Dr Who smashes BBC America record

BBC America reported its highest ever viewing figures during the 50th anniversary episode of BBC sci-fi drama Doctor Who.

Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor drew 3.6 million viewers to BBC America, with the show billed as the world’s largest ever TV simulcast.

It was broadcast on Saturday across six continents and into 94 countries, ranging from Brazil to Botswana and Russia, while viewers also watched in cinemas in 11 US cities.

The show, which drew 10.2 million viewers in its native UK on BBC1, is now set for a Christmas special in December when the current Doctor, Matt Smith, will sign off to be replaced by the previously announced Peter Capaldi (The Thick of It, In The Loop).