As rumoured months ago, Disney+ is the new home of Doctor Who outside the UK and Ireland from 2023.
Today the BBC and Disney issued a joint announcement along with a new logo that harkens back to the iconic diamond logo from my childhood. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.
On Sunday, Jodie Whittaker bowed out of the series in the centenary special, The Power of the Doctor. Whittaker mysteriously 'degenerated' into David Tennant ahead of three 60th anniversary specials starting in November 2023! Ncuti Gatwa takes the helm of the TARDIS during a holiday special.
Russell T Davies says: "I love this show, and this is the best of both worlds – with the vision and joy of the BBC and Disney+ together we can launch the TARDIS all around the planet, reaching a new generation of fans while keeping our traditional home firmly on the BBC in the UK."
Previously, new series of Doctor Who aired overseas on networks such as BBC America, AMC+ and HBO Max.
Charlotte Moore, BBC's Chief Content Officer says: "We are thrilled to announce this exciting global partnership with Disney who are the perfect partners to bring this very British show to the rest of the world. Russell T Davies' vision for Doctor Who has always been out of this world and we are committed to ensuring that audiences across the globe get the opportunity to enjoy the Doctor's epic adventures with the scale and ambition that they deserve. 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."
The fan-favourite Time Lord is no stranger to streaming services. The beloved BBC sci-fi series has appeared on Amazon Prime and Netflix and the classic series streams exclusively on BritBox. However, Doctor Who will be alongside Marvel Studios and Star Wars franchises on Disney+.
Alisa Bowen, President, Disney+ says: "We're excited by the opportunity to bring new seasons of this beloved franchise exclusively to Disney+ and introduce the show to the next generation of audiences in more than 150 markets around the world. The series is a perfect addition to our ever-growing catalog of global content that continues to make Disney+ the home for exceptional storytelling."
All in all, this guarantees a very bright future for Doctor Who.
Ayo Davis, President, Disney Branded Television says: "Doctor Who has captivated the imaginations of families around the world for the past six decades. We are so excited about this collaboration with the BBC, and the opportunity to bring this iconic franchise – and Russell T Davies' brilliant vision – to life for a huge new global audience. Grab your sonic screwdrivers and prepare to travel through time and space!"
Whilst it's worth noting this is an exclusive distribution deal with Disney, the new series is expected to utilise Industrial Light & Magic's (ILM) StageCraft developed for Lucasfilm's The Mandalorian. It's also likely there'll be new merchandising opportunities that could encompass Disney Parks.
The new series of Doctor Who, a co-production with Sony's Bad Wolf (His Dark Materials), is an excellent addition to Disney+. But what do you think? Do you like the new logo? Let me know in the comments below.
The new/old logo is fine, although the neon logo of the 80s is my fave. I'm intrigued what the involvement of Disney will bring to the table. Is a Doctor Who/Star Wars crossover a possibility at some point?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised to see Marvel Comics back!
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