The Doctor Who sci-fi series marks its 60th anniversary with the release of 3 exciting specials and an additional Christmas treat. UK Whovians can watch these episodes for free on BBC iPlayer, while those in the US and other locations worldwide can enjoy the latest escapades in the Whoniverse on Disney Plus (which unfortunately, isn’t free).
While you could technically use a VPN to watch the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials on BBC iPlayer for free from outside the UK, this will almost definitely break the streaming platform’s T&Cs and could even be seen as copyright infringement.
If you just want to stay secure while watching Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials online, my top recommendation is ExpressVPN. It delivers top-tier encryption, impressive speeds, and helps avoid ISP throttling. Better yet, you can test ExpressVPN without risk as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Watch Doctor Who Specials in HD >>
Quick Guide: How to Watch Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps
- Download a VPN. ExpressVPN is my top choice because it has military-grade encryption and excellent speeds for streaming. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Connect to a local server. Closeby servers let you stream Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials in the best quality.
- Start watching. If you’re in the UK, log in to BBC iPlayer — if you’re elsewhere, log in to Disney+. From there, enjoy safely watching the 60th anniversary specials.
Best VPNs to Securely Watch Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials Online in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — Impressive Speeds to Stream Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials Without Buffering
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| Best Feature | Proprietary Lightway protocol for smooth HD streaming |
| Speed | 108 Mbps (9% slower than my baseline connection) |
| Server Network | 3,000 servers in 105 countries |
| Works with | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Fire Stick/Fire TV, Apple TV, Kodi, Chrome, Firefox, routers, and more |
ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN I tested for uninterrupted streaming. This is largely due to its in-house Lightway protocol that’s designed for speed and efficiency, making it ideal for streaming the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials in the highest quality. While in the UK, I connected to a London server and watched BBC iPlayer in HD buffer-free — my average download speed was 108Mbps, a mere 9% drop from my usual connection. All VPNs slow you down due to the encryption, but ExpressVPN keeps that speed drop to a minimum.
ExpressVPN let me securely watch BBC iPlayer in the UK
ExpressVPN also works flawlessly with BBC iPlayer and Disney+, both of which are showing the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials. Its extensive server network reduces the likelihood of encountering overcrowded servers too, leading to more stable and dependable live-streaming sessions.
Its apps are user-friendly, offering easy setup across various streaming devices. Whether you’re using a laptop, Smart TV, game console, or media streaming gadgets like the Fire Stick, setting ExpressVPN up is a breeze. You and your family can also securely watch Doctor Who anniversary specials and other content across many of your streaming devices at once, as the VPN supports up to 8 simultaneous connections.
One downside is that the plans are quite pricey. Luckily, ExpressVPN frequently offers generous discounts. When I subscribed to a 12-month plan, I got 49% off and 3 extra months for free, for a final price of $6.67/month. ExpressVPN also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it without risk. If you aren’t satisfied, simply contact customer support via the 24/7 live chat and request a refund.
Useful Features
- Bypass ISP throttling. ISPs often reduce the internet speed of users who stream content to conserve bandwidth. ExpressVPN, however, employs advanced encryption to conceal your online activities, making it impossible for your ISP to detect your streaming activity. This prevents bandwidth throttling, allowing uninterrupted viewing of shows like Doctor Who.
- Robust privacy protection. ExpressVPN adheres to a strict no-logs policy, with your data being automatically and regularly wiped from its servers thanks to its TrustedServer technology. It also comes with a handy kill switch that cuts off your internet if the VPN connection suddenly drops, ensuring your privacy is always maintained.
- Unlimited bandwidth. If you live in a country that broadcasts the Doctor Who specials, you can binge-watch the series in HD without worrying about exceeding any data caps.
- Ad blocker. ExpressVPN comes with an advanced ad blocker, keeping your Doctor Who streaming experience clean of interruptions. It also offers a Threat Manager feature that prevents your streaming activity from being tracked by marketing companies and other snoopers.
2. CyberGhost — Dedicated Streaming Servers to Reliably Watch Doctor Who Without Interruptions
| Best Feature | Streaming-optimized servers for platforms that show Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials |
| Speed | 100Mbps (15% slower than my baseline connection) |
| Server Network | 10,649 servers in 100 countries |
| Works on | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Fire Stick/Fire TV, Apple TV, Kodi, Chrome, Firefox, routers, and more |
CyberGhost stands out with its optimized streaming servers, specifically designed for platforms like Disney+ and BBC iPlayer. These dedicated servers provide stable and fast connections for streaming Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials from a supported location without interruptions. While in London, I used CyberGhost’s BBC iPlayer server to watch my favorite shows privately and didn’t experience any interruptions.
If you’re in the US, you can connect to a server optimized for Disney+ US
While it didn’t match ExpressVPN speeds, my CyberGhost connections clocked 100Mbps — a 15% drop from my baseline speeds. So, you can easily watch Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials in HD without buffering.
That being said, CyberGhost’s monthly subscriptions are expensive, plus they have a shorter money-back guarantee (only 14 days). However, the extended plans are more affordable, starting at just $2.03/month, and also come with a generous 45-day refund period. This means you get plenty of time to test CyberGhost for free, making it easier for you to see if it’s the right fit for your needs.
Useful Features
- Dedicated IP. You can get a unique IP address that isn’t shared with other users (most regular VPN IPs are) to enhance the reliability of your connections when streaming the Doctor Who specials.
- Automatic WiFi protection. CyberGhost instantly connects to a server when you’re connected to unsecured public WiFi networks, protecting you from hackers and snoopers.
- Multiple connections. You can connect up to 7 devices at the same time and safely watch the Doctor Who specials across your family’s laptops, tablets, smartphones, and more.
3. Private Internet Access — Unlimited Simultaneous Connections to Securely Watch Doctor Who
| Best Feature | Unmetered connections to protect multiple devices at the same time |
| Speed | 94Mbps (20% slower than my baseline connection) |
| Server Network | 29,650 servers in 91 countries |
| Works on | Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, Fire Stick/Fire TV, Kodi, Chrome, Firefox, routers, and more |
PIA allows you to secure all your devices with a single subscription. Its ability to work with various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and Smart TVs, adds to the convenience, allowing you and your family members to be able to privately watch the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials on your favorite devices.
It takes just a few minutes to install PIA and start a secure streaming session
Its vast server network greatly reduces congestion and the likelihood of buffering while watching Doctor Who online. PIA boasts 29,650 total servers, which includes 53 US locations. My colleague from the US tested the American servers and confirmed he could steam Disney+ US in HD without buffering.
PIA also offers many customization options to boost speed or security. You can adjust the encryption level or security protocol, for example. However, the extensive customization features might seem daunting to those new to VPNs. That said, PIA is preconfigured to offer secure and fast connections for streaming, so there’s no need to touch anything if you don’t want to.
Useful Features
- Affordable prices. If you opt for a long-term plan, you can try PIA for as low as $2.03/month. Additionally, it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, letting you try it risk-free.
- Browser extensions. PIA offers extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, allowing you quick and safe access to online services without needing to install the full VPN software.
Where Can I Watch the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Online?
Due to broadcasting rights, the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials are only available via specific platforms, which themselves are only available in certain regions. If you try to access the specials from outside a supported country, you’ll be blocked.
Similar errors appear if you try to access Disney+ outside its supported areas
Thankfully, you should be able to catch the specials from most countries. See below to learn how you can watch the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials online:
In the UK
UK fans can watch the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials on BBC iPlayer. As the show’s original broadcaster, it’s the most direct and accessible option for those in the UK. Keep in mind that you’ll need to register an account with BBC iPlayer in order to stream — you’ll need to provide an email address and your UK postcode to sign up. You must also have a valid TV license.
It’s worth noting though that BBC iPlayer contains almost the entire catalog of Doctor Who episodes and spin offs, dating back decades. That’s over 800 hours of Doctor Who content for you to sink your teeth into, which is more than any other streaming platform can offer.
In the US, Canada, and Australia
Disney+ has also acquired the rights to air the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials. This means it will currently be the exclusive home for the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials outside of the UK and Ireland. Remember that, unlike BBC iPlayer, this service isn’t free — though you can take advantage of a 7-day free trial if you’d just like to catch the specials.
Other locations
If BBC iPlayer and Disney+ aren’t available in your region, you can explore other options to watch Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials. Check if the special episodes are available for purchase via Google Play, iTunes, or Amazon. They may be added to these services as time progresses.
FAQs on Watching Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials With a VPN
Who are the Doctor Who 60th anniversary casts?
The Doctor Who 60th anniversary special cast has some familiar faces. David Tennant is back in the TARDIS as the Fourteenth Doctor, and Catherine Tate reprises her role as Donna Noble. There’s also a cameo of Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor in the Christmas special The Church on Ruby Road. You can securely watch the specials in HD via BBC iPlayer or Disney+.
Other new and returning cast members include:
- Jacqueline King as Sylvia Noble
- Yasmin Finney as Rose Noble
- Karl Collins as Shaun Temple
- Miriam Margolyes as the voice of the Meep
- Ruth Madeley as Shirley Anne-Bingham
- Jemma Redgrave as Kate Stewart
- Neil Patrick Harris as the Toymaker
- Bernard Cribbens as Wilfred Mott
- Charlie De Melo as Charles Banerjee
- Dara Lall as Fudge
- John MacKay as John Logie Baird
- Alexander Devrient as Colonel Ibrahim
What is the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials release date?
The first special, The Star Beast, will premiere November 25 at 6:30pm GMT, followed by Wild Blue Yonder on December 2 and The Giggle on December 9. There’s also a Christmas treat, The Church on Ruby Road, that will air on December 25. Due to differences in time zones, Australians can expect to see these specials air a day later than outlined above. The premieres will be available worldwide on Disney+, with the exception of the UK and Ireland, where they will be broadcast on the BBC.
Is there a Doctor Who 60th Anniversary trailer?
A trailer for the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials is available online on Doctor Who’s social media pages, the BBC website, and YouTube, and it features Neil Patrick Harris as the Celestial Toymaker. Use a trustworthy VPN to enhance your privacy when visiting these sites, as they’re known for tracking your online activities.
Can I watch Doctor Who for free?
Yes, BBC iPlayer holds 800+ episodes of Doctor Who (including the 60th anniversary specials), all available for free in the UK. For viewers outside the UK, you can watch Doctor Who for free for a limited time with the Disney+ free trial.
Can I use a free VPN to watch Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials?
Free VPNs aren’t recommended for watching Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials because they restrict speeds and offer unreliable servers, which can make streaming impossible. It’s a far better idea to try a premium VPN with a trustworthy money-back guarantee to watch Doctor Who.
Besides, many free VPNs are insecure or even outright malicious, putting your sensitive information at risk. It’s not uncommon for free VPNs to collect and sell your data to third parties or to install malware on your device, for example.
Securely Watch Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials in Minutes
A top-notch VPN enables you to enjoy Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials in privacy and without any disruptions. All VPNs I recommend have dependable servers and high-speed connections, ensuring a smooth, buffer-free streaming experience.
My top recommendation is ExpressVPN. It offers robust security features and impressive speeds to stream the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials without interruptions. You can also test ExpressVPN risk-free since it’s supported by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
