The BBC have already made its intentions to become a leader in the brave new world on online television distribution, thanks to the phenomenally successful iPlayer, and selling shows through Apple iTunes.
And now, it’s main network competitor in the UK is following suit, first by also making hit shows available through iTunes, and then by collaborating with the BBC and Channel 4 on the forthcoming Kangaroo service.
At the moment, the ITV content going on iTunes is limited to 260 hours, and includes popular shows such as Brideshead Revisited, Cold Feet, Captain Scarlet, Inspector Morse and The Saint.
Pricing & Future Plans
Each episode will cost £1.89, with avid fans being able to purchase whole series at a time. ITV executive Dawn Airey told BBC News:
[We want to] give viewers the opportunity to watch their favourite shows wherever they are. ITV has thousands of hours of classic content in the archive which we are bringing to a whole new audience.”
Newer shows than the ones currently available are being planned for release in the neat future, however, none will be appear on iTunes until at least 30 days after originally airing.
Kangaroo
ITV is also busy working with the BBC and Channel 4 on a Hulu-like on demand service named Kangaroo. The service is expected to launch later this year, and will offer over 10,000 hours of programming.
