The excitement builds… (as well it should!). From the press release:

ABC TV TO TAKE PART IN DOCTOR WHO 50th ANNIVERSARY GLOBAL BROADCAST

ABC1 is set to join more than 75 countries around the globe to simultaneously broadcast the highly anticipated Doctor Who 50th Anniversary special on Sunday November 24 AEDT (exact time TBC) and repeated at 7.30pm AEDT.

In a first for the world’s longest running and most successful sci-fi series, the feature-length special titled The Day of the Doctor, will be broadcast simultaneously to millions of viewers worldwide in a global television event.

From Cairns to Costa Rica, Perth to Poland, and Adelaide to Angola, Australian viewers will join over 75 countries across six continents as they enjoy the anniversary special at the same time as the UK broadcast.

Brendan Dahill, Controller ABC1 says: “ABC1 is thrilled to be part of this momentous global television event, celebrating 50 years of everyone’s favourite Time Lord.”

Steven Moffat, Showrunner for Doctor Who and Executive Producer of the 50th Anniversary episode said: “The Doctor has always been a time traveller – now he’s travelling time zones. On the 50th anniversary, it won’t be the bad guys conquering the Earth – everywhere it will be The Day of the Doctor!”

In addition to Matt Smith and Jenna Coleman, the one-off special stars former Time Lord David Tennant as well as Billie Piper, and John Hurt.

IVIEW GOES BACK TO THE BEGINNING

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, ABC iview will show a series of hand-picked Doctor Who classic serials from the archives – 47 episodes in total. The collection will feature every Doctor, from the first to the eighth, as well as the scariest monsters and the most beloved companions.

The season kicks off on Saturday 28 September with the original Doctor, William Hartnell, in An Unearthly Child (1963), then introduces one of the most fearsome villains of all, The Daleks (1964). The second Doctor, Patrick Troughton takes over on Saturday 5 October in an early encounter with a dreaded enemy in The Tomb of the Cybermen (1967).

On Saturday 12 October and appearing in colour for the first time the third Doctor Jon Pertwee, with companions Liz and the Brigadier, take on the Autons in Spearhead from Space (1970) before meeting the Master in The Sea Devils (1972)

Then tie on your long scarf and break out the jelly babies because on Saturday 19 October the legendary Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, stars in two classic stories; The Sontaran Experiment (1975) with beloved companion Sarah-Jane and then City of Death (1979), in which the Doctor and Romana take a very 1970’s trip to Paris.

The Cybermen return on Saturday 26 October as Fifth Doctor Peter Davison saves the Earth but loses a companion in Earthshock (1982). Saturday 2 November features The Two Doctors (1985) as Sixth Doctor, Colin Baker, and Peri bump into Second Doctor and Jamie.

Seventh Doctor Sylvester McCoy investigates an Arthurian mystery with Ace and The Brigadier in Battlefield (1989) on Saturday 9 November, and again on Saturday 16 November with Eighth Doctor Paul McGann in the feature length Doctor Who: The Movie (1996).

VIEWERS CHOICE

The finale episode of the season will be selected by the fans. Visit the iview facebook page – facebook.com/ABCiview – to choose from seven stories. The most popular will be published on iview on Saturday 23rd November. Voting is open from 1st to 15th October.

Catch the series at abc.net.au/iview

THE ABC2 OF DOCTOR WHO

ABC2 will screen a number of Doctor Who specials to tie in with the 50th Anniversary celebrations on Sundays at 7.30pm.

Doctor Who Explained (1 x 45’) – Sunday October 20 at 7.30pm, ABC2
Everything you really need to know about the Doctor – current, future or past. This program provides insights from key cast and crew and will help fans navigate the rich tapestry that is Doctor Who.

The Best of Doctor Who – Series 2 (4 x 45’)

The Science of Doctor Who – Sunday October 27 at 7.30pm, ABC2
Like all great science fiction shows, there are kernels of truth and nuggets of science fact scattered throughout the incredible Doctor Who universe. This special explores the dynamic Doctor Who moments where science fiction and science fact converge and mingle.

The Timey-Wimey of Doctor Who – Sunday November 3 at 7.30pm, ABC2
When the Doctor’s around, tomorrow is yesterday, yesterday is tomorrow and 18th century France is in your fireplace. Confused yet? Watch the Timey-Wimey of Doctor Who. You’ve already seen it in the future.

The Women of Doctor Who – Sunday November 10 at 7.30pm, ABC2
Behind every great time lord there’s a great woman. Whether they’re busting Daleks or the Doctor’s ego, the women of Doctor Who prove that you don’t need testosterone to save the universe.

The Destinations of Doctor Who – Sunday November 17 at 7.30pm, ABC2
Leave the beach towel at home and take a trip to the end of the earth – literally. From the Starship UK to one very haunted hotel, you won’t find the destinations of Doctor Who in any guidebook.

Sunday 24 November at 8.30pm – TBC

The Day of the Doctor (repeat) – Monday November 25 at 7.30pm, ABC2

ABC2 is currently screening all episodes of Doctor Who from series 1-7, weeknights at 7.30pm, finishing on Friday November 22.