The Hollywood news website, Deadline, has been addressing the question of Doctor Who’s future with Disney. And it’s not entirely optimistic.

In May, eyebrows were raised when Doctor Who failed to be a major feature at the important North Javits Centre presentation of Disney’s new productions. Deadline wrote:

“Noises that it may not last beyond its initial two seasons are already reverberating around international TV circles, and one source close to the production tells us that they feel its future hangs in the balance already.”

“Well connected sources” have told Deadline that the injection of cash from Disney has pushed the show’s budget up to £10 million per episode. Some valued the deal at around £100 million. These estimates have been debunked by showrunner, Russell T Davies, however.

Deadline also drew attention to the complex picture provided by the ratings, which is supposedly giving Disney pause for thought:

“When consolidated seven-day viewing figures were taken into account, the entire series averaged an audience down almost 1.5 million per episode compared to Whittaker’s last in 2021, according to Barb data supplied by overnights.tv”.

The BBC has insisted that overnights and even 7-day ratings fail to provide a comprehensive picture, pointing out that Doctor Who is the top-rated drama for the under-35 age group this year.

One “industry source” who spoke to Deadline said that they were not convinced by the BBC spin. “The ratings are a problem,” said the source. “They’re still down from the specials and down from the Jodie series. Disney will want to see results.” Another respected “source” considers the ratings on Disney+ as “underwhelming”, while “a Disney insider” described them as “okay but not stellar”.

A further source apparently told Deadline that Disney will have to make a decision on a third season soon after The War Between the Land and the Sea wraps. Although the second season has been filmed, this source suggested that the final scene has been left open for the Doctor to regenerate should Ncuti Gatwa, who is much in demand, decide to move on. (And, presumably, if the BBC and/or Disney, commit to a third season.)

So, how authoritative is Deadline’s report? It chimes with other chatter in the wider media, but with how much of a pinch of salt should we take it?

However big a pinch of salt you consider appropriate, remember to keep some in reserve as a sure defence against the Fendahleen…