BBC Worldwide has announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with leading Chinese media company Shanghai Media Group Pictures (SMGP) that is set to see expansion of the Doctor Who brand in China.
Every episode of Doctor Who since 2005 – plus the spin-off shows Torchwood and Class – will be available on popular TV channels and on-demand platforms throughout the country.
The arrangement with SMGP covers not only the ten series (plus the various Specials) that have already been produced since 2005, but also incoming showrunner Chris Chibnall’s first series – on air in 2018 – as well as first refusal on a further four series, should they be commissioned by BBC One in due course. Although this announcement doesn’t guarantee that these series will be made, it does indicate an air of optimism about the long-term future of the show, as it approaches its 60th anniversary in 2023.