Popular British sci-fi Doctor Who will no longer be aired on the ABC and instead will be available on Disney+

After nearly six decades on the ABC the popular British sci-fi series is moving to an international streaming service as the BBC sever ties with the public broadcaster.

The announcement comes just three days after the program’s first female to play Doctor Who, Jodie Whittaker, exited the show after four years leading the sci-fi.

Australian viewers of popular British sci-fi Doctor Who will no longer be able to watch new episodes of the program on the ABC.

The BBC is severing ties with the public broadcaster to air the prized-program phenomenon after nearly six decades – Aunty first began screening Doctor Who in January 1965.

Instead the BBC is joining forces with international streaming giant Disney+ who will air new episodes of the program from next year, which the BBC said in a statement will “transform Doctor Who into a global franchise for UK audiences and the rest of the world”.

It means Doctor Who fans outside of the UK and Ireland will only be able to view new episodes of Doctor Who on Disney+ and the change will begin from November 2023 when the sci-fi series celebrates its 60th anniversary.

In a statement issued by the ABC it said: “After a long friendship, spanning more than 50 years, the universe has called the Doctor in a different direction and Doctor Who will no longer appear on the ABC beyond the current season.

“ABC audiences can currently enjoy past seasons of Doctor Who, including the recent centenary special, on ABC iview.

“We are incredibly grateful to the generations of Whovians who have enjoyed Doctor Who with us on the ABC.”

Doctor Who fans outside of the UK and Ireland will only be able to view new episodes of Doctor Who on Disney+. Picture: ABC/ Supplied

Under the new partnership, a new Doctor Who logo has also been created.

The announcement comes just three days after the program’s first female to play Doctor Who, Jodie Whittaker, exited the show after four years leading the sci-fi.

In a special episode that aired on Monday night, a series of returning faces from the show’s 59-year tenure made appearances and Whittaker regenerated into the returning Time Lord David Tennant.

Tennant has returned in a three-episode special before Ncuti Gatwa takes over the role as the show’s 15th doctor.

After he recently finished shooting the new series of Doctor Who, Neil Patrick Harris said that Gatwa will bring a new edge to the show.

“He’ll be the first gay Doctor, which is going to be super cool, a sexier Doctor,” he said.

BBC’s chief content officer Charlotte Moore said the new deal with Disney+ was an “exciting global partnership”.

“Russell T Davies’ vision for Doctor Who has always been out of this world and we are committed to ensuring that audiences across the globe get the opportunity to enjoy the Doctor’s epic adventures with the scale and ambition that they deserve,” she said.

“Joining forces with Disney will elevate the show to even greater heights and reach new audiences so it’s an extremely exciting time for fans in the UK and across the world.”