Disney+ Says Goodbye to Doctor Who as the BBC Takes Back the TARDIS

Disney+ has officially ended its production partnership with the BBC on Doctor Who, concluding a collaboration that began in 2022 and marked a major international expansion for the long-running British science fiction series. The BBC has confirmed that future episodes will now be produced solely under its banner, with the next chapter of the show already in development.

The partnership between Disney+ and the BBC was announced in October 2022, positioning Disney+ as the exclusive global streaming home for Doctor Who outside the United Kingdom and Ireland. The collaboration coincided with the relaunch of the series under returning showrunner Russell T Davies and the introduction of Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor. The deal aimed to elevate the show’s production value, expand its global audience, and introduce the series to a new generation of international viewers.

During the Disney+ era, Doctor Who released a trio of 60th anniversary specials in 2023 featuring David Tennant’s return as the Fourteenth Doctor, followed by the debut of Gatwa’s first season in 2024. These episodes showcased higher visual quality and increased budgets, reportedly reaching approximately 13 million dollars per episode.

While Disney+ had played a significant role in global distribution and financing, the BBC stated that the series would continue production independently. The broadcaster confirmed plans for a 2026 Christmas special and additional episodes beyond that.

Neither Disney+ nor the BBC disclosed detailed reasons for the end of the partnership. However, reports have cited the rising cost of production and creative control considerations as possible contributing factors. The BBC emphasized that it remains fully committed to the future of Doctor Who and to maintaining the high production standards established in recent years.

Under the previous arrangement, Disney+ provided substantial marketing and global reach for Doctor Who, which historically had limited exposure outside the UK. The show’s availability on the Disney+ platform allowed it to stream in more than 150 countries and territories, broadening its international fan base. With the conclusion of this agreement, the BBC will now be responsible for securing new distribution partners or handling international streaming directly through its own platforms such as BBC iPlayer or BritBox.

The end of the Disney+ partnership marks a new phase for the series as it approaches its seventh decade on television. The BBC has not indicated any change in creative leadership, and Russell T Davies remains attached as showrunner. Production on the upcoming season is expected to continue without interruption.

Disney+’s decision concludes one of the most ambitious collaborations between the BBC and an American streaming service to date. While the partnership elevated Doctor Who’s global profile and production scale, the BBC’s renewed control signals a return to its traditional model of in-house production and distribution.

Future details about international streaming availability for upcoming Doctor Who episodes are expected to be announced by the BBC in the coming months. For now, previously released Disney+ seasons and specials are expected to remain on the platform, though their long-term streaming availability may depend on existing licensing agreements.

The BBC has confirmed that Doctor Who will continue its broadcast and streaming presence in the UK, with production on new episodes already underway for 2026.