BBC Shows Now On iTunes

BBC Worldwide has signed a deal to offer paid downloads of shows such as Life on Mars and Torchwood on iTunes.

Around 10 series will be made available on the UK iTunes store at about £1.89 per episode. Viewers can then watch the shows on a Mac or PC, iPod with video, iPhone or Apple TV.

“We want to give audiences a wide variety of options on how and where to view their favourite BBC shows,” said Simon Danker, director of digital media at BBC Worldwide.

“With more people now choosing to watch TV shows on their iPods, fans of series such as The Mighty Boosh and The Catherine Tate Show can now enjoy those shows wherever they are.”

“Television programming has been incredibly popular with iTunes customers in the UK,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes.

“We’re thrilled to add hit programming from the BBC with favourites including the latest ratings winner, Ashes to Ashes.”

In a statement, BBC Worldwide said that making BBC programmes available via iTunes is key to its stated objective to secure the broadest possible distribution strategy for its huge range of television content.

The BBC recently announced that it will be launching a video-on-demand (VOD) service with ITV and C4 called ‘Project Kangaroo’ (see Kangaroo Could Be A Huge Success).

Over 3.5 million programmes were streamed or downloaded on-demand on the BBC iPlayer service in the fortnight following its Christmas day marketing launch (see 3.5 million Programmes Watched On BBC iPlayer At Christmas).

BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk