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 From: weberm@polaris.net 
  
 In article , doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca wrote: 
  
 >Introduction: 
 > 
 >In 1989, after 26 years of thrilling audiences with its time-traveling 
 >adventures and captivating storytelling, Doctor Who faced an untimely 
 >cancellation. The decision to end the series left fans devastated and marked 
 >the end of an era in television history. This article explores the reasons 
 >why Doctor Who should have never been cancelled in 1989, delving into its 
 >cultural significance, its enduring legacy, and the missed opportunities 
 >that arose from its premature demise. 
  
 The cancellation of €Doctor Who€ in 1989 was due to a combination of 
 factors: 
  
 1) Declining Popularity: The show was trapped in a vicious circle of 
 declining 
    popularity    amongst viewers and neglect from the powers-that-be at the 
    BBC. 
  
 2) Budget Constraints: Despite sustained periods of great success, 
 interviews 
    with cast and    crew in more recent years have revealed that the fate of 
    the series was often uncertain, with deadlines and budget restrictions 
    causing constant issues. 
  
 3) Poor Reception: According to an internal BBC document that has since 
    surfaced, McCoy€s    Doctor, his assistant Mel and Doctor Who€s stories 
    were also all scoring abysmally with test audiences. 
  
 4) Disdain from BBC Executives: Three senior BBC executives generally share 
    the blame for    Doctor Who€s cancellation - Peter Cregeen, the BBC€s 
 Head 
    of Series in 1989, who ultimately made the decision to drop the show; 
    Jonathan Powell, then Controller of BBC One; and Michael    Grade, who 
 had 
    preceded Powell in BBC One€s top job. Both Powell€s and Grade€s disdain 
    for Doctor Who was well documented. 
  
 It€s important to note that despite these challenges, the show made a 
 triumphant return in 2005 and has since transformed into a global sensation. 
  
  
 -- 
 Let's go Brandon! 
  
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