1979

History of the Doctor Who Universe

 * The Mona Lisa is stolen from the Louve, Paris by Count Scarlioni. Around this time, the Fourth Doctor and Romana arrive in Paris for a visit; the Doctor describes 1979 as "A table wine year". (DW: City of Death)


 * Dr. Lavinia Smith moves from South Croydon to Moreton Harwood (K-9 & Company: A Girl's Best Friend).


 * John Benton leaves the army and UNIT and takes a job selling second-hand cars (DW: Mawdryn Undead).

October

 * Skagra goes to Earth in search of Salyavin. (DW: Shada)

November

 * 21 - Ian Dury and the Blockheads perform in concert at Sheffield, England. The Doctor attempts to take Rose to this concert when they instead end up in 1879 Scotland. Although a previous incarnation described 1979 as a "table wine year", it appears to have aged well as the Doctor now calls 1979 "a hell of a year". (DW: Tooth and Claw)

January

 * 06 - The Power of Kroll Episode 3 First Broadcast


 * 13 - The Power of Kroll Episode 4 First Broadcast


 * 16 - Peter Butterworth, who played the Meddling Monk, dies from an apparent heart attack in Coventry.


 * 20 - The Armageddon Factor Episode 1 First Broadcast


 * 27 - The Armageddon Factor Episode 2 First Broadcast

February

 * 03 - The Armageddon Factor Episode 3 First Broadcast


 * 10 - The Armageddon Factor Episode 4 First Broadcast


 * 17 - The Armageddon Factor Episode 5 First Broadcast


 * 24 - The Armageddon Factor Episode 6 First Broadcast

Summer

 * Filming for City of Death takes place in Paris, marking the first time Doctor Who has been filmed outside the United Kingdom.

September

 * 01 - Destiny of the Daleks Episode 1 First Broadcast


 * 08 - Destiny of the Daleks Episode 2 First Broadcast


 * 15 - Destiny of the Daleks Episode 3 First Broadcast


 * 22 - Destiny of the Daleks Episode 4 First Broadcast


 * 29 - City of Death Episode 1 First Broadcast

October

 * First issue of Doctor Who Weekly (later named Doctor Who Monthly and Doctor Who Magazine) released (cover date 17 October); the long-running DWM comic strip also makes its debut.


 * 06 - City of Death Episode 2 First Broadcast


 * 13 - City of Death Episode 3 First Broadcast


 * 17 - John Stuart, who had an uncredited role as a Didonian in "The Rescue," dies in London.


 * 20 - City of Death Episode 4 First Broadcast


 * 27 - The Creature from the Pit Episode 1 First Broadcast


 * 30 - Graham Ashley, who played the Overseer in "The Underwater Menace," dies.

November

 * 03 - The Creature from the Pit Episode 2 First Broadcast


 * 10 - The Creature from the Pit Episode 3 First Broadcast


 * 17 - The Creature from the Pit Episode 4 First Broadcast


 * 24 - Nightmare of Eden Episode 1 First Broadcast

December

 * 01 - Nightmare of Eden Episode 2 First Broadcast


 * 08 - Nightmare of Eden Episode 3 First Broadcast


 * 15 - Nightmare of Eden Episode 4 First Broadcast


 * 22 - The Horns of Nimon Episode 1 First Broadcast


 * 29 - The Horns of Nimon Episode 2 First Broadcast

Unknown date
Labour action forces production to be halted on the six-episode serial, Shada. Ultimately, it is decided to abandon the serial, which signalled a premature end for the 1979-80 season with The Horns of Nimon.