The BBC has launched a new digital service that allows audiences to purchase and keep BBC programmes. BBC Store lets viewers choose from a selection of recently broadcast programmes, older popular content and content from the Corporation’s archive.
Audiences will be able to access BBC Store directly from BBC iPlayer, which 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 which launched last week, features a range of BBC drama, comedy and factual programmes, with more content added each day from BBC iPlayer and the BBC Television Archive.
The service will also offer exclusive content and collections from some of its most successful shows. Top Gear: The Races guides viewers through the most memorable moments from the show’s racing archive; for Doctor Who fans there’s a library of content from early classics through to the current series; and natural history lovers are targeted with collection featuring some of Sir David Attenborough’s most popular documentaries.
Many BBC programmes will be made available to buy on BBC Store the day after transmission including, for the first time, serial dramas such as EastEnders and Holby City.
To try and attract a paying audience to the BBC service, anyone registering with BBC Store will be eligible for a 25 per cent discount on their first purchase. The launch of BBC Store reflects the BBC’s ambition to raise more commercial income to supplement the licence fee.
“We want BBC Store to do for digital ownership what BBC iPlayer did for catch up,” said Marcus Arthur, MD, BBC Worldwide and ANZ. “BBC Store makes digital ownership really easy for audiences and means that we can begin opening up the incredible BBC television archive.”
Bal Samra, commercial director, BBC added, “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 BBC Worldwide, and which will establish a route to sustainable commercial returns to more of the sector.”