Channel Five yesterday became the first broadcaster in the
UK
to launch a legal video download store, offering
DVD
-quality downloads of some of the most popular
features of its flagship car show, Fifth Gear.
Fifth Gear, produced by North One Television, is selling
downloads at £1.50 each. Titles include reviews of supercars such
as the Porsche 911, Ferrari F430 and Mercedes McLaren
SLR
. Adults can pay by debit or credit card; younger
car enthusiasts can pay using their mobile phones.
The new video and music download system has been developed by 7
Digital, the company behind download stores for several music
companies including Universal and
EMI
.
"Broadcasters have seen the revenues attainable from music
downloads and are eager to do the same with their own content,"
said 7 Digital's Managing Director, Ben Drury. "
TV
footage can work so much harder for broadcasters, with the internet
now a commercially sound distribution channel."
Richard Pearson, Executive Producer of Fifth Gear, added, "Ever
since Fifth Gear launched in 2002 viewers have regularly asked
whether it's possible to purchase content. It's great that we can
expand the Fifth Gear brand in this way and give people an
affordable opportunity to acquire high quality downloads of their
favourite moments from the archive."
