Doctor Who ends Disney+ partnership after 2 seasons, BBC confirms continuation

Disney+ has officially ended its partnership with Doctor Who after just 2 seasons. The BBC announced the split on October 28, 2025. However, the Time Lord isn’t going anywhere. The Christmas 2026 special will continue the beloved sci-fi saga with showrunner Russell T Davies returning to write it.

Disney Drops Doctor Who Partnership

The streaming giant surprised fans by exiting the long-running sci-fi series. Disney+ partnered with BBC in October 2022, launching the partnership with season 15 (new numbering) in May 2023. The deal covered production and global distribution outside the UK and Ireland. Just 2 seasons later, Disney+ decided to pull the plug on further involvement with the iconic time traveler.

“We’d like to thank Disney+ for being terrific global partners. The BBC remains fully committed to Doctor Who, which continues to be one of our most loved dramas.”

The announcement comes amid industry shifts in streaming strategies. Disney has been reassessing partnerships across its portfolio. The BBC, however, remains steadfast in its commitment to Doctor Who after 60+ years of broadcasting the show. This marks a turning point for the franchise’s future direction.

BBC Confirms Continuation and 2026 Christmas Special

Good news for longtime fans: Doctor Who isn’t ending. The BBC has officially confirmed a Christmas 2026 special written by legendary showrunner Russell T Davies. Davies rebooted the series in 2005 and returned as showrunner for season 15. His involvement signals the BBC‘s commitment to quality storytelling moving forward without streaming interference.

Key Timeline	Details
Last aired	Season 2 finale air in 2024
Christmas Special	December 25, 2026
Showrunner	Russell T Davies
Producer	Bad Wolf Studios
Network	BBC in-house production

The wait between now and December 2026 spans nearly 2 years. Fans face the longest gap since the show’s 2005 revival, but the BBC promises ongoing Whoniverse content to bridge the gap. The War Between the Land and Sea spinoff will air on BBC One before the special arrives.

What To Expect Next

Here’s what fans should know about the road ahead:

• BBC will announce full season plans “in due course” after the special
• Russell T Davies remains committed to the show’s creative direction
• War Between the Land and Sea spinoff launches on BBC One soon
• New animation series for CBeebies in development within the Whoniverse
• No global streaming partnership announced yet for future seasons

The BBC emphasized it remains “fully committed” to Doctor Who‘s legacy. Streaming partners could emerge later, but the network won’t let the show disappear from British television. The shift marks a return to BBC-controlled production standards.

Will Doctor Who Find a New Streaming Home or Stay BBC-Only?

The big question now: where will Doctor Who go globally after the 2026 Christmas special? The BBC hasn’t announced a new global streaming partner. Historically, Doctor Who needs international distribution to fund its ambitious production budget. Options could include Max, Netflix, or other streamers eager for prestige sci-fi content.

The BBC‘s statement signals patience rather than urgency. Lindsay Salt promised announcements about future seasons in due course, suggesting negotiations might already be underway. Without Disney’s partnership, the show returns to BBC control—potentially offering more creative freedom and lower commercial pressure.

For now, fans should celebrate: Doctor Who continues, and Russell T Davies remains the creative force steering the TARDIS. What streaming arrangement would excite you most?

Sources

• BBC Media Centre – Official announcement of Christmas 2026 special and Disney partnership end
• Deadline – Breaking news on Disney+ partnership exit after two seasons
• Variety – Analysis of future direction and BBC commitment

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