Product Description

The acclaimed BBC Radio 4 space drama arrives on CD in its entirety for the very first time - with a bonus introduction by creator and writer James Follett. The starship Challenger has been on a 115-year-long mission, exploring other galaxies for suitable Earth-like planets to colonise. The present crew of four were born on the ship and have never left it. But when the Challenger attempts to return to the crew's home planet, it discovers that the Earth has vanished! When they were first broadcast on radio, Earthsearch and Earthsearch II generated a flood of fan letters to Radio Times. Now at last their superb sound is available, digitally remastered and on CD for the first time. Also included is an introduction from James Follett, first broadcast as part of BBC7's 'Men, Martians and Machines'. Twenty episodes are presented across 10 CDs, with an accompanying booklet which details the series' origins and production. This is a welcome re-release of a much-loved science fiction series.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #156879 in Books
• Published on: 2004-10-18
• Released on: 2004-10-18
• Format: Audiobook
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 10
• Binding: Audio CD

Customer Reviews

Wonderful, Long-Awaited Release
In the early 1980s, a radio station here in Winnipeg aired the two EarthSearch series. In true Canadian fashion, they aired the second series first. I was captivated by the story, and at the time I sent a letter to the BBC asking if this series could be purchased in any form. Getting a negative response from them, is tas in the late 1990's that I tracked down the cassettes the BBC sold of the series. Unfortunately, even this was somewhat edited. So when this particular series came out, I was basically praying that it would be unedited and sound as good to me now as it did back in the early eighties. I was not at all disappointed. The addition of some commentary from James Follett is a welcome bonus, and I am very grateful for this long-awaited CD release of a wonderful BBC series.

EarthSearch & EarthSearch II - Classic Sci-Fi
This program was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 as a ten part series in March of 1981. I heard it then as a child of 13 and it totally captivated me: The powerfull and mysterious characters of the Angels (computer control systems) and the four delightfull 3rd Generation crew of a 10 mile long survey star ship. I vividly remember the fantastic sound effects and great stereo (Angel 1 always on the left, Angel 2 always on the right). Like a previous reviewer I taped this when it was repeated in the autumn of 1981, but the tapes are now warn and faded. I can't wait to be captivated again as I was as a child and hope that my own children will discover the joys of a good radio play when they listen to these tapes. If you like BBC radio 4 type entertainment, buy these with confidence, and don't forget the sequel EarthSearch II!

Simon Reeves

The Search Is Over...
A long overdue release for one of the best radio sci-fi series ever! Both series are here, and remastered too. A nice package which will keep me happy for weeks to come!