BBC looks to BitTorrent for new audience

 

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By Matt Whipp

Posted on 21 Dec 2006 at 13:18

The BBC is to make classic programming available in high definition through a BitTorrent file-sharing service.

The deal falls under the BBC's initiatve to attract as large an audience as possible and will include popular series such as Red Dwarf, Doctor Who and the League of Gentleman, as well as classic episodes of Fawlty Towers.

Downloads will be protected with DRM, so will prevent the programs from being illegally shared. The downloads will also not be free, although a pricing structure has not yet been finalised.

Access will be offered through Azureus' BitTorrent client, which includes a BBC channel in its Zudeo software.

Azureus recently made a beta available of Zudeo, which offers a YouTube-like service for high definition content.

Viewers will be able to link to shows through blogs and social networks, as well as commenting on and rating shows.

It's not the first time that BitTorrent has attracted the commercial media industry other than in the form of lawsuits.

In May, Warner became the first big studio to offer content across BitTorrent clients.

Sharman Networks, which operates the KaZaA file-sharing system, also agreed to go legal earlier in the year.