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Doctor Who Series 16 Stalls as BBCDisney Renewal Lingers

Production remains on hold with scripts ready despite a ratings slump that has stalled renewal talks.

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Overview

  • No episodes of Series 16 have been commissioned and nothing is guaranteed, journalist Tom Spilsbury reports.
  • The original 26-episode BBCDisney+ co-production deal has delivered 16 instalments, with Disney’s renewal option nearing expiration.
  • Showrunner Russell T. Davies has confirmed that scripts for Series 16 are complete and story outlines for Series 17 are in place.
  • Series 15 viewership fell by about 500,000 compared to Series 14 and by 1.7 million against Series 13, heightening budgetary concerns.
  • If Disney does not renew before its option lapses, the BBC would need to secure alternative co-producers, a process sources say could prolong the show’s hiatus.