BBC: Doctor Who to stay on BBC platforms; UNIT spinoff eyed for 2026

The BBC has reaffirmed that Doctor Who will continue on its airwaves, with or without Disney, as ongoing negotiations over the co-production deal leave the future of the global-facing series in a state of limbo. At the Edinburgh TV Festival, senior BBC executives emphasised the corporation’s commitment to the long-running science-fiction series, even as the production of a new spinoff focusing on UNIT progresses and fans await a clearer timeline for future seasons.

The message from the BBC’s leadership is twofold. First, the network underscored that the Beeb remains fully invested in Doctor Who, and that the show will stay on BBC platforms irrespective of any partnership changes with Disney. Second, executives indicated that a forthcoming spinoff, The War Between the Land and the Sea, is moving forward as part of a broader expansion of the Whoniverse, with production timelines hinting at a 2026 or near-future release window. The remarks come amid months of speculation about whether Disney would renew its worldwide distribution deal, which has influenced how Doctor Who is produced and marketed across platforms beyond the UK.

The latest season, still designated as Season 15, ended...