Disney’s high-profile partnership with the BBC for Doctor Who has officially ended — and new reports reveal multiple reasons why. Sources told Deadline that the deal unraveled due to low ratings, ballooning budgets, and cultural politics that clashed with U.S. audiences.
Originally launched in 2022 as a bold plan to “Marvel-ize” the British sci-fi franchise, the collaboration failed to take off. Despite the show’s global legacy, Doctor Who struggled to reach mainstream American viewers on Disney+, leading to declining enthusiasm from Disney executives.
“It was pretty apparent from early on that this wasn’t for the long term,” said a former Disney executive. “Everyone got the impression that it wasn’t doing what it needed to do [on Disney+] to be sustained.”
Another insider described “a complete lack of enthusiasm” at Disney. The series’ budget reportedly ranged from £6–8 million ($8.5–10.5 million) per episode, valuing the deal at roughly £168 million ($221 million) — a major financial strain amid Disney’s broader cost-cutting under Bob Iger.
Ratings and Reaction
In the U.S., Doctor Who failed to chart in Nielsen and Luminate rankings, while critics called its 2024 debut one of the year’s “flops.” The show earned just one Primetime Emmy nomination during its Disney+ run. In the U.K., viewing numbers fell sharply — averaging 3.8 million viewers for Season 15, down a full million from the prior year.
BBC drama head Lindsay Salt thanked Disney for “being terrific global partners,” though Disney offered only a brief confirmation of the split. The co-production ended quietly, even as BBC renewed Doctor Who for a 2026 Christmas special written by showrunner Russell T Davies.
Political Tensions and Creative Burnout
Sources told Deadline that internal concerns also stemmed from perceived political backlash. Under Davies, Doctor Who embraced more inclusive storytelling — including transgender casting, drag performers, and same-sex representation — which some insiders feared might not sit well with conservative U.S. audiences. One source said the show became “too woke for Trump’s USA.”
Lead actor Ncuti Gatwa’s exit after two seasons added further turbulence, citing burnout from the demanding role. Critics and fans alike described the recent story arcs as “patchy,” and speculation continues about whether Davies will stay on as showrunner beyond 2026.
What’s Next for the Time Lord
With Disney gone, Doctor Who faces a significant budget cut — expected to drop from around £6–8 million to roughly £2.5–3 million per episode. Still, BBC insiders remain optimistic.
A BBC Studios executive said, “I could make a case for any streamer wanting to create a foothold in a world with a pre-existing fanbase.” Potential suitors like Paramount+ or NBCUniversal could step in, while the show’s long-standing British roots may help it recalibrate creatively.
BBC’s Lindsay Salt reaffirmed the broadcaster’s commitment, saying:
“The TARDIS remains at the heart of the BBC.”
For now, Doctor Who is set to return for its 2026 Christmas special, with the franchise once again preparing to regenerate — this time without Disney at the controls.
Source: Deadline
