Rumor: BBC and Apple set to announce iTunes deal

Apple and the BBC could announce details of a plan to distribute BBC content via iTunes as early as tomorrow. The Register is reporting that a "TV industry source" says the BBC's content distribution arm has been working with Apple on the deal.

The BBC already offers a way to watch TV shows that have aired in the last 7 days using its online iPlayer video service. But the iPlayer is only available to UK residents, who pay for BBC content with their taxes dollars.

It's not clear at the moment whether the iTunes downloads will be available outside of the UK or not. On the one hand, an international deal would represent a new revenue stream for the BBC. On the other hand, Apple charges almost twice as much money for TV show downloads in Britain than in the US.

The BBC press office decline to comment on the rumor.

Update: It looks like BBC content is now available at the UK iTunes store, but not the US store.

Tags: bbc, itunes, tv