The BBC is letting “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” go, and the franchise is shifting to World of Wonder’s streaming platform, WOW Presents Plus.
Variety can confirm that after reports from The Sun suggested the show was being cut from the BBC, the franchise is returning in Fall 2027. The comeback comes with the first ever “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK: All Stars,” a season centered on the Queens who have worked the U.K. runway.
The move brings the entire U.K. franchise under one streaming roof.
Season 8’s Premiere Numbers
The show’s eighth season just launched on BBC 3. It scored the franchise’s second-highest-rated premiere, trailing only Season 6.
The ratings tell the story:
- Season 6 premiere: 9.0 IMDB rating
- Season 8 premiere: 8.8 IMDB rating
Season 8 also saw viewership up 20% on WOW Presents Plus.
All Stars Goes Global
The upcoming “All Stars” season will be available globally on WOW Presents Plus. That includes the U.K. for the first time.
The subscription service will include streaming access to every season of both “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Vs The World.”, which amounts to eight seasons of the first show and three seasons of the second.
The move puts the U.K. franchise’s streaming library under the roof of WOW Presents Plus.
A Record-Breaking Year
After a period of strong growth for the franchise as a whole, the Season 8 launch arrives. The flagship program, “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” has just wrapped up its 18th season. That season drew more viewers than any other in the franchise’s history.
The season concluded with a tense finale. Myki Meeks began slowly. Once her fellow contestants put her at the bottom of the “Rate-A-Queen” twist, she turned the tables on them.
The champion title went to Meeks, who made her way to the top with a confident walk. She was named the winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 18.
The season earned a total of 11 Emmy nominations across two programs: the main show itself and its accompanying aftershow, “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked.”.
The Expanding Empire
The international “Drag Race” brand keeps expanding, with fresh seasons and formats launching in multiple regions.
- “Canada’s Drag Race”
- “Drag Race Down Under”
- “Drag Race Mexico”
- “Drag Race France”
All of these premiered with significant double digit growth.
Why the Move Matters
A move from the BBC to WOW Presents Plus marks a substantial alteration for audiences in the United Kingdom. The programme previously appeared on the BBC, and its transfer to a streaming service represents a notable choice.
The franchise is reaching these milestones amid a difficult political climate. It is achieving them during an uncertain time. World of Wonder co-founders and “Drag Race” producers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato spoke directly to that situation in a statement.
The queer, trans and drag communities have historically faced targeting during periods of anxiety and regression. That pattern holds true today. World of Wonder thanks its members for their backing, and remains committed to the principles that make ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ more than just a fiercely entertaining show. For millions, it’s a lifeline, a safe space and a celebration. WOW Presents Plus says it is proud to keep offering that platform.
Rather than simply treating it as a business choice, the statement presents WOW Presents Plus as a secure home for the audience the show caters to.
Fall 2027 and the All Stars Return
The first “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK: All Stars” is set for Fall 2027.
This season is dedicated to honouring the creative work of the Queens who have graced the U.K. runway.
The case for subscription is simple: one platform now brings together the whole of the U.K. story, running from Season 1 through the Vs The World spin-offs, with the All Stars edition still to come.
World of Wonder’s move shows where it sees the future, with the streaming platform growing into a central part of the “Drag Race” universe.
The Bottom Line
WOW Presents Plus is set to gain a new recruit from the BBC, with “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” departing to join the platform.
Fall 2027 brings the premiere of the first “All Stars” season. This marks the first time the All Stars season is being made available on WOW Presents Plus in the U.K. Subscribers there can also watch all eight seasons of the main U.K. show alongside all three seasons of the Vs The World spin-off.
The main show has wrapped up its most watched season ever, and it brought in 11 Emmy nominations to go with it. Season 8, meanwhile, has turned in strong ratings and a 20% viewership increase on streaming.
Across Canada, Down Under, Mexico and France, the franchise is expanding its reach. Every one of those shows launched with audiences that grew by more than ten percent.
The producers have made their intentions plain through this move, and they describe the platform as a lifeline during a period of political uncertainty.
The shift puts everything under one roof for those who follow it closely, with “Drag Race UK” now gathered together instead of scattered across separate locations.
Source: variety.com
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