Can I just have a little clarification here, please?

I keep reading all over the place that series 7 is only going to have six episodes in it. Is this true? Because I was initially under the impression that it would have the full complement of episodes, but that there would only be six this year, including the Christmas special. I thought that it just meant the series was going to be airing right at the arse-end of the year, and continuing into the new year with the remaining eight episodes. Have I got the wrong end of the stick here?