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BBC STUDIOS CONFIRMS BID TO RETAIN PRODUCTION OF DOCTOR WHO FOLLOWING TENDER ANNOUNCEMENT

Wednesday 15th July 2026

BBC Studios has officially confirmed it will bid to retain the production rights for Doctor Whofollowing the BBC’s surprise decision to put the iconic sci-fi series out to competitive tender.

Why the Tender is Happening

The decision follows a turbulent period for the franchise, marked by a recent slump in ratings, the exit of showrunner Russell T. Davies, and the departure of co-producer Disney+. In response, the BBC has paused production to focus on long-term strategy, officially canceling the previously announced Christmas special. Under the BBC’s Charter, returning series must periodically face market competition, prompting this formal "work-for-hire" procurement process. [1]

Key Facts of the News

• BBC Retains Ownership: The BBC will maintain 100% control of the Doctor Whointellectual property, global distribution, and merchandising. The winning company is strictly being hired to produce the episodes.

• BBC Studios Bidding "With Gusto": BBC Studios CEO Tom Fussell announced on July 14, 2026, that the commercial arm is "in it to win it," leveraging its historical connection to the show and deep fan insights to secure the contract.

• Delayed Return: Because the official Invitation to Tender (ITT) will not be published until later this year, insiders estimate that Doctor Who will not return to television screens until 2028 at the earliest.

LONDON, UK — July 15, 2026 — BBC Studios today announced its official intention to compete in the BBC’s upcoming competitive tender process for Doctor Who, aiming to secure the long-term production rights to the world’s longest-running science-fiction franchise.

The announcement, delivered by BBC Studios CEO Tom Fussell, follows the BBC’s decision to open the series to market competition under its Charter requirements. The procurement move comes during a period of strategic restructuring for the brand, following the departure of co-producer Disney+ and showrunner Russell T. Davies. To allow the future production partner total focus on a long-term "creative regeneration," the BBC has confirmed that the previously planned Christmas special has been canceled.

"BBC Studios is built on a legacy of world-class storytelling, and we are entering this bidding process with absolute gusto," said Tom Fussell, CEO of BBC Studios. "We are in it to win it. Doctor Who is in our DNA, and we bring an unmatched combination of historical fan insights, global distribution expertise, and deep creative passion to the table."

The upcoming Invitation to Tender (ITT), which will be managed by the BBC's central procurement team, is a strict "work-for-hire" arrangement. The BBC will retain 100% ownership of the Doctor Who intellectual property, brand licensing, and global distribution rights. The formal ITT document is scheduled to be published on the BBC Commissions website later this year. Due to the timelines required for the procurement process and subsequent pre-production, industry insiders project that Doctor Who will return to television screens in 2028 at the earliest.

BBC Studios will leverage its state-of-the-art facilities, including the historic home of the series at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, as part of its highly competitive bid.