Disney+ and BBC‘s Fractured relationship Delays ‘War Between the Land and the Sea’ International Release
The upcoming Doctor Who spinoff, War Between the Land and the Sea, will premiere December 7th in the UK with a two-part launch, followed by weekly episodes throughout the month. However, international audiences face a significant wait, as the series will not receive a simultaneous release on Disney+ and is currently slated for a 2026 debut on the streaming platform.
This staggered rollout reflects a growing rift between Disney and the BBC, stemming from broadcast strategy disagreements over the main Doctor Who series.For the past two seasons, the BBC controversially shifted UK broadcast times to prioritize streaming-first releases to align with US premiere times on Disney+. Disney repeatedly cited diminished UK audience figures-attributed to this change-as a key factor in evaluating its partnership with the BBC.
The situation has evolved to the point where the BBC appears to be prioritizing the UK market. while the future of the core Doctor Who series remains uncertain beyond 2026,international fans will experience a delay in accessing any new content from the Whoniverse. Disney representatives have only confirmed the 2026 release window for War Between the Land and the Sea on Disney+, offering no further details.
War Between centers on UNIT’s confrontation with the return of the Sea Devils, an ancient race predating humanity. The series’ exclusive initial release in the UK marks a departure from the recent, more coordinated broadcast approach with Disney+.
