BBC axes iconic soap after 23 years and announces final episode date

ok.co.uk:

The BBC has confirmed that Doctors has been axed and will be permanently taken off air in 2024. The decision has been made to take the soap off air due to a sharp decline in ratings and rising costs.

Filming will continue until March with the final episodes then airing in December. A statement made by the BBC said: “We have taken the very difficult decision to bring daytime drama Doctors to an end after 23 years. “With super inflation in drama production, the cost of the programme has increased significantly, and further investment is also now required to refurbish the site where the show is made, or to relocate it to another home." The statement continued: “With a flat licence-fee, the BBC’s funding challenges mean we have to make tough choices in order to deliver greater value to audiences.

We remain fully committed to the West Midlands and all of the funding for Doctors will be reinvested into new programming in the region. “We would like to thank all the Doctors cast and crew who have been involved in the show since 2000.

We know the crucial role Doctors has played in nurturing talent, and we will work to develop new opportunities to support skills in scripted programming. “The final episode will screen in December 2024 and we are working closely with BBC Studios to give it the finale it deserves.” Doctors traditionally aired in BBC One's lunchtime slot since it began in 2000, but in February 2022 the soap was promoted to the 7pm slot on BBC Two after Holby City was axed.