Radio Times has more info on the tender process, and what it means in this context.
Tenders are usually issued by large companies or public bodies like local authorities, and the chosen bidder gets paid to provide a specific service like recruitment or security for them.
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BBC programmes have gone out for tender before, lots of times; it just means that other production companies have a chance to take a crack at it and bring new voices to the table. It’s something they are required to do by the BBC Charter. This is also not the same thing as trying to find a streaming partner for the show.
According to the statement, the BBC will announce details of their tender process “in due course”. When it’s ready it will go live on their dedicated tendering site, the BBC eSourcing Portal.
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A typical tender process starts with a tender eligibility form (TEF) so they can shortlist financially stable companies who have at least half a chance of getting something done. A full tender invitation comes to those who pass the TEF and they must sign an NDA.
Production companies will answer a series of questions like mini essays, where the question tells you exactly what they want to hear. Once the tender is submitted (usually about a month after it opens), the assessment takes between 1-3 months. The BBC will invite presentations or pitches from shortlisted bidders once the assessment ends. For a huge show like this, only a few big companies will be in the running.
Once the decision is made, all bidders are told and the standstill period begins. This is 8-10 working days and lets bidders challenge the decision if they feel it was wrong. If there are no issues, the contract can go ahead on the agreed date, and we’ll get an announcement.
It’s important to note that the BBC aren’t selling the show as part of this process. The broadcaster confirmed: “The BBC retains all IP in Doctor Who. BBC Studios will continue to lead the global distribution of Doctor Who as well as licensing, consumer products, digital and immersive experiences on behalf of the BBC.”
Thanks for this. A lot of online comments seem to mistake “put out to tender” for being put to pasture. It’s a little less dramatic than that at this point, but then the fandom seems to be a drama all of its own sometimes.
The sky has always been falling, and will continue to fall forevermore.
You mean “The Doctor”. Or wait, is it “Gallifrey”?
Does this mean it could come back with a smaller budget? I actually think that could be good, but don’t fully understand the BBC jargon.
I think it’s practically a necessity at this point. I’m not in the camp of “Doctor Who should have a shoestring budget,” but it could probably contract to at least the equivalent of what it was during the Chibnall era.
To be fair, the Chibnall run looked really good to me. I don’t want to stir the “Chibnall bad” pot, but the visual effects were absolutely top notch for a BBC produced show. Same with all of Moffat’s seasons.
What they can afford now vs then is a completely different matter, but the fact that they’re looking to do a solicitation round for external production companies might be telling. AFAICT the BBC’s charter is up for renewal next year, and that may determine their finances going forward?
the visual effects were absolutely top notch for a BBC produced show.
No disagreement here - I’d be quite happy to return to that.
So many missteps. So many bad decisions. It would take a miracle for Dr Who to get back to where it once was. In the meantime we’ll always have Matt Smith 🙂
The thing about Doctor Who is that everybody has a favourite era, even the new seasons.
Personally, I would not look back at the bloated-story-mess of the Moffat era and Matt Smith’s Doctor as the golden years. But I understand that people loved how to show changed in that period.
In 10 years, someone will look back at the Gatwa or Whittaker episodes with the same fondness people have for Smith or Capaldi or Eccleston today.
