BBC Confirms Doctor Who Will Continue Without Disney Partnership

The BBC has reassured fans that Doctor Who will continue regardless of the future of its partnership with Disney+, despite recent uncertainty following lead actor Ncuti Gatwa's departure and declining viewership. Kate Phillips, the BBC's Chief Content Officer, emphasized at the Edinburgh TV Festival that "Doctor Who is going nowhere," affirming the show's ongoing presence on the BBC with or without Disney's involvement, and highlighted the upcoming spin-off series The War Between the Land And The Sea. While the Disney+ partnership brought a significant budget boost and aimed to expand the show's global reach, ratings have fallen from an average of 4.9 million viewers in 2021 to 3.2 million for the latest season, with mixed reviews and fan criticism particularly targeting showrunner Russell T Davies' approach. Despite these challenges, BBC executives, including Lindsay Salt, remain committed to the series, noting its continued popularity among younger audiences. Additionally, alternative streaming platforms like Netflix and HBO Max are reportedly being considered should Disney+ withdraw, and the BBC is prepared to continue producing the show independently if necessary, albeit with potentially fewer episodes and a smaller budget. Veteran producer Jane Tranter defended the show's engagement with sensitive themes, countering claims that cultural debates are behind its struggles.