Disney+ has officially ended its partnership with the BBC for the long-running and internationally beloved series Doctor Who, marking the end of a major streaming collaboration just weeks before the holiday season.
On Tuesday, the BBC confirmed that Disney+ would no longer be involved in producing or distributing future seasons of Doctor Who, bringing their three-year partnership to an abrupt close. The BBC stated that Disney had made the decision to withdraw from the collaboration, but reassured fans that the series would continue under its own banner.
Disney+ first partnered with the BBC in October 2022, acquiring international distribution rights for the iconic sci-fi show. Under the partnership, Disney+ served as the exclusive international home for the last two seasons, featuring Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor.
The BBC released a formal statement confirming the end of the partnership, making it clear that while Disney+ will no longer be involved in the show’s future, it remains a valued collaborator for past and upcoming specials.
“We’d like to thank Disney+ for being terrific global partners and collaborators over the past two seasons, and for the upcoming The War Between the Land and the Sea,” said Lindsay Salt, director of drama at the BBC. “The BBC remains fully committed to Doctor Who, which continues to be one of our most loved dramas, and we are delighted that Russell T Davies has agreed to write us another spectacular Christmas special for 2026. We can assure fans, the Doctor is not going anywhere, and we will be announcing plans for the next series in due course, which will ensure the TARDIS remains at the heart of the BBC.”
According to the BBC, the final co-produced special, The War Between the Land and the Sea, will still stream internationally on Disney+ and on the BBC and BBC iPlayer for viewers in the U.K. and Ireland. The two seasons co-produced with Disney+ and all associated specials will remain available to stream on the platform for now, but future seasons will not appear on Disney+.
Disney has not publicly elaborated on the decision, but its silence leading up to the BBC’s announcement fueled speculation that the partnership was nearing an end. Fans noticed earlier this month that promotional materials for Doctor Who were missing from Disney+’s international homepage, and the streamer’s social media channels stopped sharing updates about the series.
This development follows reports that Ncuti Gatwa’s departure as the Fifteenth Doctor was finalized earlier this year, leaving fans uncertain about the franchise’s future. Although rumors circulated about Billie Piper (Rose Tyler) potentially returning as the next Doctor, neither Disney nor the BBC ever confirmed the speculation.
The BBC has promised that the show’s next chapter is already in development, with plans for new episodes to premiere exclusively on BBC channels and the BBC iPlayer beginning after the 2026 Christmas special.
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