From Sherlock to David Attenborough: BBC earmarks March as launch date for new download-to-own service BBC Store

You will be able to download and keep individual thousands of programmes from the BBC's archive for the first time next spring. 

 

The iTunes-style download-to-own service, dubbed BBC Store, will go live in March 2015, following a trial early next year. 

 

Although you can already download-to-own a number of programmes, this is expected to offer a much wider range of programming, unlocking some shows that have been languishing in the BBC archives since they were first aired. 

 

According to industry bible Broadcast, pricing should be in line with market rates. iTunes users currently pay £3.99 for an HD episode of Sherlock on iTunes (or £10.99 for the entire third series) and £2.49 for an instalment of Life Story with David Attenborough. 

 

Production companies will receive 30 per cent of the revenue generated by Store, with BBC Worldwide taking 70 per cent cut.

 

Initially it will be launched on a standalone website, but will eventually be integrated with iPlayer, allowing viewers to seamlessly “search, buy and watch” via the BBC’s flagship VoD player, Broadcast reports.

 

BBC Worldwide UK, Australia and New Zealand managing director Marcus Arthur told the publication: “Our aim is for Store to do for ownership what iPlayer has done for catch-up,

 

"We think this will have substantial impact for consumers and give indies more revenue and an incremental route to market.”

 

BBC Store has been several years in the planning, and was originally codenamed “Project Barcelona”.