A rare Doctor Who documentary from 1995 and an unofficial spin-off that took the franchise into darker territory are heading to Rewind TV this autumn.
The retro-focused channel’s latest programming haul also includes other forgotten British television gems, from a lost Tony Hancock show from 1956 to Alex Dyke’s nostalgic journey through classic British cars, proving there’s still strong appetite for carefully curated content over algorithm-driven streaming.
“This lineup is a love letter to British television at its most imaginative and enduring,” says Rewind TV’s co-founder Oscar Beuselinck. “They’re not just shows, they’re pieces of our national storytelling heritage.”
A Channel That’s Found Its Footing
Since launching on Sky in May 2024 and expanding to Freeview that September, Rewind TV has established itself as a reliable home for classic British programming.
The channel has moved around the EPG somewhat – currently settling on Freeview Channel 81 after previous stints on 95 and 92 – while also being available on Sky Channel 182 and Freely Channel 141.
Still, there is no sign of Rewind TV on streaming platforms like Sky Stream and Glass, or on Freesat, which seems like a missed opportunity, given the current appetite for nostalgic content.
Doctor Who Offerings Coming In September
The more significant of the two Who-related programmes is The Doctors: 30 Years of Time Travel and Beyond, arriving September 13 at 1:00pm and 8:00pm.
This 1995 documentary was produced by BBV Productions and offered a comprehensive retrospective on Doctor Who from 1963 to 1995, featuring specially filmed interviews with leading cast members, producers, directors and writers, along with behind-the-scenes archive footage.
Because of copyright restrictions, the documentary doesn’t include any clips from Doctor Who itself, instead featuring talking head interviews with still photographs.
The participants include actors like Jon Pertwee, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and even Brian Blessed and Sally Faulkner, who only appeared in single stories.
Of particular interest to Who historians is the inclusion of 8mm home movie footage of stories including The Smugglers, The Abominable Snowmen, and The Daemons – material that’s not readily available elsewhere.
The second offering is Cyberon (September 21 at 9:00pm), a direct-to-video unofficial spin-off produced by the independent company BBV, featuring the Cyberons, a species created to resemble popular Doctor Who monsters.
The plot centres on Dr. Lauren Anderson witnessing disturbing medical trials involving a drug called Cyberon being tested on brain-damaged patients.
Despite the shared name with earlier BBV audio productions, this was intended as a fresh start for the concept, freed from previous portrayals.
The Cyberons were designed as stand-ins for the Cybermen, with the main difference being their lack of the trademark handle-like tubes on their helmets.
More August and September Programming
The Doctor Who content sits alongside Rewind TV’s broader programming strategy of mixing new commissions with archive material.
We Had One of Those starts August 9 at 6:00pm and represents one of Rewind TV’s new original commissions.
Presenter Alex Dyke has been given exclusive access to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, where he explores the cars that shaped British lives – from the modest Morris Minor to the mighty Mondeo.
Each episode examines not just the vehicles themselves but their social and cultural impact, featuring interviews with enthusiasts and everyday Brits sharing personal stories about family road trips, sticky vinyl seats, and the thrill of manually winding down windows.
Jack Hylton Presents: The Tony Hancock Show arrives August 24 at 3:30pm, marking the return of television that hasn’t been seen since 1956.
This represents Tony Hancock’s first dedicated TV project, part of the Jack Hylton Presents variety series, originally broadcast live when Hancock was already a household name from radio but new to television.
The shows feature Eric Sykes as both writer and performer, showcasing the early television work that laid the foundation for post-war British comedy with inventive sketches and Hancock’s iconic deadpan delivery.
Gyles Brandreth’s Discovering Gardens begins September 14 at 5:30pm, with Gyles Brandreth and Michele Brown exploring the beauty and eccentricity of public gardens across South West England.
The series promises a mix of classical, quirky, and hidden garden gems, aimed at both novice and experienced gardeners looking for inspiration and insight into British horticultural heritage.
Hotel Amigo follows the same evening September 14 at 11:30pm, offering something completely different from Rewind TV’s usual fare.
This visually striking production by Kate and Mike Westbrook features LOS AMIGOS playing dance tunes for a weary crowd, but the real focus is on the band members’ backstage dreams, which transform the night into a surreal spectacle of fantasy and movement – all without a single word of dialogue.
Michael Hordern: Going Home airs September 15 at 3:30pm, presenting a moving portrait of the legendary actor best known for his distinctive voice and character roles.
The programme explores Michael Hordern’s childhood in rural England, his battle with polio, and his unexpected journey to the stage following wartime service – a story of quiet strength and deep gratitude from one of British television’s most recognisable voices.
Robinson Country starts September 21 at 5:00pm, featuring broadcaster and wordsmith Robert Robinson sharing personal stories and observations from 15 years living in the South West.
Robinson, known for his wit and erudition, takes viewers through what he describes as a “fairy-tale land,” spotlighting his favourite people and places with the kind of wry commentary that made him a mainstay of British broadcasting.
A Brush with Art begins September 28 at 6:00pm, featuring Alwyn Crawshaw – often described as Britain’s answer to Bob Ross – guiding viewers through the joy of watercolour painting.
Filmed in real-time across scenic Southwest England locations, this series originally broadcast on Channel 4 and became popular for Crawshaw’s warm, encouraging approach and practical tips that made art accessible to painters of all levels.
Beryl Cook: The People’s Painter concludes the month September 28 at 9:00pm with a documentary exploring one of Britain’s most beloved contemporary artists. Beryl Cook, the “irreverent grandmother” whose distinctive style captured British life in all its bold, cheeky glory, created paintings that ranged from royals in seaside shelters to her famously robust characters.
The programme offers insight into the artistic imagination behind some of the most recognisable images in modern British art.
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