The BBC has launched a new shopfront, the BBC Store, in which viewers can buy digital versions of the vast archive of BBC programmes, from Only Fools and Horses and Fawlty Towers, to Pride and Prejudice and the Dennis Potter Collection.
BBC programmes have been available to buy since the 1980s – first on VHS, then DVD and more recently on digital download platforms. But the new store means viewers can choose from a selection of recently broadcast programmes and TV favourites and lost gems from the BBC archive, making it the most comprehensive collection of BBC programmes ever published.
Audiences will be able to watch the programmes they’ve bought from BBC Store on BBC iPlayer as their purchases will appear in the new My Programmes area of BBC iPlayer. They can also access BBC Store directly from BBC iPlayer, to find, buy and watch BBC shows.
But BBC iPlayer itself will continue to offer the same range of programmes to watch live, catch up on and download for up to 30 days for free.
BBC Store will feature new exclusive content for Top Gear fans including Top Gear: The Races, in which Matt LeBlanc guides viewers through the most memorable moments from the show’s racing archive. For Doctor Who fans there’s a galaxy of series from early gems like the recently released classic Doctor Who tale The Underwater Menace, while natural history lovers can enjoy the BBC's most memorable documentaries such as Frozen Planet, Blue Planet and Planet Earth and new landmark series The Hunt.
Bal Samra, BBC commercial director, said: “BBC Store will make more of the treasure trove of BBC programmes available than ever before. This is a result of a collaborative partnership that the BBC has led, bringing together the whole of the creative industry and BBCWW, and which will establish a route to sustainable commercial returns to more of the sector.”
Prices for a single episode start at £1.89, while an average price for a six-part series is £7.99. You can also elect whether to buy programmes in Standard Definition or, for a little more in High Definition. In addition, there will be a number of special opening offers and price promotions throughout the year.
As an introductory offer to celebrate the launch and to get collections started, anyone registering with BBC Store will be eligible for a 25 per cent discount on their first purchase.
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