After nearly 60 years, Doctor Who is leaving Aunty and moving in with the Mouse. The much-loved British science fiction show is no longer available to watch on the ABC for the first time since 1965, dematerialising from Australian free-to-air television after the BBC signed a deal with Disney to distribute it around the world.
Australia has a long and meaningful relationship with Doctor Who: the Australian composer Ron Grainer wrote the original theme song, and a surly flight attendant from Brisbane served as one of the Doctor’s most memorable – and loud – companions. (Janet Fielding, who played Tegan Jovanka, companion to the fourth and fifth Doctors.)
