With the financial backing of Disney, BBC's Doctor Who might be in for some changes.
As reported by The Telegraph, Disney will now have a say in the creative decisions for Doctor Who, though current showrunner Russell T. Davies will maintain overall creative control for the series. However, with Disney now backing the long-running sci-fi series, the show will now have access to a Disney-sized budget, which could reflect in the show's production and result in a more cinematic experience and high-profile guest stars.
Moreover, Disney will handle all distribution for the series outside of the United Kingdom, as the series will now be available to stream worldwide on Disney+. Despite this, the BBC will still have ultimate editorial control over the series and its future and will retain intellectual property rights for Doctor Who, meaning Disney will not be able to create any spinoffs based on the character.
New Streamer, New Doctor
"We are thrilled to announce this exciting global partnership with Disney who are the perfect partners to bring this very British show to the rest of the world," said BBC's chief content officer Charlotte Moore. "Russell T Davies’s vision for Doctor Who has always been out of this world and we are committed to ensuring that audiences across the globe get the opportunity to enjoy the Doctor’s epic adventures with the scale and ambition that they deserve. Joining forces with Disney will elevate the show to even greater heights and reach new audiences so it’s an extremely exciting time for fans in the UK and across the world."
It was recently announced that Doctor Who would become available to stream on Disney+ sometime in 2023, though a specific date was not revealed. While new episodes of the series will stream on the platform, it is unknown at the time of writing if the back catalog of Doctor Who will be available as well. This was described as the first "new collaboration between BBC and Disney Branded Television."
"I love this show, and this is the best of both worlds – with the vision and joy of the BBC and Disney+ together we can launch the TARDIS all around the planet, reaching a new generation of fans while keeping our traditional home firmly on the BBC in the UK," Davies said as part of the announcement.
"We’re excited by the opportunity to bring new seasons of this beloved franchise exclusively to Disney+ and introduce the show to the next generation of audiences in more than 150 markets around the world," said Disney+ president Alisa Bowen. Doctor Who will be available to stream on Disney+ in late 2023, with new episodes of the series premiering on the BBC that same year.
Source: The Telegraph