February 7th, 2026
51 comments
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Doctor Who From Big Finish Guaranteed until The End of 2035
Doctor Who audio dramas from Big Finish guaranteed until the end of 2035
EMBARGOED UNTIL 19:00 (UK TIME) SATURDAY 07 FEBRUARY 2026
Big Finish Productions is delighted to confirm that its licence to produce Doctor Who audio dramas has been renewed – securing brand-new adventures for listeners until the end of 2035.
Since launching its first Doctor Who release in 1999, Big Finish has produced thousands of hours of full-cast audio drama, bringing back Doctors, companions and aliens from across the Whoniverse, while also introducing new characters, worlds and series that have become part of the wider Doctor Who storytelling tapestry.
The renewed agreement means Big Finish can continue creating new stories featuring the Doctor and friends, alongside the wide range of Doctor Who ranges already available as digital download to own and various collector’s edition formats.
Jan Paterson, Director of Books and Audio at BBC Studios, said: “Big Finish has played a pivotal role in expanding the Doctor Who universe for more than 25 years, consistently delivering stories that honour the legacy of Doctor Who and bringing fans new adventures that are imaginative, bold and full of heart. This renewal reflects not only our confidence in Big Finish’s creativity and ambition, but also the strength of collaboration across our licensee community. We’re incredibly proud to continue this journey together and look forward to seeing and hearing where their creativity takes the Doctor next.”
Jason Haigh-Ellery, chairman of Big Finish Productions, said: “This is wonderful news for everyone who’s made Big Finish part of their Doctor Who journey. Being licensed until the end of 2035 lets us plan further ahead than ever. And that means bigger stories, more ambitious series, and plenty of surprises… We can’t wait to share what’s coming.”
Nicholas Briggs, executive producer and creative director at Big Finish, added: “We’ve been telling Doctor Who stories for over a quarter of a century now, and the joy is that it still feels like we’re only just getting started. One of my favourite aspects of Doctor Who is that it never runs out of space and time to explore. Eternity and the universe create a limitless canvas to work on!”
Big Finish listeners can explore the full range of Doctor Who audio dramas at www.bigfinish.com
Dedicated Doctor Who fans might like to know that a 15-release bundle (which includes all the Classic Doctor adventures released in 2026) is available to purchase in the following formats:
Download to own for just £285.
Download to own (+ collector’s edition CD) for just £352.50. Due to the strictly limited pressing of collector’s edition CDs, there will be no more than 1,000 bundles available for purchase at this price.
Confirmed titles for 2026’s Doctor Who ranges already include:
February
The Third Doctor Adventures: The Imposters
March
The Fourth Doctor Adventures: The Ministry of Death, The First Doctor Adventures: Beware the City of Illusions and The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures: The Violet Hour
April
The Ninth Doctor Adventures: Pandemonium and The Sixth Doctor Adventures: Expulsion
For the latest Big Finish news, announcements and behind-the-scenes updates, visit:www.bigfinish.com/news
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Query
February 11th, 2026 - 1:57pmWould love a Tardis-shaped external hard drive for all my Big Finish downloads. Anyone make those?
Loobop
February 11th, 2026 - 1:28pmI’m surprised they got renewed,i keep seeing things on youtube saying like bbc wants nothing to do with dr who anymore,then there are others saying like david tennant is coming back yet again because he recently cancelled some comic com event in February saying it clashed with his busy schedule.To be honest i thought david had killed his tv career since he became tangled up in the whole trans arguement.
Rex F
February 11th, 2026 - 1:55pmIt’s easy money for BBC Studios now, for doing very little – and BF are hardly going to rock the boat with their tiny thing. As for YouTube, it’s YouTube – clicks before truth.
bryan
February 11th, 2026 - 2:42pmDavid Tennant is filming Rivals for sky. Series 1 was a huge hit, and series 3 is almost green lit.
Was in Netflix Thursday Murder club movie another big hitter.
Rumour he is in the Luther film. And Red nose day presenting.
His career is still at the Top. Very respected and easy to work with.
DW will always be in his blood for BF or BBC 3 Dr’s style adventure.
But Rumours are Rumours click Bait.
Moodbeam
February 12th, 2026 - 11:13amWith the revenue Who generates from merchandise and licensing there’s no way the BBC will abandon it. They’ll keep it alive somehow, it’s far too profitable to be forgotten.
Scotel
February 12th, 2026 - 2:33pmIf you think David Tenannt has been cancelled because he’s supportive of his kid then I think that says more about the spaces you’re in online than the state of Doctor Who.
Kev
February 12th, 2026 - 3:43pmLoobop they would hardly be making more if they were distancing!
More then 2 alphabets
February 12th, 2026 - 10:47pmSo tired of this nonsense statement that the bbc is giving up on doctor who…..its not 1986!
The BBC is looking to partner with streaming companies cause lets face it, bbc iplayer is almost UK exclusive.
Doctor who is the most profitable thing they have, the show makes more money in merchandise then it costs to make.
BBC dont want to give up their meal ticket, they juat want to expand. They got it wrong with disney Plus as they essentially forces disney to take doctor who in order for them to get what they actually wanted which was Bluey. Doctor who should never be the bridesmaid in a streaming deal, it should be front and centre.
I just never understand why people who claim to be fans spread this nonsense that the show is unwanted
Kevin225
February 9th, 2026 - 6:47pmAnother thing – it would be helpful if Big Finish could get Apple Car Play to work it might help with these new fangled download things….
First World problems, I know…..
bryan
February 9th, 2026 - 9:15pmIt works for us (nissan) ,we always download Audiobook,rather than MP3 on the phone(10 or X) (oh to have a car with a memory card storage space) If that helps.
Kev
February 10th, 2026 - 9:26amAndroid Auto just works directly from the BF app, does Appleplay not just work the same without having to download different formats? Just curious as I’ve never had Apple technology as it limits you too much re apps etc.
Kevin225
February 10th, 2026 - 6:42pmThanks Bryan for your advice, I have a VW and will see if you solution works.
Nick
February 9th, 2026 - 6:21pmI really hope Big Finish keep going and I couldn’t be more pleased to hear that they have the licence until 2035! What an amazing achievement. Well done Big Finish! For me though with the recent increase in prices for CD collections and like with others who have collected since 1999, downloads do not appeal to me, I like physical media and that is just becoming too expensive now. I will enjoy the productions whilst I can afford them, but not before long I will have to say “So long and thanks for all the fish” – it’s been an amazing journey and I really hope there are lots of new fans who love the downloads and love Big Finish as much as I have done over the years.
Nick
February 9th, 2026 - 9:17pmYou know what, I felt quite sad writing this afterwards. Thought may be it’s time to move with the times, save a bit of money and embrace downloads. I would so miss the Big Finish productions! And blow it, let’s go to 2035 with them, yep, I think I will have some more fish please!
Timelord1963
February 9th, 2026 - 1:53pmThat’s good news but I can’t see me continuing with them until then especially if they are going to go to download only. Been with them since 1999 and have virtually every Doctor Who release plus spin offs as well as other ranges such as Sapphire & Steel, Prisoner, Adam Adamant. Have always collected the CDs and over the years have probably spent thousands upon thousands of pounds. I have little interest in downloads especially at the price they are and not physically owning them. It really is not the same pleasure and enjoyment downloading a digital file to holding and playing a physical copy. At least though I’ll have more money in my pocket rather than theirs.
Kev
February 10th, 2026 - 9:29amWhat a ridiculous reason not to buy something, because its not in your preferred format. We might not like it but we have to move with the times (most cars no longer have cd players for example).
I bet you complained about self checkouts too…….
Timelord1963
February 10th, 2026 - 2:57pmTo Kev – Can you not be so rude and bullying just because I have expressed MY opinion. I actually use self checkouts but that is a stupid comparison. I am entitled to still want to listen to their audios on CD as that is MY enjoyment.
Ano miss
February 10th, 2026 - 3:24pmIt’s not a ridiculous reason at all. It’s a perfectly valid reason. Moving with the times is fine but frankly downloads aren’t of any interest to me. I have friends who downloaded music, films and books only to lose some of those items when they were removed from sale. You don’t own a download you essentially rent it. If however you own a cd/dvd/bluray then that is yours. That is what collecting is… physically owning something not a electronic parcel in a cloud somewhere.
beef
February 10th, 2026 - 4:18pmif you download it then it is by definition not in the cloud. CDs decay, all physical media does. I like having a nice box on the shelf too but you can’t argue that digital formats aren’t more convenient for consumption and more reliable when you can have as many backups as you please.
Nick
February 10th, 2026 - 5:14pmI was really dubious about downloads but decided to looked more in to it last night. I was concerned about sound quality but what I understand is that the bitrate of the Big Finish MP3s digital downloads is typically around 320kbps, although MP3s use lossy audio (some information is lost), because the bitrate is high, it’s near near CD sound quality anyway. And another concern was about losing files. Big Finish, so I understand, runs a DRM-Free (Digital Rights Management) policy so means the digital download remains in the customer’s account for free as a backup. Also the files are not locked by software, once downloaded they belong to the customer. I have been really dubious about downloads. But I think I would rather give them a try rather than miss out on some really good productions. The artwork covers are still accessible and on some MP3 players the library of the covers can be seen. Like having a digital bookshelf. As others have pointed out CDs may not last forever, although I think Big Finish CDs are of good quality, digital downloads would certainly avoid those physical storage issues.
Nick
February 10th, 2026 - 5:29pmLooking again there seems to be conflicting information from various sources about the MP3 bitrate, may be a lower bitrate, but the sound quality is still going to be really good. I am willing to give them a go.
Nick
February 10th, 2026 - 5:36pmJust to add the DRM- free means a licenced copy for personal use.
Missyrules
February 10th, 2026 - 5:55pmNick it does mean if bf were to delete old stories from there archives they would no longer be on the accounts. Companies are under no obligation to continue to allow you access to the download.
Nick
February 10th, 2026 - 6:04pmThanks Missy rules, I was thinking the same, so what is Big Finish’s policy for customers backing up their own Big Finish MP3 files for personal usage? Where does the customer legally stand? No back-up, that puts me right off.
Whofan44
February 10th, 2026 - 6:20pmNick- Big Finish have no issue with people backing up there audios in fact they encourage it. If you go to the FAQ section of the website you will see this as the answer to a question:
*Big Finish strongly advises all our customers to ensure that you have downloaded all the content from our website that you have purchased and retain backup copies offline, to safeguard against future disappointment or loss of access eg if BFP rights expire and we are no longer able to offer the content via our website. Please be aware that downloading within the BF App does not constitute an offline backup. You should visit My Account via the website, and access the zips attached to each release in your purchase history.*
A little further down they also say this:
*Big Finish Productions is happy for our customers to copy purchased CD content for digital playback, or burn purchased downloads to CD, as long as it is strictly for personal use.*
Nick
February 10th, 2026 - 6:27pmThanks WhoFan44 just been to the Big Finish website and been reading about it too. Great, digital downloads sounds like a way forward for me. I shall enjoy the next 10 years!
Whofan44
February 10th, 2026 - 6:59pmI would suggest getting an external hard drive as well. In times when my computer has died on me it has saved me having to redownload everything.
While I will always prefer CD and will buy them when available I have fully accepted that download only stuff is going to be more common. I have also reached the downside of CDs of running out of room.
DoctorDodhod
February 11th, 2026 - 6:43amMy personal strategy is to download the MP3s to an external drive, and upload them to my OneDrive cloud storage (I pay for a business plan which has 1TB of space) – I also use the Apple Music app on my Windows laptop to upload each boxset / release to my Apple Music library, and sync it to cloud so it’s available on my iPhone should the Big Finish App ever go bust or not be working.
MJS
February 8th, 2026 - 8:18pmI’m really glad about this but I do think there’s just too many releases now. I’m collecting the ninth and thirteenth doctor releases, but I don’t want other actors imitating the past Doctors or even Smith & Capaldi. This may seem controversial and I know these spin-offs have their fans, but there’s a real danger of over saturation.
For me, the best thing Big Finish have done in a long time was the V:UK series
More then 2 alphabets
February 9th, 2026 - 5:34amBig finish output has actually gone down considerably over the last 12 months.
UNIT is virtually none existent, torchwood is coming to a end in terms of regular series. River song, war master and other ranges have effectively halved their annual output.
DDD
February 9th, 2026 - 6:25amIm happy with this as long as Big Finish are never ever classed as Canon and only as ‘alternative adventures’ due to the sheer saturation of adventures. If they only have one release every other month or so it would be a different story but a person ( timelord) can only have so many adventures.
John
February 9th, 2026 - 9:17amDDD Arguably its been sort of Canon since Night of the Doctor, though that was a webcast rather than tv.
Joe Cat
February 9th, 2026 - 9:29pmAgreed, I have no interest whatsoever in hearing Jon Culshaw impersonating Peter Capaldi. At the risk of sounding controversial and desperately not wanting to be offensive, Culshaw is way too ubiquitous in the various worlds of Who audio to the point that I don’t particularly enjoy hearing his voice anymore. I really struggled to get through the BBC audiobook of “The Pirate Planet” recently, whereas I was really blown away by “The Five Doctors” many years back. I just can’t see the point in impersonating Peter Capaldi, whereas I can see an argument for the Brigadier’s character.
I am very selective about which ranges I bother with, the financial considerations are significant but I also find a lot of Big Finish to be very hit and miss, still am delighted to see their license to produce Doctor Who has been extended, though I doubt very much they will ever get the actual Capaldi on board and I don’t think hiring someone else will do much to convince him to revive the role of the Twelth Doctor
David
February 8th, 2026 - 7:13pmBig finish has produced some of the best stories for the show, I am glad that is going to continue for many years to come.
Professor Litefoot
February 8th, 2026 - 6:01pmYou know, I personally haven’t found Big Finish’s Doctor Who storytelling output to be meaningful or satisfying in any way since Dark Eyes 1 or so. When I look back to Evelyn Smythe, Hex, Erimem, I see real weighty stories about people. Feels these days like every production is kind of there to pad out the wiki, like the mission was successful and now we’re on our 15th year of victory laps. Diluted, as Alan says, is about right.
Weirdly, the War Master range is the only glimmer of that storytelling muscle that I can find at Big Finish anymore, taking over where Jago & Litefoot sadly left off. It’s no competition to something like the Lucie Miller days, but I do find myself moved by it at times, and definitely feels more organic and about humanity than yet another box set of Liv Chenka sneering.
I really loved Big Finish, but these days it’s like they lack raison d’etre, which is doubly weird because the TV show has arguably never been worse.
Bluewheel1995
February 11th, 2026 - 3:29pmYou have hit the nail on tbe head with this post
MaxPunk57
February 17th, 2026 - 11:50pm100% dead on.
Honestly I’m still waiting for Big Finish to Adapt More Dr. Who Novels & Comic Strip stories. The stories BF make nowadays are (without sounding rude or mean) just so bland & basic. It’s just slop at this point.
The novels & comics have so much more imagination & creative space that would be perfect for audio adaptations. I would pay so much money for Big Finish to do more 7th Doctor VNA’s, or The 8th Doctor Book arc’s. Alien Bodies, Fitz & Anji. Faction Paradox. Human TARDIS hybrids, Interference 1 & 2. The Earthbound arc, Frobisher Anything! I’ll take it! Just adapt anything! Even the Past Doctor books or the TV Comics/Polystyle comics.
Just Anything Original or Unique will do!
Alan Silvester
February 8th, 2026 - 11:49amGood news, if they listen to what their custmers actually want. Too many niche product ranges and “personal projects” have, in my opinion, diluted the output quality. I’m also feeling increasingly excluded by their “download only” policy. With the current state of the TV series, I don’t see there will be many new, younger fans jumping onboard any time soon, so BF need to look after their existing – and dare I say – older demographic. Yes, I understand about costs, etc, but continuing to give a pandemic that happened 6 years ago as an excuse to not listen to customers is wearing a bit thin. I’m not a casual buyer – I have 500-600 physical BF CD’s. I have invested in this company and I hope they don’t push me away. Now you can all shoot me down!!
Rob
February 8th, 2026 - 12:42pmThe problem was they were banking on the Nu Who series brining more people on board, so they heavily financial invested in more recent Doctors and companions.
I’ve not listened to any for years as it got too diluted. I remember subscribing from CD one back around 25 years ago.
Kevin225
February 8th, 2026 - 5:48pmAlan, I agree with a lot of what you say. Nicholas Briggs’s reply to a letter in the latest Vortex magazine is very interesting. If sales are considerably less if they don’t involve a TV Doctor, what happens when less Doctors are recording them (I don’t wish to be morbid, just realistic)?
I’m not keen on buying Download only (as with a lot of people with ‘large collections’ I was impacted when the site was down for weeks/months a while back). I found other things to listen to, which remain to this day and which means I struggle to keep up more than ever).
What I don’t understand is why there isn’t some kind of produce to order (if people are given a deadline to pre-order at say a defined price in order to receive a physical product). If a certain number of physical orders aren’t meant that perhaps the pre-order is cancelled and the customer gets a refund – isn’t everyone then a winner?
bryan
February 8th, 2026 - 8:26pmI think it unfair the Remark about Blaming the pandemic. What you may be missing, is The pandemic caused no end of problems for many business’s. One of which was staying afloat.A lot of companies ceased. A lot of the CDs ,Dvds and Blu Ray’s come from Poland. Ukraine war, stopped oil or made it harder to get and went expensive. Oil products,Grain starches, all 6-7 more expensive than 6 years ago. These are used to make CDs,
1.2mm thick, injection-moulded polycarbonate plastic layer, a thin reflective metal layer (usually aluminum), and a protective acrylic coating
Then Transport costs are through the roof, upto to 100% increase,as covid left Truckers at home with bills,older truckers left. The ones who do it wanted considerably more wages,but there’s still a shortage. Fuel up also.
BF can only do small batches ,even Tom only gets 1500 CDs per release. But smaller batches cost way more for less. Pre POD is also stupidly expensive,and is a CDr in a posh box .
I think BF are trying to get something out that’s thier own copyright,as well as brands.Its not cheap buying a Licence. Regardless what a few think, DW is still global smash,translated into 100 countries.
sorry if this sounds like a lecture, it’s just a heads up about costs.
More then 2 alphabets
February 9th, 2026 - 5:43amSo much assumption and conjecture. Its 2026 people, Sadly physical media isnt the main listener base now, most buy the CD to put on their self as collectors and listen on the app! Others sell the CDs on ebay! Big finish have stated that CDs are less the 1/3 of buyers now (see this month’s vortex) so its clear that they shouldn’t invest as the audience isn’t there, and lets be honest, the generation gap will soon kill off those that are CD only, not being mean but thats life.
The new doctors and new series bring in the customers, why do you think they invest in Eccleston and jodie etc etc…..it ain’t for fun people!!
And I love how its a “cause I buy alot big finish should listen to me”…..very silly. I own 1000+ of their CDs so does that make my opinion more valid?! Course not…..yeah DLO is disappointing
John
February 9th, 2026 - 9:21amAs one who mainly listens while travelling its download all the way these days for me!
I’ve only got Cds from before downloads were free and odd cheaply bought ones after.
A bit like my DVDs now its all on iplayer they just gather dust!
Timelord1963
February 9th, 2026 - 1:57pmSo totally agree. So many new releases have been download only and it’s very frustrating. Especially so with the 90’s UNIT boxsets which had the first two volumes on cd/download but switched to the latest two boxsets on download only.
Timelord1963
February 9th, 2026 - 2:01pmAlso they and others bang on about cd manufacturing costs, etc but I’ve been saying for years why don’t they make cheaper alternatives like housing the CDs in carboard wallets or digipaks. they don’t need to keep making them in big, chunky plastic cases.
Rex F
February 9th, 2026 - 3:05pmI don’t know how BF handle their downloads (not a fan of their stuff), but could they not make them available in a burn to CD-R format, with printable cover art?
davidhhh
February 10th, 2026 - 2:31pmThey are listening to their loyal customers. Just not the tiny handful who seem to think that they should make things just for them.
Timelord1963
February 10th, 2026 - 3:00pmTo davidhhh – You mean the loyal customers that have made sure they’re still around nearly 30 years later? oh god forbid our loyalty should count for anything.
Alan Silvester
February 10th, 2026 - 4:28pmDownloading and streaming is all very well until, ooh I don’t know, a disasterous website update leaves people unable to access their downloads, or a rights issues prevents people from watching the first TV episodes from 1963 and others. Plus, streamers can remove content at any time. As Timelord1963 says, a bit of loyalty wouldn’t go amiss. After the last 2 years of TV Who, there ain’t going to be many new customers jumping onboard – it simply didn’t engage, hence why Disney left. So I think – and yes, it’s my opinion – BF would be silly to lose custom at this point by going down the download only road.
bryan
February 7th, 2026 - 8:48pmAbsolutely superb news. Big applause for the BF team getting such an extension.
I have been here since 1999.I hope I’m still here in 2035. More epics to be told,more Doctors to be told. Now when is that Ace,Mel,Tegan series getting on.
Whofan44
February 7th, 2026 - 7:26pmBrilliant news. Love Big Finish and the stories they tell and glad I can continue to listen to audios for at least another 10 years.