The “RuPaul’s Drag Race” franchise remains one of the most popular in reality television, with several spin-offs worldwide. However, the BBC, which airs “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK,” has opted to drop the series, which is hosted by RuPaul himself, after eight seasons. It will now air on a different platform. This comes as the first “All-Stars” season for the popular spin-off has just been announced.
The BBC’s decision to drop “Drag Race: UK” comes on the heels of its 8th season premiere on September 3. The popular reality competition series is now the latest casualty of the network’s massive budget cuts.
The BBC Dropping ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK’ Comes Amid ‘Difficult Choices’
GettyThe BBC announced on September 9 that it would be dropping “RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK” after eight seasons. The popular spin-off premiered in 2019 and aired on the BBC and iPlayer. A spokesperson issued a statement on the change, saying the decision came after “significant financial pressures.”
It read, “As the BBC continues to navigate significant financial pressures and deliver the savings required of us, we have had to make some very difficult choices, none of which have been taken lightly.”
Now, following the change, future seasons of the show will air on Wow Presents Plus, which is the production company’s platform. Notably, viewers outside the UK, including in the U.S., already relied on Wow Presents Plus for the spin-off.
The BBC spokesperson also said the network was “proud […] of this groundbreaking show.” They also thanked “RuPaul, World of Wonder and everyone involved, both on and off screen.”
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK: All-Stars’ Will Premiere Soon
Wow Presents Plus announced on the same day as the BBC scheduling change news that it would be premiering the show’s first “All-Stars” season. The production company’s announcement said the series would air “exclusively” on its streaming platform, without mentioning the BBC specifically.
It began, “Start your engines, All Stars!️ #DragRaceUK All Stars series premiere coming in Autumn 2027 EXCLUSIVELY on WOW Presents Plus!”
The statement continued, “Hot off the heels of the iconic Season 8 premiere, a new era of Drag Race UK is on the way! Starting next Fall, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is heading to its new home on WOW Presents Plus with the series premiere of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK All Stars!
This herstoric season will be available virtually globally on WOW Presents Plus and, for the first time, in the UK where members will also be able to stream all 8 past seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK plus all 3 seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World!”
The BBC Has Canceled Several Shows in 2026
GettyThe BBC, like many networks worldwide, is under financial pressure. As a result, the company has a cost-saving plan to trim £100M from its content division, per Deadline. This includes not only reducing the workforce, but also canceling shows.
In July 2026, the network announced it would cancel three long-running shows. This includes fan favorites such as “Blankety Blank,” “Celebrity Mastermind,” and “Live At The Apollo.” Before this, “The World Tonight” and “BBC Breakfast’s Sunday Edition” were canceled.
In 2026, the network also said goodbye to “I Kissed a Boy” and “I Kissed a Girl.” Both cancellations came in March, and the network cited funding challenges.
