The 60th anniversary of Doctor Who has brought excitement, but also some confusion for fans in the United States wanting to access the show. While UK viewers are enjoying the new Whoniverse on BBC iPlayer, a comprehensive archive of all things Doctor Who, American fans face a more fragmented landscape. Understanding where to stream different eras of Doctor Who in the USA can be tricky.
Navigating Modern Doctor Who (2005-Present) Streaming in the US
For fans looking to watch the modern Doctor Who series, which began in 2005, Max is currently the primary streaming service in the USA. Since May 2020, Max has held the rights to stream the revived series and its spin-offs like Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures. You can find seasons from 2005 onwards available on Max. However, it’s important to note that this streaming agreement is set to expire on July 27, 2025. So, for now, if you want to catch up on the adventures of the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Doctors, Max is your go-to platform.
Discovering Classic Doctor Who (1963-1989) Streaming Options
Accessing the classic era of Doctor Who, which spanned from 1963 to 1989, requires a different approach. Currently, BritBox holds the streaming rights to the classic series in the United States. BritBox offers a dedicated platform for British television, and within it, you can find a vast collection of classic Doctor Who episodes. BritBox is available as a standalone app and as a channel on Prime Video.
Karen Gillan playfully poses with an American flag, representing the desire of US fans to easily access Doctor Who streaming.
For fans seeking free options, Tubi TV has recently added a selection of classic Doctor Who episodes to its free streaming service. This provides a great way to sample the older series without a subscription. Additionally, Pluto TV offers a Doctor Who Classic channel. However, Pluto TV’s channel functions as a traditional broadcast channel, offering a curated, linear stream of episodes rather than on-demand viewing.
Streaming New Doctor Who Episodes in the USA
Looking ahead to the newest episodes of Doctor Who, Disney+ is the exclusive home for streaming outside of the UK. While Disney+ doesn’t currently host the older seasons, it is the destination for new adventures of the Doctor going forward. This means that for the latest installments, a Disney+ subscription will be necessary for US viewers.
The Fragmented Whoniverse in America
In conclusion, unlike the unified Whoniverse available in the UK, American Doctor Who fans must navigate a more complex streaming landscape. To experience the full spectrum of Doctor Who, from classic episodes to the modern series and new releases, viewers in the USA may need subscriptions to multiple streaming services including Max, BritBox, and Disney+, and potentially utilize free services like Tubi TV and Pluto TV for classic content. Until streaming rights consolidate, this fragmented approach is the reality for Doctor Who streaming in the USA.
