‘Doctor Who’ May Be Heading to Amazon as Prime Video Execs Discuss Future

‘Doctor Who‘ has transitioned between streaming platforms more frequently than many long-standing franchises, with its international distribution rights changing hands as various services have supported the BBC’s flagship sci-fi series. This instability has intensified since Disney+ ended its partnership with BBC Studios after just two seasons and the spin-off ‘The War Between Land and Sea,’ a collaboration that reportedly faced challenges with high per-episode costs and lackluster ratings.

As the future distribution of the show remains uncertain, industry observers are closely monitoring any clues about potential new partners. This topic arose directly this week at the Edinburgh TV Festival, where executives from Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios addressed it in real time.

According to Deadline, Oliver Jones, Prime Video’s UK Senior Commissioner for Scripted, expressed his admiration for ‘Doctor Who’ and indicated that Prime Video is open to discussions regarding the IP. While Deadline noted that there is no indication of Prime Video actively pursuing a deal for the series, several attendees at the festival reportedly felt that the idea had not been outright rejected.

Jones’ remarks came during a particularly busy week for Prime Video’s UK originals lineup. The streamer recently unveiled a documentary series focused on Formula 1 driver Lando Norris, another featuring Peter Crouch and Abby Clancy, a Stephen King-inspired drama titled ‘Crouch End,’ and casting updates for Season 3 of ‘LOL: Last One Laughing UK.’

Nicole Clemens, Amazon MGM Studios’ VP of International Originals based in London, also emphasized during the event that investment in British content is on the rise, with commissioning decisions for the UK now being made locally rather than routed through the U.S. Jones, who recently returned to Amazon after a stint at Apple, outlined a broader programming wish list, highlighting a desire for commercially appealing shows that still possess a distinct sense of authorship.

Prime Video wasn’t the only platform questioned about ‘Doctor Who’ at the festival. Netflix executives also faced similar inquiries and responded in a noncommittal manner, indicating that streamers are keen to express interest without formally entering a bidding process that has yet to be established.

This is largely due to the BBC’s announcement in June that it would open the rights to ‘Doctor Who’ for competitive tender, allowing production companies to propose their ideas for the series moving forward. However, this tender process has reportedly not yet commenced, and no specific timeline has been set, with some insiders suggesting that the show may not return until 2028 at the earliest.

Given the uncertainty surrounding the show’s next chapter, comments like those from Jones are likely to continue fueling speculation among fans eager to see where ‘Doctor Who’ will land next. For now, all parties seem to be preparing for a conversation that has yet to officially begin.

This positioning is understandable given the stakes involved. The platform that ultimately secures international rights to ‘Doctor Who’ would gain access to one of British television’s most iconic and enduring franchises, boasting a built-in global fanbase that has followed the show across various streaming homes over the past decade. With the BBC’s tender process still not officially underway, any significant progress on a new deal is likely still months away.

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