BBC plans biggest ever global drama ‘simulcast’ for Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary
BBC bosses are gearing up for the 50th anniversary of long-running sci-fi series Doctor Who by mounting a simultaneous screening of the birthday edition to an estimated 100m worldwide.
The ‘simulcast’ will see the famous Doctor bend time for real by choreographing a simultaneous broadcast on TV stations around the world when it goes on air at 8pm on 23 November.
This means Who fans in LA will see the same 3D antics at 12 noon whilst their fellow fans on the other side of the planet have to get up at the crack of dawn to catch the action at 6am.
A total of 200 countries have signed up to the plan in all, which is being driven by the desire to avoid any spoilers leaking from viewers blabbering on the internet.
The television set piece will also premiere in cinemas throughout the UK for fans without access to a 3D television and will be the penultimate outing for Matt Smith, the present incarnation of the Time Lord.
Other cast members include former Doctor David Tennant, companion Billie Piper and the actor John Hurt.