ITV to premier new US series on iTunes

ITV is set to broadcast its new US vampire show on Apple’s iTunes before it airs on ITV2.

ITV will make The Vampire Diaries, which it acquired from Warner Bros, available on the music store for users to buy and watch on a pay-per-episode basis.

The popular series will broadcast in the UK in February but episodes will run on iTunes from now on while it is still been shown in the US in a bid to counter online piracy.

Josh Berger, president and managing director of Warner Bros. Entertainment UK, said: “We’re committed to providing our shows with the best possible launch platform. This highly innovative approach to releasing The Vampire Diaries gives us and ITV2 the chance to maximise excitement ahead of its UK premiere in February, and provides consumers with a high-quality legal alternative to pirated versions.”

The first episodes of the show, which is half way through its 22-episode run in the US, will be available for the standard price of £1.89 and £2.49 for the high definition version.

ITV has made a number of other US dramas available on iTunes as well, including Gossip Girls and Entourage.

Zai Bennett, director of digital channels and acquisitions, ITV, said: “Recent hits such as Gossip Girl have demonstrated how new entertainment brands can be fuelled by the passion of early adopters.  By making The Vampire Diaries available in the ITV2 area on iTunes we’re feeding the appetite for brand new US content and helping to spread the word about a show we’re incredibly excited about.”