Guinness World Records can today confirm that the special 50 th Anniversary episode of Doctor Who which was broadcast globally on Saturday has set a new world for the largest ever simulcast of a TV drama after the episode was shown in 94 countries across six continents.

In addition to the TV broadcast, the episode was screened in over 1500 cinemas worldwide, including the UK, US, Canada, Latin America, Germany, Russia and Scandinavia.

An official certificate presentation was made by Craig Glenday, Editor-in Chief of Guinness World Records to the show’s Executive Producer and Head Writer Steven Moffat at the Doctor Who Celebration, a special three-day event spanning the anniversary weekend at London’s ExCel. Cast members Matt Smith and Jenna Coleman were also in attendance along with thousands of fans from across the world.

Upon receipt of the award, Steven Moffat comments: 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, CEO BBC Worldwide says: “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 50 th year.”

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Craig Glenday from Guinness World Records added: Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief, Craig Glenday, said: "Who else but the time-twisting Doctor could appear in 94 countries at once?! This outstanding achievement is testament to the fact that the longest running sci-fi TV show in history is not just a well-loved UK institution but a truly global success adored by millions of people.”

In Sweden and Norway where the programme has no client broadcaster, fans successfully petitioned to get their local cinemas to screen the special, while sci-fi enthusiasts in Argentina pushed a major cinema chain into showing the episode simultaneously where previously there had been no plans to do so.

The world record adds to the numerous titles held by Doctor Who, which include the most successful sci-fi TV show of all time. To find out more about the show’s incredible record breaking legacy click here.

The 50 th Anniversary special of Doctor Who was simultaneously broadcast in the following countries:

Europe

France (France 4) Finland (YLE), Poland (BBC Entertainment), Russia (Karousel and NKS), Turkey (NTV), Israel (YES), Via NKS - Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia,

North America

USA (BBC America), Canada (Space)

Latin America (on BBC Entertainment and BBC HD)

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela

Africa (on BBC Entertainment)

Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, , Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania & Zanzibar, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Australia

(ABC)

Asia (on BBC Entertainment)

Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand

Related links:

Doctor Who 50th anniversary: The Time Lord’s world records

Meet The Record Breakers: Rob Hull - owner of the largest collection of Daleks