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February 18, 2008

itunes_store

BBC shows finally on iTunes… in the UK

Posted Feb. 18, ’08, 7:22 PM PT by Thomas Gagnon-van Leeuwen
Category | iTunes » iTunes Store
BBCshows.jpgThe TV show (sorry, TV programme) section of the UK’s iTunes store just got a whole lot more appealing with the addition of content from the BBC. Little Britain, Life on Mars, Spooks — they and a few more shows are all here (iTunes link).

For the future, iTunes promises more content, but this is a good start for British customers. As anyone living outside the U.S. is painfully aware, iTunes video content is seriously lacking outside Uncle Sam’s country. (Hey iTunes Canada, can we get some more too? Pretty please?)

Uncle Sam must remember, however, that he can’t yet enjoy the BBC’s shows at home, and as our UK readers are sure to point out, probably never will. See, the first B in BBC stands for British, as in “the government who gets tax money from Brits to fund the BBC”. (If I come off as a crazy Canuck who doesn’t know what he’s talking about, let me know below.)

Bottom line: enjoy the entertainment that’s available to you!

4 Comments

GTG said:

Well there is that channel I tune into occasionally titled BBC America...

But, I'm guessing like most of the content on that channel, we'll have to wait a little while longer to get it. Ah well, better late than never...

February 18, 2008 7:47 PM
Kelmon said:

I've seen lots of comments that basically go along the lines of "why bother when the iPlayer gives you access to the shows for free" but this represents something more important - local content. While it was great that Apple made TV Shows available for purchase outside the US it was damned annoying that the only content available were US shows. While I don't think that I'll be making many purchases it does at least indicate that local content will be available and I really hope that the level of it expands nicely.

For me, since I cannot access the BBC iPlayer service because I live outside the UK this new selection is very welcome as I do still have a UK iTunes Store account.

February 18, 2008 11:49 PM
Byron said:

Maybe those Brits wouldn't mind from extra funding in the form of US dollars? I'd love to get a my fill or British humor through iTunes.

February 19, 2008 12:16 AM
simon said:

Not so!

Whilst the BBC has to provide their content for free in the UK, they can still make money off DVD sales etc. through BBC Worldwide.

BBC Worldwide can also sell BBC content outside of the UK, so there is no reason why - aside from rights deals - why you won't see BBC content on iTunes in the US.

The only things that might stop this are individual deals fro shows e.g. if show X is sold to HBO, HBO might be allowed to then sell the content on under their banner - it depends on the rights approach that BBC Worldwide takes in the US and other markets...

February 19, 2008 6:02 AM

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