Doctor Who 3D 50th anniversary to be simulcast in over 75 countries and cinemas

Millions of Doctor Who fans across six continents will get to enjoy The Day of the Doctor simultaneously, in a BBC Worldwide global simulcast and cinema extravaganza.

In a first for Doctor Who, fans in at least 75 countries – from Canada to Colombia, Brazil to Botswana and Myanmar to Mexico – will be able to enjoy the episode in 2D and 3D* on 23 November 2013, at the same time as the BBC One UK broadcast**.

The simulcast will also be shown on BBC America in the United States, ABC in Australia and Space in Canada, as well as in numerous countries across Europe, Latin America and Africa. More countries are expected to confirm within the next month. The Day of the Doctor stars Matt Smith, David Tennant, Jenna Coleman with Billie Piper and John Hurt.

See a full list of countries screening The Day of the Doctor simultaneously »

On top of the worldwide concurrent TV broadcast, hundreds of cinemas across the world plan to screen the special episode simultaneously in full 3D, giving fans the opportunity to make an event of the occasion and be part of a truly global celebration for the iconic British drama series. Details about tickets for the anniversary screening will be announced in due course.

Tim Davie, CEO of BBC Worldwide comments: “Few TV shows can still lay claim to being appointment viewing but Doctor Who takes this to another level. In its 50th anniversary year we wanted to create a truly international event for Doctor Who fans in as many countries as possible and the simultaneous broadcast and cinema screening of the special across so many countries will make for a fitting birthday tribute to our Time Lord.”

Steven Moffat, showrunner and executive producer of Doctor Who says: “The Doctor has always been a time traveller – now he’s travelling time zones. On the 23rd of November, it won’t be the bad guys conquering the Earth – everywhere it will be The Day of the Doctor!”

In the UK, the free-to-air 3D coverage will be available to those with access to a 3D TV set and to the BBC’s HD Red Button service. This is part of the BBC’s two-year trial experimenting with 3D production and distribution, which has also included selected coverage from Wimbledon 2012 and the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The 50th anniversary weekend for Doctor Who in November will also see over 20,000 fans gather at London’s ExCel for the official celebration event which will feature appearances from cast old and new including Matt Smith and former Doctors Sylvester McCoy, Colin Baker and Tom Baker.