RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is to move away from the public broadcaster following the conclusion of its eighth series, as the corporation seeks to make significant financial savings.
The award-winning reality competition, which has been a staple of the network’s digital and television output since 2019, will transition to a commercial streaming platform from 2027. The move comes as part of a wider strategy to meet a £500 million savings target, with officials describing the decision to end the partnership as a “difficult choice” driven by financial pressures.
How to watch the final series
The current eighth series, which premiered on 3 September 2026, will continue to air as scheduled. This allows viewers to watch the remainder of the show’s run on the broadcaster’s platforms without an additional subscription.
New episodes currently air at 9pm on Thursdays on the network’s third television channel, with a 7pm release on the iPlayer streaming service the same evening. Existing series of the programme are expected to remain available on the iPlayer for a period following the conclusion of the current run, though a specific date for their removal has not been confirmed.
The move to WOW Presents Plus
From 2027, the franchise will move exclusively to the WOW Presents Plus streaming platform. This transition marks the first time the main UK series will require a direct paid subscription to view.
The streaming service currently costs approximately £4.99 per month in the UK. World of Wonder, the production company behind the franchise, has also confirmed that the move will include the launch of a new spin-off, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK All Stars, which is scheduled to debut in Autumn 2027.
The “All Stars” format typically features returning contestants from previous series competing for a place in the “Drag Race Hall of Fame.” While the public broadcaster has previously hosted “UK vs The World” spin-offs, the 2027 release will be the first dedicated All Stars edition for the UK market.
Production and Prize Money
Throughout its tenure on the public broadcaster, the show famously did not offer a cash prize for the winner, instead awarding a “crown and sceptre” and a trip to Hollywood to create a digital series. This was due to strict guidelines regarding commercial sponsorship and cash prizes on the licence-fee funded network.
While the prize format was slightly adjusted for Series 6, the move to a commercial streaming platform in 2027 may lead to further changes in how the competition is structured.
Since its launch, the corporation has hosted 11 series of the franchise in total, including the main competition and international crossover events. Despite the change in broadcaster, the production remains a significant part of the UK’s television landscape, having helped launch the careers of dozens of performers across the country.