening. Yummy!

We managed to cram in a late night movie too! The twisted bounty hunter biopic Domino starring Keira Knightley. Whilst the movie was somewhat flawed, there's no denying Keira's ability to 'do dark' with plummy aplomb and Tony Scott's visuals are tirelessly arresting!

Philips prepares for FIFA World Cup™ fever

Philips has launched its official World Cup site brimming over with great information, entertainment and a chance to win tickets to the cup!

Press Information

April 12, 2006

Philips is launching the O.G.P.F.W.C.P.C.; a chance to win tickets to the 2006 FIFA World Cup™

Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Committed to providing consumers with top-notch entertainment experiences, Philips is pleased to unveil an exciting new Preparation Center that will enable football fans across the globe to prepare for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™. Beginning of April, Philips is launching the O.G.P.F.W.C.P.C (Official Global Philips FIFA World Cup™ Preparation Center), enabling football fanatics from all countries to gain insightful information, tips and entertainment surrounding the 2006 FIFA World Cup™.

This unique Preparation Center is fully interactive, allowing visitors to “walk” through different rooms, much like a video game. While in each room, football fans will learn a variety of humorous and entertaining preparation tips pertaining to their FIFA World Cup™ experience, ranging from the best way to decorate a football home and celebrate a victory, to an online game that will award lucky fans with tickets to the 2006 FIFA World Cup™.

Philips recognizes that sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup™ are a great opportunity to bring friends and family together and, for most fans, the living room and home theatre are the central “rallying point” for enjoying the games. “With the FIFA World Cup™ being the largest sporting event in the world, Philips knows that many fans will want some help preparing for the matches and celebrations,” said Lucas Covers, Chief Marketing Officer of Philips Consumer Electronics. “The Preparation Center will provide football fans with all of the tools they need to get ready for the tournament, as well as fun and interactive games.”

While there is a “room” in the Preparation Center to meet the needs and demands of any football fan, following are some examples of the content that can be found on this site:

Goal Celebration Preparation
• In this room, visitors will see how fans around the world celebrate a goal or team victory, providing tips and ideas for fun-filled celebrations for any football fan

Prepare to win
• While visiting this room, football fans can play a football game and win tickets for FIFA World Cup™

Living Room Preparation
• The living room is the most important part of FIFA World Cup™ home viewing; while in this room, fans will learn expert tips on the best way to prepare a living room for the critical matches in June

2/… Philips is launching the Preparation Center

This site provides hours of entertainment for all football fans alike.

The Preparation Center will be live on April 12, 2006, from 18.00 pm CET and fans can experience this exciting site by visiting: www.philips.com/fifaworldcup, by clicking on the dedicated banner.

About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of $37.7 billion (EUR 30.4 billion) in 2005. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 159,200 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.