Fans on six continents will be able to enjoy the episode, The Day of the Doctor, in 2D and 3D at the same time as the UK broadcast on November 23rd – the date of the show’s first ever episode.
Confirmed nations include US, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Brazil, Botswana, Myanmar and Mexico, BBC Worldwide says it expects to name more in the coming weeks.
The 75 minute adventure teams current Doctor Matt Smith with predecessor David Tennant and John Hurt as a mysterious past incarnation of the Time Lord.
It also sees the return of Bille Piper who joins current companion Jenna-Louise Coleman, plus shape-shifting monsters the Zygons and the Doctor’s most infamous foes, the Daleks.
In addition to the worldwide TV broadcast, hundreds of cinemas in the UK and across the world will simultaneously screen the eagerly awaited episode in full 3D. Ticket details will be announced in due course.
The 3D episode will also be available free in the UK via the BBC’s HD Red Button service.
Announcing the screenings, BBC Worldwide CEO Tim Davie, said: “Few TV shows can still lay claim to being appointment viewing but Doctor Who takes this to another level.
“In its 50th Anniversary year we wanted to create a truly international event for Doctor Who fans in as many countries as possible and the simultaneous broadcast and cinema screening of the special across so many countries will make for a fitting birthday tribute to our Time Lord.”
Series showrunner Steven Moffat added: “The Doctor has always been a time traveller – now he’s travelling time zones. On the 23rd of November, it won’t be the bad guys conquering the Earth – everywhere it will be The Day of the Doctor!”