Despite a 'big pause' until 2027 to allow for the next run to be filmed, Doctor Who will not end with the current series, as has been rumoured
  • haverholm@kbin.earth
    3·
    1 day ago

    Oh no, what will the doomsayers on YouTube, Twitter and Reddit do, now that the show remains uncanceled? 😂 What I meant to say is, great news!

    The (admittedly tabloid) report explains one thing about the fabled Disney money that I’d wondered about:

    It is also claimed that if Disney departs, it might not have as big an impact as feared by some fans. This is because a “huge chunk” of the extra budget - up to £10 million per episode - is spent on the technical task of improving the picture quality to a level which wouldn’t be necessary if it reverted back to being a BBC standalone series.

    The BBC broadcasts its high-definition shows in 2K picture quality, but Disney needs a 4K image for its streaming service and the additional effects work costs a significant amount.

    They spent up to £80M per season to render it in 4K? I understand the desire to preserve the show in the best possible resolution, but that price tag seems excessive under the circumstances.

    Edit: I’m now pretty sure The mirror’s estimate of 4K conversion cost is much too high (maybe the mentioned sum covers a season, not an episode), and so my own calculus needs to be scaled down as well.

    • wuzzlewoggle@feddit.orgEnglish
      3·
      1 day ago

      No idea if the cost for 4K is actually that high, but you have to consider that filming in 4k instead of 2k means better cameras, better lenses, better lighting, more powerful editing suites and CGI rendering will take double the time, double the power and thus double the money.

      Again, no idea if their estimate is correct, but I can imagine that switching from 2 to 4k means a big chunk of money.

    • ohulancutash@feddit.ukEnglish
      3·
      1 day ago

      The budget is £55m per season. DW is one of the biggest earners for BBC Studios, and they’re going to want to output in 4K anyway for future exploitation.

      • haverholm@kbin.earth
        2·
        1 day ago

        I’m inclined to agree on all counts, but I also think we’re working with a less complete view of circumstances than you assert. By all accounts the BBC is not in a great financial situation, so the difference between 2K and 4K might matter.

        Edit: I’m now pretty sure The mirror’s estimate of 4K conversion cost is much too high (maybe the mentioned sum covers a season, not an episode), and so my own calculus needs to be scaled down as well.