Ragnor: Yeah the cast is gonna be huge for this one... bringing in every ex doctor/companion they can get a hold of it seems.

DjShadow: Latest news is the BBC want to do a World-Wide simulcast of this meaning Prime (assuming they go with this) would be screening it around 6am on the 24th if the UK are showing it at 7pm on the 23rd

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/doctor-who-50th-anniversary-special

Back in June we confirmed that Matt Smith would be leaving Doctor Who and since then there’s been intense speculation about who would be taking over the role of the Doctor. But the guesswork and conjecture end this weekend… The BBC will reveal the identity of the next Doctor during a live BBC One show that begins at 7pm on Sunday, 04 August. You can watch a trailer for the programme now!

The news about the announcement has been delivered in the following press release:

Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor

In a special one-off live television event on BBC One this Sunday 4th August at 7pm, the next Doctor will be exclusively revealed to the nation.

Widely regarded as one of the most hotly contested roles in British television, the show's host Zoe Ball will unveil the 12th Doctor in the first ever interview in front of a live studio audience set against the backdrop of a swirling vortex, amongst Daleks and the TARDIS.

The half hour show will include live special guests, Doctors old and new, as well as companions and celebrity fans.

Excitement will reach fever pitch as they speculate and recall their favourites, plus feature clips and moments from across the show's 50 year history.

Current Doctor Matt Smith and lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat will both give interviews about one of the biggest roles in TV and set out just what it takes to be the Doctor.

Steven Moffat says: “The decision is made and the time has come to reveal who’s taking over the TARDIS. For the last of the Time Lords, the clock is striking twelve.”

etc

BigHammer: Interesting choice. Get the initial impression of more of a classic Doctor than a modern Doctor. Not sure how younger viewers will feel about the choice. So far I have no problem with it, but time will tell (see what I did there?)