In October 2025, Disney+ ended its partnership with the BBC on Doctor Who after just two seasons. The deal, announced in October 2022, was worth up to $220 million and included two seasons, as well as a spin-off show. Disney+ had exclusive streaming rights to the show, except in the UK and Ireland.
The partnership aimed to transform Doctor Who into a massive global franchise, comparable to Marvel or Star Wars, with production budgets ranging from $8.5 million to $10.5 million per episode—matching those of big American sci-fi shows.
Bad Wolf Productions, a Welsh company partly owned by Sony Pictures, handled production, while Russell T Davies, who revived the show in 2005, returned as creative leader.
The deal was made during the streaming wars, when platforms like Disney+, Netflix, and others were competing fiercely to attract international viewers. Under Disney’s watch, Ncuti Gatwa became the first Black and openly gay actor to lead Doctor Who for a full season after his impressive audition in 2022.
The show also cast Yasmin Finney, a transgender actress, as Rose Noble, and drag queen Jinkx Monsoon as the villain Maestro. These diverse casting choices earned both praise and criticism from different audience groups.
Why the Partnership Failed
Despite Disney’s massive investment and big plans, Doctor Who didn’t perform as expected. In the United States, the show never made it onto Nielsen’s or Luminate’s top streaming charts, with entertainment industry experts calling it a “flop.” British viewers also tuned out in record numbers.
Season 15’s second episode fell below 2 million overnight viewers for the first time in the show’s modern era, and the entire season averaged only 3.2 million viewers across eight episodes—much lower than previous years and anniversary specials.
According to insiders, Disney withdrew from the project due to high production costs, poor performance in the US market, and concerns about audience reception of the show. One source mentioned that the show’s “woke” content was considered a factor in Disney’s decision to exit, though poor ratings and limited audience growth were the main reasons.
The split also highlights bigger problems facing British television. The BBC is facing a serious funding crisis, with content spending expected to decline by $200 million annually as international streaming deals dry up. Many BBC shows are now struggling without proper funding, and Doctor Who has become the most high-profile victim of this crisis.
Disney had hoped to build Doctor Who into a huge franchise with multiple shows, including the spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea, but viewers didn’t show up in the numbers needed to justify the investment.
What Happens Next for Doctor Who
Even though Disney is out, the BBC says Doctor Who will continue. BBC drama boss Lindsay Salt confirmed a Christmas 2026 special written by Russell T Davies, promising fans that “The Doctor is not going anywhere.”
Bad Wolf Productions, backed by Sony, will continue to provide production support, allowing the show to explore new international streaming partners. Possible options include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, HBO Max, and Paramount+, though none of these platforms can match Disney’s distribution network across more than 150 countries.
The War Between the Land and the Sea spin-off will still air on the BBC in December 2025 and is expected to stream internationally on Disney+ in 2026. The BBC now faces tough challenges with smaller budgets and no clear international distribution partner.
The UK government and Parliament are investigating the funding issues affecting expensive British dramas. However, Doctor Who has survived cancellations and major changes before—the 2005 revival succeeded with much smaller budgets and focused on strong writing instead of expensive production values.
As the show enters another period of major change, its future depends on whether the BBC can adapt to new realities, find new streaming partners, and keep producing quality stories that attract viewers in a rapidly changing entertainment world.