The BBC has announced that it will put the production rights for the next season of Doctor Who out to a competitive tender process.
The decision comes after the departure of the show’s recent production company Bad Wolf and writer Russell T Davies.
Through this process, the BBC will decide which production company will make the 16th season of the long-running sci-fi series. This means a new production partner could take over the franchise in its next phase. However, the BBC will retain full intellectual property rights to Doctor Who, and international distribution will continue to be handled by BBC Studios.
A BBC spokesperson said the move is intended to secure the show’s future and ensure its long-term sustainability. The statement emphasized that Doctor Who remains an important title for the broadcaster and that this process is designed to guarantee its continuation for years to come.
Russell T Davies stated that the show has not been cancelled, but rather that putting it out to tender is standard industry practice. He compared the process to other BBC productions such as Casualty. “It’s extraordinary to see newspapers who should know better saying the show has been cancelled,” he said. “It’s the opposite. It’s been put out to tender, and I understand that’s an industry phrase and people might not understand what a show being put out to tender means.”
BBC Studios may also take part in the bidding process, meaning the series is not guaranteed to move to an entirely new independent producer.
Following the announcement, the planned 2026 Christmas special was also cancelled. The BBC and producers said the decision was made in order to invest in the long-term future of the series rather than produce a one-off episode.
Doctor Who, which first aired in 1963, is considered one of the BBC’s most important flagship dramas. Since its modern revival in 2005, different actors have taken on the role of the Doctor. In recent years, however, viewing figures have declined, particularly across the latest seasons.
The show’s previous international partnership with Disney+ ended in 2024, which further accelerated its transition toward a new production and distribution model.
