The BBC is no longer going ahead with a “Doctor Who” Christmas special this year as planned and is putting the series out to competitive tender.
“As part of securing the next phase of the show for future generations, and in line with the BBC’s Charter and Agreement requirements, the BBC will put Doctor Who out to competitive tender this year,” a press release said on Wednesday. “‘Doctor Who’ remains an important part of the BBC and this tender underpins the BBC’s continued commitment to ‘Doctor Who’ ensuring audiences will enjoy the show for years to come.”
The release added that the BBC, Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have decided not to go ahead with the previously announced Christmas special. “This decision was not taken lightly, and we know it will be disappointing for fans, but in order to set the show up for future series, it was decided that rather than bridge the gap with a one off special, we are choosing to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show which ensures that when the TARDIS lands once more, it does so in all its glory,” the release stated.