"RuPaul's Drag Race UK" is departing the BBC for World of Wonder's streaming platform WOW Presents Plus, following a report from The Sun that the show was being cut from the broadcaster's lineup.
Variety confirmed that the franchise will relaunch in Fall 2027 with the first-ever "RuPaul's Drag Race UK: All Stars," a spinoff honoring past competitors from the U.K. edition. The new season will stream globally on WOW Presents Plus, marking the first time the platform will be available to U.K. viewers.
Once the move takes effect, subscribers will be able to stream all eight existing seasons of "RuPaul's Drag Race UK" as well as all three seasons of "RuPaul's Drag Race UK Vs The World" on WOW Presents Plus.
The transition comes on the heels of a strong run for the U.K. series. Season 8, which just debuted on BBC 3, delivered the franchise's second-highest-rated premiere ever, trailing only Season 6's 9.0 mark. The new season opened with an 8.8 IMDB rating, and viewership on WOW Presents Plus climbed 20%.
The broader "RuPaul's Drag Race" franchise has also been riding a wave of momentum. The flagship U.S. series just wrapped its 18th season as the most-watched in the show's history. Contestant Myki Meeks endured a shaky start, landing at the bottom during the "Rate-A-Queen" twist after being ranked poorly by fellow competitors, but rebounded to ultimately win the season. Season 18 and its companion series, "RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked," together earned 11 Emmy nominations.
International spinoffs have also seen growth, with "Canada's Drag Race," "Drag Race Down Under," "Drag Race Mexico" and "Drag Race France" all posting double-digit viewership increases in their latest seasons.
World of Wonder co-founders and "Drag Race" producers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato addressed the moment in a statement: "Historically, during times of anxiety and regression, the queer, trans and drag communities are often targeted. Today is no exception. We at World of Wonder are so grateful to our members for their support, and we remain steadfast in the values 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, and WOW Presents Plus is incredibly proud to keep providing that platform."
Photo: World of Wonder Productions, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
