Report claims Disney’s Doctor Who deal with BBC ‘in jeopardy’

A fresh report has put the continuity of Disney’s major deal with the BBC for “Doctor Who” under speculation.

In 2022, Disney acquired the international distribution rights for “Doctor Who,” significantly increasing the production budget for the 14th season. When the partnership was made public, BBC’s chief content officer Charlotte Moore stated, “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.”

However, recent information from the US trade outlet Deadline raises questions about the future of this agreement. The report notes that “Doctor Who” was noticeably absent from Disney’s “upfronts” at the North Javits Center in May, an event where Disney highlights its most anticipated upcoming shows.

A source close to the production revealed a sense of uncertainty, indicating that they “feel its future hangs in the balance already.” This deal, which analysts estimate to be worth $100m (£80m), came in conjunction with the return of showrunner Russell T Davies and the casting of Ncuti Gatwa from “Sex Education” as the new lead.

The report also delves into the “complex” audience ratings for the latest series. On average, the most recent “Doctor Who” season attracted almost 1.5 million fewer viewers per episode (over seven days) compared to the final season featuring the previous Doctor, Jodie Whittaker.

Another industry insider pointed out the ratings dilemma, saying, “The ratings are a problem. They can talk all they like about young viewers but they’re still down from the specials and down from the Jodie [Whittaker] series. I imagine serious conversations are happening. Disney will want to see results.”

The Independent reached out to both the BBC and Disney for comments but is yet to receive a response.

In a recent review of the latest “Doctor Who” episode, Ed Power from The Independent shared his thoughts: “In a recent interview with The New York Times, returning Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies said that he wanted the latest incarnation of the BBC blockbuster to reflect the positive trend among young people to ‘express their emotions in a healthy way’. This was in reference to Ncuti Gatwa’s teary, big-hearted Doctor – a Time Lord who isn’t embarrassed to shed a tear or jig with joy.

“But as Gatwa’s first season draws to a close with its eighth episode, the one emotion Whovians young, old, and in-between, are likely to share is the sting of anticlimax. After stringing us along since last year’s Christmas special with the so-called ‘mystery’ of Ruby Sunday’s origins, the series delivers the mother of all letdowns: Ruby’s mum is just an ordinary person.”

Source: Deadline, The Independent, The New York Times