Is Disney the Owner of Doctor Who?

Disney and the BBC have confirmed their partnership for the distribution of Doctor Who content, signaling significant interest in the acquisition of rights to the popular franchise.

This deal includes an unspecified contribution to the show’s production budget and considerable marketing spend. In return, Disney gains the rights to add new Doctor Who content to its Disney+ platform globally (with two notable exceptions). However, does paying for Doctor Who grant Disney ownership over the show itself? Find out below!

Does Disney own Doctor Who?

No, Doctor Who is not owned by Disney – it is owned by the BBC. Disney only holds the streaming rights to the popular sci-fi series in all countries except the UK and Ireland.

The streaming rights were initially introduced with the airing of the three Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials in November-December 2023. The Doctor Who Christmas special also had its global premiere on Disney+ shortly after the streamer appeared to reveal its title and release date. Additionally, the Disney/BBC agreement encompasses Doctor Who Series 14, set to debut in May 2024 and consist of eight episodes. Showrunner Russell T Davies has suggested that Series 14 will be released as "Season 1," a decision seen by longtime fans as a gesture towards Disney+ newcomers.

What Doctor Who content isn’t included in the Disney deal?

The duration of the agreement is currently unknown, but it is said to include Doctor Who Series 15-17 (or Seasons 2-4) as well. In summary, whatever Disney contributed to funding, it will be shown.

You might be wondering if there is any Doctor Who content that is not included in the Disney deal. The answer is yes, quite a lot in fact. The BBC, funded by the British taxpayer, will not allow anything exclusively financed by them to be on Disney+. This includes over 800 episodes of classic and revival era runs of Doctor Who, including the 60th anniversary specials.

Access to spinoffs like Torchwood, The Sarah Jane Adventures, and Tales of the TARDIS, along with Doctor Who Confidential and other behind-the-scenes shows and specials, is restricted. To view this content, you will need to use iPlayer’s Whoniverse portal (for UK & Ireland) or another subscription or VoD service, like BritBox (rest of the world).

For all the latest Doctor Who content, check out Dexerto’s full coverage here.

Editor's P/S

As a devoted Doctor Who fan, I am thrilled about the partnership between Disney and the BBC, which has brought the beloved sci-fi series to a wider global audience through Disney+. The streaming platform has introduced Doctor Who to new generations of fans, and it's exciting to see the show's popularity continue to grow.

However, I must admit that I have mixed feelings about Disney's involvement in Doctor Who. While I appreciate the increased accessibility and exposure that Disney+ provides, I am concerned about the potential impact on the show's creative integrity. Doctor Who has always been known for its unique blend of science fiction, adventure, and British humor, and I hope that Disney will respect and preserve these elements that make the show so special.