[singlepic id=651 w=320 h=255 float=right]Last night’s simultaneous broadcast of The Day of the Doctor to 94 countries has been officially named the world’s largest ever simulcast of a TV drama by the Guinness Book of Records.
Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of the Guiness World Records, presented a certificate to showrunner Steven Moffat today at the ExCel Centre in London, saying:
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.
Accepting the award, 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, BBC Worldwide’s chief executive officer, 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.
In celebration of 50 years of Doctor Who Guinness Word Records has also compiled a list of the programme’s other achievements.
Thanks to the Doctor Who News Page