The hugely successful iPhone and iPad apps from the BBC giving user access to BBC video content is launching an international version today. Fans of British television will be able to pay a subscription to the service to both stream shows and also download them for offline viewing – something not currently possible with the UK version.
The project is being run by BBC Worldwide, the BBC’s commercial arm, and will cost €6.99 per month with an annual subscription available for €49.99 and available in 11 European countries: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, The Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.
In contrast to the UK version, however, the service will not provide access to the last seven days of television broadcasts, but instead provide a showcase of BBC shows old and new such as Fawlty Towers and Sherlock. These old shows are not available to UK viewers and that may cause some consternation from License Fee payers – those who provide the bulk of BBC income.