After more than 50 years of broadcasting, The ABC has broadcast its final episode of the classic UK sci-fi series Doctor Who.
The change comes after the BBC confirmed it had signed a new deal that will see streaming giant Disney+ become the new home for the iconic series in all countries outside of the UK and Ireland.
New episodes of Doctor Who will return to Australian screens in November 2023 on Disney+ to coincide with the 60th anniversary.
David Tennant will play the Fourteenth Doctor for three specials, before Ncuti Gatwa takes over the role as the Fifteenth Doctor over the festive season.
The ABC recently extended its content output deal with the BBC securing a number of new programming titles, however Doctor Who was excluded from the new arrangement
A spokesperson for the ABC confirmed the broadcaster was disappointed by the decision telling TV Blackbox;
“After a long friendship, spanning more than 50 years, the universe has called the Doctor in a different direction and Doctor Who will no longer appear on the ABC beyond the current season.”
The spokesperson went on to add;
“ABC audiences can currently enjoy past seasons of Doctor Who , including the recent Centenary Special, on ABC iview.
We are incredibly grateful to the generations of Whovians who have enjoyed Doctor Who with us on the ABC.
Everyone at the ABC wishes the Doctor well on their adventures and we hope the Time Lord will visit us again at some stage in the future.”
The BBC and Disney+ have confirmed they are set to align under returning showrunner Russell T Davies’ bold vision, who takes control of the TARDIS in 2023.
He was responsible for Doctor Who’s revival in 2005 and is credited with propelling the show into one of TV’s biggest hits.
The new season of Doctor Who will be produced in Wales by Bad Wolf with BBC Studios Production.Â
Russell T Davies says:Â
“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.”Â
Charlotte Moore, BBC’s Chief Content Officer says:Â
“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.”
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.”
Could you imagine Mickey Mouse as a guest star on “Dr Who” confronting a “Dalek”.
The “Dalek” responds with “Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!”
Anthony of exciting Belfield, in the land of the Wangal and Darug Peoples of the Eora Nation.