BBC and ITV sign deal with LoveFilm

Thanks to Sandi for the heads up.

LoveFilm has stepped up its TV rights war with Netflix, signing output deals with the BBC and ITV for new and archive shows including Doctor Who, Spooks, Prime Suspect and Above Suspicion.

The deals come as the Amazon-owned online video-rental service moves to bolster its library of TV shows and films ahead of the UK and Ireland launch of US video-on-demand subscription company Netflix in the first quarter of 2012.

LoveFilm signed a deal with Sony Pictures Television for films including The Social Network and Salt last month, while Netflix added BBC Worldwide to its catalogue.

Now LoveFilm has also signed up BBC Worldwide, getting access to shows including Whitechapel, Life on Mars and Planet Earth.

The Amazon subsidiary said the deal would make ITV content available to subscribers of its LoveFilm Instant service on the PC, Apple iPad, Xbox 360, internet-connected TVs and on the Sony PlayStation 3.

The subscription VoD agreement will include recent shows, such as Marchlands, as well as ITV's archive, including Inspector Morse, Cold Feet and Secret Diary of a Call Girl.

Source: Full Article @ guardian