Doctor Who - Past Doctor Adventures - 67 - Synthespians (6th Doctor)

"We're the Nestenes, darling," she said, turning to
the camera and giving her trademark smile. "We've been colonising other
planets for a thousand million years.
"All right, Mr Matheson — I'm ready for my close-up."

In the 101st century, nostalgia is everything. Television from the
20th century is the new obsession, and Reef Station One is receiving
broadcasts from a distant Earth of the past, transmitting them to a
waiting audience. Dixon of Dock Green, Z-Cars and Professor X are
ratings winners — and the inhabitants of the New Earth Republic can't
get enough.

But there are other forces in the galaxy; other forces that need Reef
Station One. An ancient but dying race sees this human outpost as a
last desperate hope for survival... and billionaire Walter J Matheson
III sees them as a marvellous business opportunity.

When the Doctor and Peri arrive on Reef Station One, they find a
fractured society, totally dependent on film and television. They also
discover that the Republic's greatest entrepreneur is in league with one
of the Doctor's oldest enemies.

As the Nestene Consciousness spreads its tentacles throughout the
Republic, the Doctor and Peri must unravel the link between Walter J
Matheson's business empire and the Nestenes. Because, if they don't,
they'll end up in the deadliest soap opera of all time.