MUMBAI: The BBC has announced that its shows will be available for purchase and download from the iTunes Store in Canada.

This marks the first time that episodes of BBC programmes are available from a digital outlet in Canada. The new partnership complements iTunes deals already in place in the UK, US, France and Germany.

On iTunes, fans can purchase single episodes and entire seasons of BBC series including Season 11 of car entertainment series Top Gear, Season four of sci-fi series Doctor Who and the first two seasons of sci-fi series Torchwood.

Says BBC Worldwide, Canada COO Hilary Read, "BBC shows that are aired on a number of Canadian channels including BBC Canada have a huge loyal following. This is BBC‘s first digital deal specifically for Canada and we‘re delighted to be partnering with iTunes and offering our fans another way to view our wide range of top quality programmes."

Making BBC programming available on the iTunes Store is key to the strategy of BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, in securing the broadest possible distribution for its huge range of television content.

BBC Worldwide claims to be the first British broadcaster to offer its TV shows for download in Canada.