Jed Mercurio and STV Studios among bidders in BBC Doctor Who production tender
After the BBC's competitive tender for Doctor Who closed, Deadline reported bids from Hat Trick Mercurio, World Productions and STV Studios, among others. Radio Times relayed the report.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 1Deadline reported on 7 October that Jed Mercurio, the Line of Duty showrunner, is spearheading a bid to produce Doctor Who after the BBC launched a competitive tender. DeadlineN “Deadline can reveal that the Line of Duty showrunner is spearheading a bid to produce Doctor Who after the BBC launched a competitive tender” Read at Deadline ↗ Centre · 2The bid comes from Hat Trick Mercurio, the company Mercurio runs with Hat Trick founder Jimmy Mulville, with Mercurio attached as an executive producer; the company declined to comment. DeadlineN “has submitted a proposal with Mercurio attached as an executive producer” Read at Deadline ↗ Radio TimesN “has submitted a proposal with Mercurio attached as an executive producer” Read at Radio Times ↗ Centre · 2Deadline said World Productions, another Line of Duty producer, has submitted separate plans and is, according to sources, effectively spearheading ITV Studios' efforts to land the contract; World declined comment. DeadlineN “Sources said that World is effectively spearheading ITV Studios’ efforts to land the contract.” Read at Deadline ↗ Radio TimesN “effectively spearheading ITV Studios' efforts to land the contract” Read at Radio Times ↗
Centre · 2STV Studios, which makes Blue Lights and Criminal Record, has reportedly teamed up with Screen Scotland on a bid to move the show to Scotland for Season 17; STV declined comment. DeadlineN “Deadline understands that the company has teamed up with Screen Scotland to table the proposal.” Read at Deadline ↗ Radio TimesN “which would move the show's production to Scotland” Read at Radio Times ↗ Centre · 2Two BBC Studios labels are also expected to bid, and Deadline said its list is not exhaustive, with speculation of a second Scottish bid involving a well-known Scottish actor. DeadlineN “There is speculation, for example, of a second Scottish bid with a well-known native actor thought to be interested in picking up the Sonic Screwdriver.” Read at Deadline ↗ Radio TimesN “It is also expected that two different BBC Studios labels have tabled bids to make Doctor Who” Read at Radio Times ↗ Centre · 1A24 UK, Playground, Mammoth Screen, New Pictures, Big Talk Studios, Expectation and Quay Street are not bidding; Deadline said several producers cited the lack of rights and the contract draining creative energy from other projects. DeadlineN “Among those not bidding are A24 UK, Playground, Mammoth Screen, New Pictures, Big Talk Studios, Expectation and Quay Street.” Read at Deadline ↗
Centre · 1One producer told Deadline that "Anyone with a pulse knows it will go to BBC Studios", while another called the job "a thankless task". DeadlineN ““Anyone with a pulse knows it will go to BBC Studios,” was the view of one producer.” Read at Deadline ↗ Centre · 2The BBC's tender asks for a series, including specials, for transmission in 2028/29, with an option to extend to a second series; it invited proposals for third-party investment but was not prescriptive about budgets, which has raised eyebrows among some producers. Radio TimesN “a multi-episodic series (including specials) for transmission in 2028/29, with an option to extend the contract at BBC’s discretion to produce a second series” Read at Radio Times ↗ DeadlineN “The BBC was not prescriptive about budgets but invited producers to propose “third-party investment.”” Read at Deadline ↗ Centre · 2Submissions closed last Friday; Deadline said interviews will be held in January and a contract awarded in March, while Radio Times said a decision will come in spring 2027. DeadlineN “Interviews with bidders will take place in January, with the BBC awarding a contract in March.” Read at Deadline ↗ Radio TimesN “A decision will be made in spring 2027.” Read at Radio Times ↗
Centre · 1The BBC has stipulated the show must be made outside London, and the series needs a refresh after showrunner Russell T Davies and producer Bad Wolf left. DeadlineN “The BBC has stipulated that Doctor Who must be made outside of London”“showrunner Russell T Davies and producer Bad Wolf abandoned ship” Read at Deadline ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Deadline broke the bids as an exclusive with a gossipy, trade-insider tone; Radio Times summarised Deadline's report and added quotes from World Productions' CEO and tender details.
- Emphasis
- Deadline stresses the Scotland bid, who declined to bid and producers' doubts; Radio Times stresses Mercurio and the tender document.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Radio Times leaves out the producers' sceptical quotes, the BBC Studios comments and the Scottish funding context.
- Charged language
- “audacious bid”“thankless task”
- For example
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“EXCLUSIVE: Could Jed Mercurio be about to take control of the TARDIS?” — Deadline
“The news was revealed by Deadline” — Radio Times
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Hat Trick Mercurio has submitted a bid with Jed Mercurio attached as executive producer.
- World Productions has submitted a separate bid reportedly led for ITV Studios.
- STV Studios is reported to have bid to move production to Scotland.
- The BBC will decide on the contract in spring 2027.
Jed Mercurio person
Mercurio is reported as attached to the Hat Trick Mercurio bid; his company declined to comment.
“HTM declined comment.” — Deadline
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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Mixed Exclusive, playful trade report listing bidders and non-bidders with sceptical industry voices.
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Neutral Secondary report relaying Deadline's bids with attribution and added tender details.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 7 Oct 08:12 First DeadlineN ‘Doctor Who’ Bids Revealed: Jed Mercurio Leads Pitch To Regenerate BBC Series, As STV Studios Plans To Transport TARDIS To Scotland
- 7 Oct 10:17 +2h 4m Radio TimesN Doctor Who competitive tender bids revealed as Line of Duty boss leads charge to regenerate iconic show
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.