So I guess this means that not only will that massive cliffhanger not be resolved for years, but whatever resolution we do get, assuming anyone picks this up, won't be what they originally had in mind. Disappointing news, to be sure.
It was just a gag RTD thought of a couple of weeks before transmission, when he realised it would be his final episode and there was no successor to regenerate to.
Would be my tentative first guess but that would be at least as big a piece of news, no? And they're also included in the decision to not do the special, according to the text.
BBC in-house producers were producing solely for the BBC, which meant if their proposals weren’t commissioned there, they were dead. In 2017, in-house production was spun off as a commercial subsidiary, BBC Studios, that for the first time was permitted to seek business from outside the BBC. It now produces content for all major UK broadcasters.
As the BBC Charter forbids it from distorting the market, and as BBC Studios became a major new entrant into the commercial production sector, a compromise was made whereby a selection of some of the BBC’s stalwart shows were made available by competitive tender.
In this process, the contract to produce a show is put to tender to the independent production companies and to BBC Studios, with the bid representing best value to the licence fee payer winning. All rights and editorial control remain with the BBC.
While the BBC appointed Bad Wolf as production contractor for Doctor Who in 2022, this will be the first time Doctor Who has been available to competitive tender.
Exciting announcement! The one thing you thought you knew you were going to get isn't happening! We have no idea what's going to happen instead! Here's to the future!
I feel like this is a missed opportunity. Have a one-off special with Billy Piper, indicate that a lot of off screen adventures have happened, then transition into the next permanent Doctor.
unpopular opinion but the Billy Piper reveal pissed me off. Not because I didn't want a Rose Tyler Doctor, but because I didn't want a stupid 'gotcha' moment where the Doctor sneezes and her face is gone or a single special with her as The Doctor. I wanted a FULL Rose Tyler Doctor season and pulling her in like this pretty much kills any chance of that.
Looking forward to seeing Shonda Rimes or the company that makes those endless Law and Order tv shows bid for Doctor Who. I can't see anything good coming out of this sale.
The BBC’s open tender scheme is not new, it’s just new to Doctor Who. IP remains with the BBC on all tendered contracts. Besides, they’re not letting one of their biggest properties get out of their total control. The only time they ceded IP rights to an external producer was for the movie, and what a headache that was.
But if you really need reassurance, this from the BBC Commissioning site:
The BBC retains all IP in Doctor Who. BBC Studios will continue to lead the global distribution of Doctor Who as well as licensing, consumer products, digital and immersive experiences on behalf of the BBC.
22 Comments
Kernal64@sh.itjust.works · 15 pts · 92d
So I guess this means that not only will that massive cliffhanger not be resolved for years, but whatever resolution we do get, assuming anyone picks this up, won't be what they originally had in mind. Disappointing news, to be sure.
ohulancutash@feddit.uk · 3 pts · 92d
It was just a gag RTD thought of a couple of weeks before transmission, when he realised it would be his final episode and there was no successor to regenerate to.
Lumidaub@feddit.org · 8 pts · 92d
What's that mean? Probably has to do with being a public service broadcaster?
Astrealix@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 92d
I think it means Bad Wolf Studios is out, right?
Vittelius@feddit.org · 8 pts · 92d
That's what it means. Deadline confirms that both RTD and Bad Wolf are out: https://deadline.com/2026/06/doctor-who-christmas-canceled-russell-t-davies-bbc-bad-wolf-1236952398/
Lumidaub@feddit.org · 3 pts · 92d
Ah, so RTD posted on Instagram. Okay. That's a lot clearer then. thank you for the link.
Lumidaub@feddit.org · 3 pts · 92d
Would be my tentative first guess but that would be at least as big a piece of news, no? And they're also included in the decision to not do the special, according to the text.
ohulancutash@feddit.uk · 6 pts · 92d
BBC in-house producers were producing solely for the BBC, which meant if their proposals weren’t commissioned there, they were dead. In 2017, in-house production was spun off as a commercial subsidiary, BBC Studios, that for the first time was permitted to seek business from outside the BBC. It now produces content for all major UK broadcasters.
As the BBC Charter forbids it from distorting the market, and as BBC Studios became a major new entrant into the commercial production sector, a compromise was made whereby a selection of some of the BBC’s stalwart shows were made available by competitive tender.
In this process, the contract to produce a show is put to tender to the independent production companies and to BBC Studios, with the bid representing best value to the licence fee payer winning. All rights and editorial control remain with the BBC.
While the BBC appointed Bad Wolf as production contractor for Doctor Who in 2022, this will be the first time Doctor Who has been available to competitive tender.
stoly@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 91d
They are looking for some company to come in and produce a new series. This will be another hard reboot.
theywilleatthestars@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 92d
Exciting announcement! The one thing you thought you knew you were going to get isn't happening! We have no idea what's going to happen instead! Here's to the future!
Taleya@aussie.zone · 4 pts · 91d
laughs in classic fan
stoly@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 91d
I feel like this is a missed opportunity. Have a one-off special with Billy Piper, indicate that a lot of off screen adventures have happened, then transition into the next permanent Doctor.
StarryPhoenix97@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 91d
unpopular opinion but the Billy Piper reveal pissed me off. Not because I didn't want a Rose Tyler Doctor, but because I didn't want a stupid 'gotcha' moment where the Doctor sneezes and her face is gone or a single special with her as The Doctor. I wanted a FULL Rose Tyler Doctor season and pulling her in like this pretty much kills any chance of that.
stoly@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 91d
I don't think that it's an unpopular opinion. It was very strange to do and we may never get any real followup for it. Really too bad.
Wataba@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 91d
It was the final nail for me. I dont like Piper, and seeing that godawful 'grin' turned my stomach.
Neo-RTD was a mistake.
tenebrisnox@feddit.uk · 3 pts · 91d
Looking forward to seeing Shonda Rimes or the company that makes those endless Law and Order tv shows bid for Doctor Who. I can't see anything good coming out of this sale.
ohulancutash@feddit.uk · 1 pts · 91d
Its not a sale, it’s a supply tender.
tenebrisnox@feddit.uk · 1 pts · 90d
It's a "make it for us" with a cut of the IP rights.
ohulancutash@feddit.uk · 2 pts · 90d
No, all IP rights remain with the BBC.
tenebrisnox@feddit.uk · 1 pts · 90d
Where did you read that?
ohulancutash@feddit.uk · 1 pts · 90d
The BBC’s open tender scheme is not new, it’s just new to Doctor Who. IP remains with the BBC on all tendered contracts. Besides, they’re not letting one of their biggest properties get out of their total control. The only time they ceded IP rights to an external producer was for the movie, and what a headache that was.
But if you really need reassurance, this from the BBC Commissioning site:
tenebrisnox@feddit.uk · 1 pts · 90d
Good stuff. Thank you for the info.