A BBC Worldwide press release hints that Doctor Who will stick around until at least its fifteenth series...
Doctor Who TV has dropped new details that seem to confirm the future of Doctor Who for the next couple of years despite the fact that ratings have continued to dip throughout the last few years.
Essentially, BBC Worldwide has put out a press release to announce a new deal with a Chinese media company. The deal in question between the BBC and Shanghai Media Group Pictures will expand the Doctor Who brand in China. This means that the entire catalog of Doctor Who series, including the spinoffs Torchwood and Class, be made available on Chinese TV channels and on-demand platforms.
One paragraph of the press bumf seems to suggest that the network is planning for Doctor Who - in its current, post-relaunch state - to run until at least its fifteenth series.
"The deal not only covers showrunners Russell T. Davies and Steven Moffat’s series 1-10, but also incoming showrunner Chris Chibnall’s yet-to-film series 11, as well as a first look for series 12-15," says the press release.
We wouldn't go so far as to take this as an official renewal confirming the existence of Doctor Who series 12, 13, 14 and 15. But it's nice to know that, at least in terms of inking deals, the BBC is thinking that far ahead. Clearly, the broadcaster's plans for Doctor Who stretch far into the future.
As ever with an expensive TV project, one duff series which nobody watches could throw a spanner in the works for such grand long-term plans, but the chances of that happening - now that Who is such a huge global behemoth - seem pretty slim. Knock on wood.
We'll keep you posted as we hear more.
