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BBC launches download Store

The BBC has launched its buy-to-keep BBC Store download service today but insisted it will not affect the availability of its content via iPlayer or SVoD services such as Amazon Prime and Netflix.

BBC Store offers shows such as Peaky Blinders

BBC Store offers shows such as Peaky Blinders

BBC Store, which is integrated into the existing iPlayer, offers viewers the chance to download and keep shows from its back catalogue for £1.89 (US$2.91) per episode or £9.99 for a complete series.

The initiative is part of the corporation’s aim to make more than £1bn through its commercial arm BBC Worldwide (BBCWW) during the next five years as it fights the effect of being forced to meet the cost of free TV licenses for pensioners, which the government signed off on earlier this year.

The service will allow users to stream or download more than 7,000 hours of content, rising to 10,000 hours within the first year.

Shows include in-house BBC productions such as Doctor Who and The Office, but also shows made for the pubcaster such as Peaky Blinders and Poldark.

The head of BBCWW UK Marcus Arthur has assured viewers that series will continue to be available through Amazon, Netflix and other SVoD services where that’s currently the case, adding that shows will still be made available for free through the iPlayer for 30 days after their premiere.

Arthur said: “All the BBC content that you can see on Amazon and Netflix, you’ll continue to see it there. So this isn’t us taking it off there, you’ll still be able to enjoy it there. You’ll still be able to enjoy it on DVD, and now as a new way, you’ll be able to enjoy it on download to own.

“BBC iPlayer content will still remain free for 30 days, and will give you a heads up that it is still free before you buy. And you can watch programmes you’ve bought from Store on iPlayer.

“For the last 30 years, people have generally understood that if they wanted to own and keep something from the BBC they’ve had to pay for it and they’ve bought it. That’s true of them buying books and magazines and it was really true of them buying DVDs. And this is just another version of that.”

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