BBC Confirms Disney Exit from 'Doctor Who'
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has announced that it will no longer partner with Disney in its flagship sci-fi series "Doctor Who". The news comes after months of speculation and uncertainty regarding the future of the show, following the conclusion of Ncuti Gatwa's second season.
As part of a new agreement, "Doctor Who" will return at Christmas 2026 as a standalone production, with current showrunner Russell T Davies set to write an original special. The BBC expressed its gratitude for Disney's collaboration over the past two seasons and acknowledged that the partnership has come to an end.
The decision is attributed in part to disappointing viewership numbers, which have been steadily declining since Gatwa's first season began in 2024. The latest season averaged just 3.2 million viewers per episode, a significant drop from its previous season. Disney had been hesitant to continue the partnership, citing uncertainty regarding audience reception.
The BBC remains committed to "Doctor Who", one of its most beloved and enduring dramas, with plans for future seasons already underway. While details about the upcoming special and potential showrunner changes are still unclear, fans can expect more news in due course.
The exit marks a significant change in Disney's involvement with "Doctor Who" after two seasons and a spin-off series titled "The War Between the Land and the Sea". The BBC will now focus on launching new iterations of the series, including an animated preschool series aimed at young audiences.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has announced that it will no longer partner with Disney in its flagship sci-fi series "Doctor Who". The news comes after months of speculation and uncertainty regarding the future of the show, following the conclusion of Ncuti Gatwa's second season.
As part of a new agreement, "Doctor Who" will return at Christmas 2026 as a standalone production, with current showrunner Russell T Davies set to write an original special. The BBC expressed its gratitude for Disney's collaboration over the past two seasons and acknowledged that the partnership has come to an end.
The decision is attributed in part to disappointing viewership numbers, which have been steadily declining since Gatwa's first season began in 2024. The latest season averaged just 3.2 million viewers per episode, a significant drop from its previous season. Disney had been hesitant to continue the partnership, citing uncertainty regarding audience reception.
The BBC remains committed to "Doctor Who", one of its most beloved and enduring dramas, with plans for future seasons already underway. While details about the upcoming special and potential showrunner changes are still unclear, fans can expect more news in due course.
The exit marks a significant change in Disney's involvement with "Doctor Who" after two seasons and a spin-off series titled "The War Between the Land and the Sea". The BBC will now focus on launching new iterations of the series, including an animated preschool series aimed at young audiences.
. Disney's exit might be a good thing for the show though - sometimes you gotta make some tough decisions to get back on track. I hope Russell T Davies can bring his A-game and get the ratings back up 
! 3.2 million viewers is pretty low, so this is definitely a step in the right direction for the BBC 
. An animated preschool series sounds like a great idea too - kids love Doctor Who, might as well introduce them to it at a young age 
!
So I'm kinda surprised about this Disney exit from Doctor Who, even though viewership has been low lately 
. 3.2 million viewers per episode is not bad, considering it's a sci-fi show and some people just aren't into that genre anymore 
. But still, I feel bad for Ncuti Gatwa who had to deal with declining numbers in his second season... poor guy 
. On the other hand, I think it's cool that the BBC is taking charge again and coming up with new plans, especially an animated preschool series? That sounds like a great way to bring Doctor Who to a whole new audience 
!
. It's not like the show's ever been about the money, right? It's always been about telling great stories and exploring new worlds 
. Can't wait to see what they do next with the show... maybe bring back some classic villains? 
stats say us brits are watching more online stuff than traditional tv shows btw did u know the original 'doctor who' aired in 1963 & has since become a british cultural icon 
10% of those 18-34 age group viewers actually stuck with it tho which is still pretty decent for a show that's been on for so long 
. I mean, those numbers are pretty steep, even for a long-running show like this. You can't keep throwing money and talent into something that just isn't resonating with viewers anymore. The BBC's decision makes sense, but it's also a shame because I've always loved the show's quirky style and storytelling.
. And hey, at least we know that Disney won't be messing around with it anymore, right? Less chance of them trying to turn it into some watered-down family-friendly show 
. Bring back the old 'Doctor Who' vibes!
i'm actually kinda excited about russell t davies coming back tho! he's such a genius and always knows how to bring the noise 
can't wait to see what they do with the show next!
anyway i hope russell t davies does an epic special 2026 cant wait