BBC to sell programmes through iTunes.

The BBC selling TV episodes via the Apple iTunes store right now. Hit series such as Torchwood, Little Britain and the first episode of current series Ashes to Ashes are already up.

Episodes are a rather steep  £1.89 each, or you can buy a whole season at some kind of discount (following the US model). Series 1 of Life on Mars would set you back £13.99. Mind you that's at a low  640*360 resolution with normal stereo sound, and no extras. You can get the DVD box set (i.e much higher quality image , 5.1 sound with the usual specious features) from Amazon for only another £2.

 It's a good idea, one that the BBC should have got into a long time ago, though now the BBC's own iPlayer seems to render the idea obsolete (the strategy of releasing shows on iTunes eight days is even specifically designed not to clash with iPlayer's seven day's for free policy) . The US iTunes store has thrived on selling episodes of the longer running TV series in the states where people have missed episodes and wanted to catch up. (which is why Lost was such a big iTunes hit). 

One wonders why the BBC would go down this route after launching the iPlayer.  One thing it does do is offer non license fee payers a way to see (some) BBC shows legally far sooner than waiting to rent or buy on DVD.  It should be noted that International co-productions (Such as big budget shows like the new Dr Who, produced with Canada's CBC, or the natural history documentaries produced with the Discovery Channel and Japan's NHK) are not being offered.