Why is An Unearthly Child not on iPlayer? Where to Watch An Unearthly Child?
by Madhumitha
Updated Nov 08, 2023
Why is An Unearthly Child not on iPlayer?
In October 2023, the BBC announced that the classic Doctor Who episode "An Unearthly Child" wouldn't be available on its iPlayer service the next month, along with other Doctor Who episodes. This decision was made because the BBC didn't have the complete copyright for the episode. The son of the show's original writer, Stef Coburn, mentioned that he withdrew the licensing rights due to disagreements over compensation.
In the past, he had asked for recognition and compensation for his father's work, but back then, he didn't want to withdraw the rights. In 2023, Stef Coburn expressed strong disapproval of the show's direction and criticized the casting of certain actors, stating that his father would be unhappy with the changes made over the years.
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Where to Watch An Unearthly Child?
You can watch "An Unearthly Child," the very first Doctor Who story, in a few different places. It's not available on BBC iPlayer. You can find it on BritBox and via a plug-in to the service on ITVX. Additionally, you can purchase individual episodes on the Apple Store for £1.89 each, including "An Unearthly Child," "The Cave of Skulls," "The Forest of Fear," and "The Firemaker."
It's also available on Amazon's Prime Video, where you can buy individual episodes for £1.89 each or the full season for £5.99. However, "An Unearthly Child" is not on Netflix, as Doctor Who content is not currently available on that platform.
An Unearthly Child
"An Unearthly Child," also known as "100,000 BC," is the very first story of the British science fiction TV series, Doctor Who. It first aired in four parts from November 23 to December 14, 1963. The story, created by Australian writer Anthony Coburn, introduces William Hartnell as the First Doctor, along with his original companions: Carole Ann Ford as Susan Foreman, and Jacqueline Hill and William Russell as school teachers Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton.
The first episode reveals how Ian and Barbara stumble upon the Doctor and his time-traveling ship, the TARDIS, in a junkyard in London. The rest of the story takes place among warring Stone Age groups who have forgotten how to make fire. Doctor Who was created to bridge the gap between children's and young adult TV shows by Canadian producer Sydney Newman, with contributions from Donald Wilson and C. E. Webber.
Verity Lambert was the show's pioneering producer, and Waris Hussein directed the serial. Although the show faced challenges and delays during production, it eventually premiered, albeit overshadowed by the Kennedy assassination. The initial reception was mixed, but in hindsight, it's regarded more favorably, with adaptations and home media releases over the years.
An Unearthly Child Plot
In the plot of "An Unearthly Child," teachers Ian and Barbara are worried about their pupil, Susan, who seems different. When they visit her home, they discover a strange police box and hear Susan's voice inside. An elderly man, Susan's grandfather, stops them from entering the police box.
However, they force their way in and find a vast control room inside the tiny box. Susan reveals that the object is a time and space machine called the TARDIS, and they are exiles from their own planet. The Doctor, as they call him, takes off in the TARDIS, and it travels back in time to the Stone Age.
There, they encounter a primitive tribe led by Za, who is struggling to make fire. If he fails, another named Kal will become the leader. The Doctor is captured when he tries to help with fire-making, and Ian, Barbara, and Susan are also imprisoned. They manage to escape with the help of Old Mother but are recaptured.
The tribe threatens to sacrifice them if they can't make fire. Ian ultimately succeeds, and Za becomes the leader. Susan discovers a trick to make skulls appear alive with fire, and they use this to escape to the TARDIS. They travel through time and space to a mysterious forest, not realizing that the radiation meter in the TARDIS shows a "Danger" reading.
An Unearthly Child Review
The review of "An Unearthly Child" is mostly positive. Although it had a mixed reception when it first aired, many people now view it favorably. This very first Doctor Who story introduces the iconic TARDIS and the Doctor's time-traveling adventures.
While it faced some challenges during production and was overshadowed by historical events like the Kennedy assassination, it has become a cherished part of the show's history. The story's mix of a school setting, a mysterious time-travel machine, and a journey back to the Stone Age makes it a memorable and important beginning for the long-running Doctor Who series.
Why is An Unearthly Child not on iPlayer - FAQs
"An Unearthly Child" is not on iPlayer due to rights and licensing issues related to the show's content.
You can watch "An Unearthly Child" on BritBox, the Apple Store for individual episode purchases, and Amazon's Prime Video as individual episodes or a full season.
You can find "An Unearthly Child" on DVD within a boxset trilogy featuring the first three Doctor Who stories. However, it is not available on Blu-ray as the first season has not been released in that format.
No, "An Unearthly Child" is not available on Netflix, and Doctor Who content is not currently accessible on the platform.
Yes, the unaired pilot's recording of the first episode is available on BritBox, along with the rest of the serial.