BBC strikes iTunes deal with Apple

BBC Worldwide has struck a deal with Apple to sell its programming through its popular iTunes online shop in the UK.

Titles will appear on iTunes after they've had their seven day run on the iPlayer, and will cost the standard £1.89 per episode, though discounts will be available on full series.

Programming from the BBC archives will also be made available, though only ten series will be available initially. These will include "Life on Mars" and "Little Britain." A spokesperson for the BBC confirmed that more series will be added in the coming weeks.

The BBC confirmed that a new revenue sharing deal had been agreed with the production companies which make the shows, but neither the BBC nor the companies themselves would comment on the financial details.

The deal with Apple is the latest in a string of content deals signed with third parties, after the BBC inked partnerships YouTube and MySpace to share short clips. The BBC has also committed to a new video on demand service with ITV and Channel Four called Project Kangaroo.

It has also confirmed that a download version of the iPlayer will be available for the Mac before the end of the year, though there is still no word on a Linux version.

"We want to give audiences a wide variety of options on how and where to view their favourite BBC shows," says 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."

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