I was under the impression that the BBC might be in active talks with potential streaming partners to fund new Doctor Who seasons… but apparently one of the likeliest candidates, HBO, hasn’t even been approached:
In conversation with Radio Times, Casey Bloys (chairman and CEO, HBO and Max Content) was asked if he’d be interested in partnering on Doctor Who – and Bloys also seemed open to the idea.
“It has not been presented to us,” he clarified. “As with anything, I would say ‘Never say never’ – it’s just not something that I know about.”
Unless the Beeb are covertly finalising a deal with, say Apple+, this sounds a bit like they’re sleeping at the wheel, and there is no active Who planning beyond this year’s special.
Oof, that means new episodes just slide further and further toward the horizon. They’ll need to sell rights to finance new productions, and with an uncertain future for the show, how attractive is it going to be to have it on your platform?
Yeah, it seems like even the old partners might be reluctant, having lost the rights once before.
At least HBO seem open to the proposal. It’s frustrating though, that apparently no formal inquiries has been made yet.