SINGAPORE – Oh, what a year it has been for Doctor Who.

The British television show is not only the world’s longest running sci-fi series – its special 50th anniversary episode has also received the Guinness World Record for the largest ever simulcast of a TV drama.

The episode, which aired in Asia on BBC Entertainment on Sunday, Nov 24 at 3.50am (SIN/HK), was broadcast in 94 countries across six continents. It was also screened in over 1,500 cinemas worldwide, including those in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Latin America, Germany, Russia and Scandinavia. More than half a million tickets were sold for the theatrical screenings, where fans watched the episode in 3D.

“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!” quipped the show’s Executive Producer and Head Writer Steven Moffat, who received the award at the Doctor Who Celebration, a three-day event spanning the anniversary weekend in London.

Tim Davie, chief executive officer of BBC Worldwide added: “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.”