[JMT1985]

The difference is that everything production wise takes a lot longer than it did 20 years ago, VFX particularly. Yes, the 8 episode count is lower than we've been used to but I don't think it's going to change anytime soon, not when it's taken 18 months to turnaround an 8-ep series and a Xmas special from filming to TX - and that's with two Doctor-lite episodes. Going back to the 12/13 episode series of old, at the same quality of what's airing now, would be unworkable.

Going from ~45 minute episodes up to an hour for season 2/series 15 however would be a good move IMO given quite a few episodes this series have felt rushed and it'd allow the stories time to breath.

Well American shows can produce more episodes with good quality, why can't Doctor Who? 18 to 20 episodes are the norm for prime time American dramas, and as I said with the extra money from the Disney deal, increasing it from 8 to say 12 episodes per season shouldn't really be an issue, money wise.

Also RTD seems to have chosen to start production very early, this must be the longest gap between when a series of Doctor Who has been filmed, and when it airs. If you have the right enough budget, post production and filming will be done easily I assume.

I know I will hear people say the BBC is short of cash, but RTD did say this Disney deal for the international streaming rights, was one way to ensure big budget shows like Doctor Who can still be made.