Doctor Who special breaks Guinness World Record for biggest TV simulcast

Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary episode is now a record-breaker for being the world’s largest ever simulcast of a TV drama.

17:18 25 November 2013

Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary episode has received a Guinness World Record for being the world’s largest ever simulcast of a TV drama. It was broadcasted in 94 countries across six continents after it was promoted globally.

The episode was also screened in more than 1,500 cinemas worldwide, which include picture houses in America, Britain, Latin America, Germany, Russia, and Scandinavia. Fans were also able to watch the record-breaking episode in spectacular 3D.

Head writer Steven Moffat said: "For years the Doctor has been stopping everyone else from conquering the world. Now, just to show off, he's gone and done it himself!"

Tim Davie, from BBC Worldwide, said: "We knew we were attempting something unprecedented in broadcast history, not only because Doctor Who is a drama, unlike a live feed event such as a World Cup football match or a royal wedding, but because we had to deliver the episode in advance to the four corners of the world so that it could be dubbed and subtitled into 15 different languages.

"If there was any doubt that Doctor Who is one of the world's biggest TV shows, this award should put that argument to rest - and how fitting for it to receive such an accolade in its 50th year."