‘Doctor Who’ Special Breaks Records‘Doctor Who’ Special Breaks Records

BBC America’s 50^th anniversary special, “Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor,” not only broke ratings records for the network but a Guinness record as well.

More than 3.6 million viewers tuned in on Saturday for the daytime global simulcast and primetime encore and earned the American channel it’s best telecast ratings ever.  

Those numbers also earned “Doctor Who” the Guinness World Record for the largest ever simulcast of a TV drama following a massive global campaign that saw the episode air in 94 countries across six continents at the same time.

In addition to its premiere on BBC America, the channel also presented 3D simulcast screenings at theaters in 11 cities to sold out audiences, in what became NCM Fathom Event’s most successful one-night event to date.

“The fan response on-air, in social media and in theaters across the country has been nothing short of incredible,” says Perry Simon, general manager, BBC America. “The 50^th anniversary of this extraordinary program has cemented its iconic status for millions of American viewers and we can't wait for the Christmas Special.”

The fun will continue on Christmas day with Matt Smith’s final episode as the Eleventh Doctor, “Doctor Who’s Christmas Special,” in which Smith will regenerate into the next Doctor played by Peter Capaldi.

The “Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor” episode will be available as a Blu-ray combo pack or DVD on Dec. 10.