The Sci Fi Channel has officially announced that it will begin airing the fourth season of Doctor Who and the Sarah Jane Adventures in April 2008. (The full press release has been published by The Futon Critic.) This timing suggests that Doctor Who will be debuting in America while the series is still running in Britain, much as BBC America is now airing new episodes of Torchwood a mere two weeks after they debut on BBC Three. This is wonderful news for American fans.

Even better news is that the Sarah Jane Adventures, the highly regarded children's spinoff of Doctor Who, is continuing its expansion. Former Doctor companion Sarah Jane Smith (still played by Elisabeth Sladen) plays a Doctor-like figure, using her knowledge of aliens and science to protect the Earth while mentoring Maria (the girl next door), Luke (her own adopted son), and Clyde (Luke's best friend). The tone of the show has been compared to Pertwee-era Who; Earthbound, exciting, willing to tackle difficult issues, but this time not quite so scary as to make children hide behind the couch.

Last year's 11 episodes of the SJA have already begun airing in Canada and will begin airing in South America this weekend.

This is now official confirmation that Sci Fi will begin airing them in April as well, as hinted in the interview with producer Russell T. Davies in the LA Times.

Chris Regina, Sci Fi Channel's Vice President of Programming, says "The youthful appeal of The Sarah Jane Adventures will no doubt attract even younger new viewers."  (It must be said, though, that the clear, action-packed storylines and lovely Ms. Sladen have made for plenty of older fans as well!)

While the immediate future of Doctor Who is known - a full season this year, followed by three or four specials in 2009 - the future of The Sarah Jane Adventures was in doubt until this morning. The BBC had been insisting that no official plans had been made for further seasons, while fansites and Elisabeth Sladen hinted that scripts are written and shooting is about to begin. As of February 6, the CBBC has finally confirmed the second season of 12 episodes. If they follow the pattern set in the first season, this will mean six stories told in two half-hour episodes.