BBC Launches Tender for New Doctor Who Production Company

The British Broadcasting Corporation has launched a competitive tender for a new production company to make Doctor Who, with a target transmission date of 2028 or 2029. This move follows the conclusion of the BBC's partnership with Disney and the departure of showrunner Russell T Davies and producer Bad Wolf. In a document outlining the tender, the BBC stated it is seeking a vision for Doctor Who that remains relevant, surprising, brave, and inspiring for both longtime fans and new audiences. The broadcaster is flexible on the series structure, whether serialized or story-of-the-week, and the number of episodes per season. It also noted that it is not necessarily looking for a strict showrunner model, expecting episodic writers to be involved in production. Pitches must include at least one companion character and stories set in extraordinary times and places, ranging from historical settings to distant futures, alien worlds, and contemporary Earth. The BBC emphasized that the series should feel cinematic, distinctive, and ambitious, while delivering the show's signature "back of the sofa" scares and remaining suitable for a broad family audience.