2. It's Becoming Too Mainstream
Once upon a time, Doctor Who fans outside the UK could only watch their favorite show whenever it came on their local public broadcasting station. We are now light-years beyond that. Thanks to BBC America, SPACE in Canada, BBC iPlayer, iTunes, Amazon video, Netflix and numerous other platforms, theres an endless supply of Doctor Who for anyone who wants it. The show is finally starting to leave its mark on American pop culture as well. Earlier this year, it became the first British TV series to be featured on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. All this attention has left some fans wondering what will happen to their beloved program as it transitions from cult favorite to mainstream success. Ive heard stories of fans that are surprised to see Doctor Who has its own little section in Barnes & Noble or do a double take when they see someone wearing a Weeping Angels t-shirt on a train. They simply arent used to this level of interest in the show from the general public. While Doctor Who merchandising is nothing new, its current omnipresence leaves some longtime fans wishing they could go back to a time when the show wasnt being shoved in their face. I can sympathize with them to some degree but the fact is no one in their right mind has ever said, I wish I had a smaller audience. We all know what temporarily killed off Doctor Who in the late 80s: falling viewing figures. The BBCs merchandising and PR machines may seem excessive at times but ultimately they help to keep the show alive amidst competition from other channels. One consequence of the franchises continued success is that it can attract big name talent both in front of and behind the camera (see Gaiman, Neil and Gambon, Michael for examples). Who would want to give that up in favor of a return to the wilderness years of the 90s and early 2000s?