Facebook video rentals coming from BBC

Stephen Withers
Wednesday, 13 July 2011 13:19

Your IT - Entertainment

The BBC is about to start offering TV show rentals through Facebook. First off the block will be a collection of classic and new-look Doctor Who stories.

Starting on July 14, the BBC will offer nine Doctor Who stories for rental on Facebook. Prices have not been announced (payment will be via Facebook credits), but the rental period will be 48 hours.

The collection will include digitally-remastered stories such as 'Tomb of the Cybermen' (the earliest story from the Patrick Troughton era for which the BBC still has all the episodes), 'The Greatest Show in the Galaxy' (a Sylvester McCoy story that has yet to be released on DVD) as well as 21st century stories such as 'Silence in the Library' (David Tennant) and 'End of the World' (Christopher Eccleston).

"As we have grown internationally, we've seen through our Facebook channel that fans who are loving the new series are asking for a guide into our rich Doctor Who back catalogue," said John Smith, chief executive of BBC Worldwide. (If you don't appreciate the choice of spokesperson, see this Tardis Index File page.)

"Our approach to Facebook and other leading edge platforms is to be right there alongside them in fostering innovation. We see this service as a perfect way to give our fans what they want, as well as a great way for them to get their fix between now and the autumn when Series Six continues."

BBC rentals will be available in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.